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 added about 1 1/2 tsp of worchteshire to it and a dash more of garlic and onion powder and cumin. Without my added it was still delicious as is!!!
This recipe is exactly as described…The Best Classic Chili! Like my mom used to make, but sorry mom, this one is actually even yummier. This is our new go-to chili recipe. Thank you!
Absolutely the best chili I have ever enjoyed. I will not order it, when out to dinner any more !!!
Best recipe I have tried. But I had to cut down on cumin for my hubby!
Sometimes I get two pots going at once: I follow the same steps in each, except in one pot, I exclude the meat and replace the beef broth with vegetable broth. Both are fantastic! I’ve made this recipe a dozen times, and it’s always the BEST chili recipe I’ve ever encountered! For my taste, I sometimes use less cumin so it has a flavor more similar to what I grew up with in the Midwest.
Delicious! For thirty years, I have made different chili recipes, looking for a permanent recipe that everyone in the family loves. This is it. The first time I try a recipe, I follow the recipe exactly. I have tried many, many chili recipes-with green peppers, with red wine vinegar, with chocolate. All those were good. This recipe was great, as is. Finally!! Writing it down in the family cookbook.
Great recipe, but just a bit too much cumin – but that’s my personal preference. Will make it again, but will cut the cumin in half.
Hi I did not have any cumin will that make a big difference in the taste of is there something I can substitute for it thank you
Great recipe! Easy to make and very tasty. I only added some garlic to the chopped onion, and less chili powder.
Subbed extra firm tofu for the beef & veggie broth instead of beef broth. 10 out of 10!!
This was soo delicious!! Very easy to follow. I did not add the cayenne because I don’t like spicy foods, but this chili had plenty of flavor without it. Will definitely make this again.
Very good. I made it for Super Bowl and everyone lovedy it! I will definitely make this again. Thanks
I really liked the flavor and ease of this dish. I was very nervous about adding a whole teaspoon of cayenne pepper, but I did. And it was perfect. I only used 2 1/2 TBS of sugar because I didn’t want it to be too sweet. But next time I will use the 3 TBS and make as written. Then the balance between the pepper and the sugar will be right on. This is the first recipe I’ve made from The Wholesome Dish and I will not doubt your ingredient measurements again! I will mention that the key to a very flavorful sauce is to make sure you drain the fat. I put the sauce into a fat separator measuring cup and then I don’t have to worry. Also, look for the very best short ribs you can find. If they are too fatty it will spoil the meal, in my opinion. Thank you and enjoy!
Truly best chili! Has a kick plus sweetness. Excellent balance of both flavors. Will be my go to chili for now on!
Best Chili ever. I love the taste of the spices.
Very tasty. I Added rotel tomatoes and green chillies.
I’ve made this multiple times. Fast, easy and delicious!
This is one of the best chili recipes I have ever tried. The ingredients are awesome, the consistency is perfect and it truly is a classic timeless chili
Very nice, not too spicy.
This is an excellent recipe! So tasty