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.
Great recipe. I added a few ingredients and it’s delicious. I use half hot Italian sausage and half ground beef. I add a bell pepper and jalapeño with the onion and omit the cayenne. I add fresh garlic, but i don’t omit the garlic powder. It’s delicious every time. 😋
So I just made this for dinner tonight, i quadrupled the recipe cause we have a big group to feed and like left overs. It’s been quite the hit, my husband gave glowing reviews. We did not add cayenne. My husband probably would like it, but I didn’t have any. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!!
I loved the chili recipe. It went over well with my family!
I followed your recipe pretty close but realized I had no kidney beans but I did have some great northern beans. ( No one noticed). Where I deviated to add my own little flair was… I added ground chipotle pepper instead of cayenne. I love the flavor of chipotle so much. I use it often. And I figured this would be a great add. And it was. Very smoky and yummy. Everybody said so. Thank you
amazing chili great with the cayenne pepper !!
I’ve made this recipe once following the directions and it was amazing except I used tomato juice instead of beef broth. My family now has a favorite recipe and have requested I make it again tonight. Thank you for this awesome recipe.
How many ounces a serving for the 6 servings?
This is a great recipe! I made it a couple of weeks ago and my wife said it was the best chili I’ve ever made. I made it again yesterday and entered it into our neighborhood chili cookoff and took first place! It’s a winner for sure.
I needed a quick and easy last minute, hot and hearty Halloween meal and I found it. I used all the handy ingredients I had in my pantry aside from substituting in black beans. I did leave out the cayenne only because I don’t care for it. My chili-loving teen was impressed with the flavor and thickness and that I whipped it up in a hot minute. Served over rice, topped with cheddar and a dollop of sour cream it was delish!!
Just won my office chili cook off contest with this chili. Except I used half regular chili powder and half kashmir chili powder. Called it kashmir chili. Thanks for the help and have a great one.
Made it for a chili cook off at my church my pot was the only one empty at the end of the night
Best chili recipe. I made the recipe without any changes. It’s fast, delicious and everyone loves it. I serve it with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped white onion, and fresh chopped lettuce for the toppings.
Make a double batch. Even better the next day.
I’ve made this chili 4 times now and have followed the recipe as-is each time. This is definitely the perfect chili recipe!
I wanted to try a new recipe. I have a very good one but it uses McCormick seasoning packets. This is now my new chili recipe! The seasoning is on point and everyone loved it! Served with a jalapeño cheddar cornbread with honey butter and everyone loved it! Thank you!
Bedt Chili Ever! My family loved it. My boyfriend thought it was the best chili he ever had.
This chili was the all time best! My family loved it And another family member missed out on its goodness. Can’t wait to try it on nachos.
This recipe was great!! I adjusted a little to taste, but this guideline was on point.
Outstanding recipe. Way beyter than most restaurant chili. Great flavor. Easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Waaaaay too much cumin! If you want a chili with a southwest flavor, then this is the recipe, but it is NOT traditional. Even if you wanted a southwestern flavor, this amount of cumin is overpowering.