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.
This recipe was waaaayy off on the spices!!!! I used only half of what was called for and my throats was burning 🔥. Think think they meant teaspoon not tablespoon. Very disappointed ☹️
AMAZING! I made this for my family and made the mistake of saying, “this chili is perfect” in front of my wife who responded,” better than mine?”
I responded, “actually, yes”. So you know it has to be good.
😁
This chili was delicious! I’m saving it to add to my rotation during the colder weather. I omitted the cayenne pepper to keep it mild for my little ones. We all loved it!
This is my favorite chili recipe! I use fire roasted crushed tomatoes in place of diced, and a little more cayenne.
I can’t believe how good this chili was. Delicious!
Very good but….be careful with cayenne pepper. Too much even for me. Added an additional can of tomatoes to tame it and served with sour cream. Will make again without cayenne! 🥵
Thank you so much for this recipe! Much better than some others I’ve had. Your’s is TOPS!!!
👍👍
This is the best delicious chili that my son shared with me.
My first time ever making chili. It needs more kick to it. I did cut back on the garlic. I did not use cayenne. I will try it again. Thanks for the receipt
Absolutely delicious. This will be my go to chili recipe going forward. Thank you so much.
So good and so easy to make!!! Going to have to make a bigger batch
Great chili. This my go-to recipe
Just made this for dinner and it was delicious! I’m vegan so I subbed impossible ground. Seasoning is perfect. This is a definite keeper.
This was the best chili recipe I have ever made!! I will keep this forever!!!!
I didn’t have beef stock, so substituted with chicken broth. Used pinto beans bc that’s what I had in the pantry. It was delicious 😋 Good job on this perfect chili recipe!
This was literally the most incredible chili that I’ve ever had!!!! It was the perfect amount of sweet and spicy. And so so easy. And the hubs loved it. UGH SOOOO good cant wait to make it again soon.
AWESOME! Tastes Amazing! Thankyou
Great recipe for Chili! Next time I will double this. Wasn’t enough for my family of 3. It was a hit with cornbread!
OH MY!! This is SOOO good! I cut back on the chili powder. Used water instead of broth and tomato puree instead of diced tomatoes (just eyeball for consistency) and HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL! Oh this is so good!! Definitely making again!
This is a great recipe. So so tasty. Thanks for sharing.