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.
Made this vegan with beyond beef. It was delicious. Will be doubling the batch next time.
Just made this last night for my family and it was a hit – even with the 2-yr old toddler (left out the cayenne). Thanks for such a “simple” recipe that’s absolutely delicious!!
I made only one change: adding a can of pinto beans in as well. I’ve never made chili before, but this was delicious! I served it with sour cream, Fritos, cheese, and green onions. If you’re making this, don’t decrease the spice amounts! It seems like a lot, but it’s perfect as is. Thanks so much, Amanda!
Cooked this last night Did the exact except I used chicken broth it came out delicious I had seconds and my son loved it he went to bed less than 3 hrs later lol will be trying this recipe again
Is this fine to let simmer for a few hours , or is it really that quick of a recipe? I was looking for an easy chili to use up my cornbread from ribs last night but I am not used to fast chili or hard beans, we normally make a giant pot that slowly cools all day. I have 2 babies, so it’s easier to toss something together while they are napping and I never know when hubby gets off work
I saw this while looking for a different recipe for chili. Found this one, it sounded good so decided to try it. I was going to ask my husband how he liked it but before I could ask, he said, ” this is very good ” and gave me a thumbs up. The only change I made was I only added 1 TBS cumin instead of 2 TBS. That’s a strong spice to me. Anyway, 1 TBS was plenty for us. This will be my forever chili recipe. So good!!Jan
I just made this chili and I am so pleased with the way it turned out. It is delicious!
Just made this for dinner and it was amazing! So delious i will be making it again
I made my chilli then looked up other recipes saw this one and its the same as mine! Except I use 80 percent lean ground beef has nice spice but my 5 kids all eat it.
The leftovers are the best part make chilli mac or chilli fries ect..
Hi I wanted to do chilli so bad, never done it before. I have only eaten the chillis from Wendy’s.
So tonight I started looking for recipes online and this one was the easiest one.
I did changed some ingridients because didn’t have them available tonight, but it still came out so delicious.
I didn’t have crushed tomatoes, only used the tomatoes sauce.
Didn’t have pinto beans, but used kidney beans and lentils.
Didn’t have beef stock, so I used water.
Sorry for all the swaps of ingredients.
Will buy all the ingredients you mentioned and will do it again.
This’ll be the second time I’ve made this for my family the first time I went exactly off the recipe. This time I made a few “quick-fix” changes, I used vegetable broth instead of beef, and the tomatoes had jalapeños. My family loves it on the more spicy end, and it’s already made my kitchen smell yummy! So I know just like the first time it’ll be a hit.
Not too spicy or sweet. Just right and so easy. Will use again.
Easy and quick to make. Absolutely delicious
OMG thanks for the recipe the chili came out amazing my hubby has been trying to eat more protein this was my first time making chili and it was a hit with my husband and son they loved it.
This was the perfect chili. I didn’t use the cayenne and opted for the adults to add chili sauce if needed. Because of the kids. This chili was amazing and a big hit at family affair. It is a true staple to my table now. And so easy to make. Thank you!
Smoky, sweet and delicious!
I use this recipe for meal preps. I will also make this for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks so much sharing. My fav. Chili so far!
Really good chili recipe! Even without the cayenne pepper is spicy enough for the average palate!
This recipe won me the 2nd place in a seriously competitive 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off at work…thank you so much! Love how basic and balanced this recipe is, can be spiced up with a jalapeño topper, for those who want more spice 🙂
Fantastic recipe. So simple and so tasty. My whole family love it!
Great recipe!! Next time I will try with 2 cans of beans. Thanks for sharing