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.
Very tasty. I left out the sugar and added a tub of BBQ shredded pork to a double batch of the Chili. The BBQ pork replaces the sugar and adds some additional texture and flavor in addition to the ground beef. Lots of complements.
Turned out delicious! I added a couple of cloves of fresh minced garlic with the onions, a bit of paprika, and some onion powder just to jazz it up a bit, and all the picky eaters in my house loved it! For the really picky eaters, I would suggest leaving out the tomatoes or blending them up.
Good recipe
This is a winner. My go-to that I can customize easily. All the family love it.
I look at this recipe anytime I make chili as it reminds me of ingredients I may forget. I add a bit of corn to it it only brightens dish.
For a kiddo or person who won’t take heat:
Use small amount of brown sugar to theirs. Should pull out heat.
AMAZING FLAVOR, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS CHILI THE BEST I HAVE HAD …THANKS FOR THE RECIPE
Absolutely Fantastic!!!!!
I followed the exact recipe plus used the optional cayenne pepper. I have to say it was the best chili I’ve ever made! This is for sure a keeper and will be my only chili recipe going forward! You have to try this recipe!!!!
Overall tasty but too sweet for me. I’d cut the sugar by half and add to taste.
Seriously the most tasty and easy chili to throw together! This is my go to recipe, and everyone who tries it LOVES it
Simple and easy recipe to follow. I replaced the beef with turkey and the canned beans with dry beans.
Just the best I have had. Like the addition of cumin very much. Thanks brilliant ones.
WOW! I made a lot of chili over the years but this is the best ever. Enjoy!
This is incredibly good and a favorite/weekly meal in my household- I halved the cumin, added a little more sugar, halved the cayenne, and added a can of green chilis. This with sweet cornbread makes the PERFECT fall/winter meal. I will forever make this recipe
Thanks for a qwik & yummy Chili recipe! I added all your listed ingredients plus a 7oz can of chipotles in adobo sauce thst was soon to expire.
It was so good! Thanksabunch!
How did that can change the flavor?
Super delicious! The chili seasoning is amazing. I did add jalapeno. I substituted Morningstar Incogmeato plant based ground and let me tell you this is my new chili recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing great depth of flavour. We added Aurias hot chilli samba.
It really is the best Chili recipe! I have made quite a few different Chili recipes in my time and this is definitely THE best! Kudos to whomever came up with it!
Have made twice and the second time I entered Chili cook off at my church and tied for first place 🥇
Notes to self…My daughter doesn’t like tomato chunks so I blended up 4 fresh tomatoes. Also doubled the sugar. Used half the cumin. And added 1T. Dried onion powder. She loved it.
The best chili recipe! Received many compliments and people asking for the recipe! I did cut back on the cumin only because I’m not a fan.
Made this recipe, it was delicious, making it again this weekend.