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 was a hit!!! My family thought it was the best chili they have ever had! Definitely a keeper!
Awesome😋 👏🏽 I used 2cups of beef broth and 2 tablespoons of sugar when I taste the seasoning mix it was the perfect taste for me, so I didn’t add extra. My go to chili recipe!
Thanks! 😊
The best chili I have every made. Ingredients is on point. My whole family loves it when say sey chili for dinner
Thanks, loved it
I decided to make chili last night, but the recipe I usually use is too spicy for me right now, so I decided to find a new one that was more mild. The only modification I made was to add two large whole peeled carrots, which helped cut through the acid of the tomatoes. This recipe checks every box. Even our family in town from Minnesota loved it! My four year old ate two bowls, and I made it through the night without indigestion. This is our new go to chili recipe. Thank you!
Really tasty. Love the spice mix. Will be keeping this recipe!
Made this amazing recipe tonight, I love it! Next time I will leave out the cayenne pepper since I’m not a spicy kind of girl, but even with it it still was good!
Awesome chilli!!!!
I won’t tell my wife that my chili is better than hers.
This chili is delicious!!
The chilli was very tasty. I used left over tender roast instead of hamburger. Gotta keep stretching the dollar in simple, yummy ways
My family loves this recipe!
So good and I don’t add the sugar. I serve it over rice and top with cheddar cheese, sour cream and a splash of hot sauce!
Love the simplicity of this recipe, and it tastes incredible!!
A little too much beef broth. I’ll reduce the amount next time. Otherwise great!
Chili is amazing comes out great
I love this recipe. It’s quick and simple and it’s easy a great chili recipe to use as a base when experimenting.
Too sweet. Next time I will try 1 teaspoon. Thanks.
Great recipe, I do half the sugar though. I also exchange kidney beans for pinto beans.
I made this today because it was just me and I only had 1lb of meat. I substituted the tomato sauce with tomato purée. This worked perfect as it took some of the sweetness the other comments mentioned.
Absolutely love this recipe! I think it is the base for all perfect chili’s. I tinker with it by adding 6 different kinds of peppers, less beans, and more beef. Excellent for beginners like myself. I’be made twice within 5 days due to demand.
This is a great recipe. I’ve made it twice now. It’s delicious and easy to make. It’s now my go-to chili recipe. I left out the sugar this time to see if I miss it. It’s cooking now. Can’t wait to have some.
Best Chili recipe I have found yet!! I made this for the first time today and it was delicious!! I did throw in a chipotle in adobe sauce and it was perfect! just the right amount of kick to it.
This is such a good and easy recipe! I substitute the diced tomatoes for Rotella hot (we like spice in our household) and it’s amazing. I also upped the seasoning a bit, thanks so much for a great meal!
Excellent recipe!