The Best Classic Chili is a traditional chili recipe just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes. The only thing to chop is an onion.
I’ve been playing around with this recipe for the past few months, making it many times. My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!
How To Make Homemade Chili
Note: This is a summary. The full printable recipe and step by step video are located at the bottom of this post.
- Heat olive in a large soup pot.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce.
- Stir well.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
What do you top chili with?
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- sliced green onions
- saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- diced avocado
How To Store
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or, store in the freezer for up to three months. Transfer the container to the refrigerator to thaw the day before you want to reheat it.
Pro Tip – Is It Too Spicy?
The brand of chili powder you use will have a huge difference in how spicy your chili will be. Different brands of chili powder have VERY different levels of spiciness.
I always use McCormick Chili Powder (No affiliation) because it is flavorful without being spicy.
More Great Chili Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
The Best Classic Chili Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion -diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder*
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper** -optional
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
- Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
Yep, I tried it. My husband loved it. I’ve been looking for a recipe that I didn’t have to buy a pack of seasoning to season it. This is it. This one want be deleted
I added grated carrots and bell peppers to stretch it a little bit it is so good.
This has been by far the best chili recipe I have come across!
We have been making your chili for YEARS! It’s seriously sooo good. Although I do double the meat and add a green, red and yellow or orange bell pepper to the mix. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe!
I had to leave a review because I just noticed you live in Zionsville & I do as well! Such a small world
Pretty good chili, just sweet.
I followed the recipe as it was, and found it far too sweet. I ended up having to add a good amount of cayenne and tabasco to cut the sweetness. Next time, will not be adding sugar at all.
This is a great and easy chili recipe! I highly recommend it.
10/10 stars, delicious! Perfect heat, I added in pepperoni’s and topped with pickled jalapenos, sour cream and sharp cheddar, this recipe exceeded expectations, will def be using everytime I make chili now!
This is absolutely delicious, my family agrees!
Just made this… WOW!! So simple and easy to follow and I love the option to double or triple the recipe and not have to calculate it all over again. I also omitted the chunky tomatoes and subbed for more beans!
Excellent recipe – I doubled it to feed a family of 12 and it worked out perfectly. Some went back for seconds!
I don’t like chili-never make it. But, my husband does so I decided to make it and found this recipe. It was absolutely delicious. I did a few alterations to the recipe by using diced tomatoes with habaneros and the cayenne and yes it was hot so I served it over rice with cornbread. I still can’t believe how great it was!!! Thanks for the recipe- I will make again and again.
This chili is delicious – rich, spicy, and flavorful. My husband is a tough critic and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to make this again and will add it to the rotation.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!! Super easy & quick to make. So delicious!!! Love spicy food, Added the cayenne pepper & it’s not too spicy it’s just right!! Second time making it & the fam loved it as well. Will definitely be making again.
Very good! I doubled this and used finely diced stew meat for 1lb instead of all ground beef. Only other changes that I made were to cut down a little on sugar and salt, added a diced jalapeño, some fresh roasted Hatch NM green chile and a half cup of dark beer along with the cayenne. Perfect with a piece of corn bread or on chili dogs!
This is the best chili ever!! I have made so many recipes before and they just weren’t good but this is the best❣️
The family loved it. It is just like my mom used to make. I have tried many chili recipes; this is the best one so far. My kids asked if I could put some in their lunch boxes for school. I made no adjustments to the recipe.
My first time ever making Chili and I signed up to bring some for my sons football team dinner. This was the first crockpot of chili gone and I was told it was awesome. My family agreed 🙂 I going to be making this again!
I am a spice wuss so I left out the cayenne pepper and I added one can of fire roasted green peppers instead, it was perfect!
Great recipe, made it for the first time and will make it again. Thanks!!!!
I made a delicious chili tonight! Thank you for share recipe!
omg. OMG. I still have to bring it to a low boil then simmer. But WOW this really is the BEST chili.
Making it for my son 4 year birthday today and it is absolutely outstanding. Better than canned hormel chili with beans, and we love that one. I will only ever make this recipe.
Note:
– I forgot to get tomato sauce, so I made my own using the leftover paste. I mixed it 1:1 with water until I hit 8 oz. And added 1 clove minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to taste
-I also used the cayenne pepper (1/4tsp) and it added great flavor, not spicy at all. (If your worried about spice, just add a little less)