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.
I made this without Cayenne pepper and it was perfect!
Hum delicious with a few modifications! I used only a 1/2 tb sugar and 1tb everything but the elote seasoning from Trader Joe’s (it has both cumin and Chile pepper) . Everything else was the same. It was perfect!
I have made several different chili recipes in my 30 years of cooking and this is by far my favorite. I share it with everybody, Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!
This is my go to chili recipe. I’ve made this about 50 times only leaving out the salt and pepper. My family loves it. I serve it with saltine crackers, sliced cheese, and sour cream.
By far the best chili recipe yet! Thank you for sharing!
Easy and amazing chili. I modified it a little bit and used rotel tomatoes with green chilies. Also added a can of black beans and doubled tomato sauce. Served with honey butter corn bread. Great for a chilly rainy evening.
Followed the recipe to a T except for the amount of cumin I put into it, I put 1 tablespoon because I’m not. big cumin fan. This is my first time cooking Chili ever and I have to say it came out darn good.
This was so easy and probably the best chili I have ever made! A combination of spicey with a hint of sweet. I did not have garlic powder, so used chopped garlic. Delicious 🥰
If you want to blow your guests or family away, I recommend these “secret sauce” additions. Fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and substitute Vegeta for salt. Trust me.
great
Easy and delicious
Great recipe!
Too much cumin for our family. Other than that, it was good!
I love chili but always thought it would be too difficult to make (or take too long). I found this recipe a few days ago and couldn’t wait to tey it… And wow! Amazing!
I made is as directed, let it simmer a few mins longer, and served it with tortilla strips, cheese, and crusty bread. I’m obsessed!
I made this Best Chili since we had a cold spell. It was absolutely delicious. Thank you and so easy!!!
This recipe was very easy to follow and the chili turned out perfect! It was delicious!
This recipe so mf good! Dont mean to curse but good god almighty! 🤣
I just made this recipe and it was DELICIOUS!! Just the right combination of everything. I couldn’t find sugar, so used honey. Used beef bouillion plus water for the broth. Otherwise I think I was quite faithful to the recipe and will make it again. (I’ve had many chilis over DECADES and do feel this is one of the best, if not the best).
This is perfect!! 😋
It’s so easy and is delicious!