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.
Best Chili Recipe Ever!!!
I tweaked the recipe as well I added onion powder and paprika also used dark red kidney beans along with the red kidney beans I did two cups of beef broth and I didn’t have tomato sauce so I used tomato soup with a pinch of corn starch .. it was soo good with corn bread on a cold day
I added sweet potatoes, portobello mushrooms, zucchini, a tablespoon each of balsamic vinegar and cocoa. Rich and delicious!
This is a wonderful chili!! The spice blend is great. I added a few heaping tablespoons of Trader Joe’s Corn and Chili Tomato-less Salsa to kick it up a notch. Thank you for such a great versatile recipe!
Make this all the time and it’s the best!
This is easy and the best chili I have ever eaten!
It’s cold out side and I wanted some Chili, and this recipe is a five-star recipe, so I had to try it ,and didn’t take long at all and man it’s good !!! I added a couple of Jalapenos and that was the ticket..
The recipe is amazing I got raving reviews at a potluck. I do suggest however skipping the Cayenne pepper. I had to dilute it because of the spice. It sneaks up on you. To dilute it I used more paste and a little milk. You can use ketchup as well.
Very good loved it!
Next time I make it I will skip the sugar. It’s distractingly sweet to me, but everything else about it is great.
I cannot believe how delicious this spice blend was. I like to grind all my spices up together with a mortar & pestle before I add them just to see if the flavor is where I want it to be and I was AMAZED by this combo. Perfect perfect perfect. I subbed tomato soup for the tomato sauce, added a bay leaf, fish sauce, paprika & corn. Love this recipe thank you
No leftovers and so easy.
Easy, quick, and very good!
This is my go-to chili recipe, we love it! I will heat it up a bit by using hot Rotel for some of the diced tomatoes and I substitute pinto beans (personal taste)but your recipe is the best!! Thank you for sharing❤️
Made the chili recipe, and delicious, reminds me of my mom, I think she made it like once a week, very economical! I serve mine with grated cheddar cheese & a spoonful of sour cream and of course a big loaf of hard crust Italian bread, if you want a salad on the side!
This will be our go-to chili recipe from now on! This seasonings are on point. I added diced green pepper and pasta noodles. So yummy 🤩
Great recipe. I made a larger portion than usual this time and it’s on the thinner side. How do I thicken it up?
This is classic chili. Super delicious. Just the right spices. Everyone in my family loved it. I will definitely use this recipe the next time I make chili. Yummmmm
Fantastic chili!!!! My family LOVED it! I will make again for sure.
Excellent taste!