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.
I tripled this for a party and we ran out! Hands down the best chili I’ve ever made!
(Only change was I used chipotle instead of cayenne just because I don’t like cayenne.)
So yummy, the cayenne did add a nice kick at the end. Don’t add the cayenne for the kiddos unless you’re into cruel and unusual punishment.
I’ve made this recipe several times. The chilli is excellent and it’s so easy/quick to put together. We have a family of 5 and everyone loves it.
The best recipe ever & I have tried alot of them no more store bought chili packets
Super easy super delicious! My husband said that the spices were perfect!
I used this recipe tonight for a family gathering and received so many compliments! I did add the optional cayenne pepper which I think gave it a slight kick (but it was a good amount of spice- not too much and not too little). Would definitely use this recipe again!
Excellent recipe!! Made one as listed and another without ground beef…..vegetarian. Both came out great and everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing
Sitting here in TEXAS on Christmas Eve Eve with a low temp of 22 degrees (I’m a native Texan so, for me, it’s like I’m at the North Pole. LOL!) I made a big pot of this chili (have made it many times) and it is just the ticket. DELICIOUS and PERFECT every time!!! YUM!!
Good Flavour! I would make it again but would add less liquid or simmer longer to reduce the liquid. It was a bit soupy. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Literally my favorite chili recipe ever! So easy to make and tastes amazing. I add a can of black beans to mine. This will not disappoint!
Made this it’s so delicious! I added brown sugar instead of white ugar
Yes! My husband, who is very picky, loved it!
I just cut back on the cumin because I’m not a fan of too much cumin ( I didn’t leave it out).
Great chili! I added some Andouille sausage for added flavor, but kept all other ingredients the same. Delicious!!
My family absolutely loved this chili so much so that my brother in law asked for the recipe so he could make it again the next day. It was super easy to make and I had all the ingredients on hand. Great flavor. It was a little spicy for the little one. It was cooled down for him w/some yogurt and cottage cheese and even he loved it.
Best chilli ever
My go to chili recipe!
A classic! I look up this recipe every winter, since I don’t have my mom’s recipe with me. I do add garbanzo beans (chickpeas), just like my momma does. In a bowl with some sour cream, cheddar cheese, and cornbread…YUM.
Family loved it!
Yummy. Followed recipe and was very happy with the results. I did add a little extra cumin and chili powder
I have many different Chili recipes but one is now top of list. The only change made was I used Chili Beans instead of Kidney Beans and didn’t drain the beans as I like the taste the sauce give the chili and I like my Chili more soupy than thick