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.
Our son made this recipe, compares well to my wife’s all day version.
I use frozen or canned garden tomatoes, so then I just add a Tbsp beef Better than Bullion and skip the broth.
this is the best Chili I have ever made ,and I’m pretty old,Ive made many pots! i used minced garlic and organic paste and canned tomotoes. honestly. this is fantastic .
I don’t usually leave comments, but this was a BIG hit in our household. My 2 year old decided that she “loves Chili.” Thanks for the quick and easy recipe!
My family just love this recipe. I used half the sugar as I’m not a big fan of sweet chili and it was perfect.
used this recipe to make chili for the first time and it was a hit !! I have made it like 5 more times and its still perfect ! <333
I made this recipe for our local homeless shelter as well as for my husband. It was the most delicious chili I have ever made. Just excellent.
Delicious! Definitely going to save this recipe!
This has been our favorite chili recipe since I discovered it almost 4 years ago. Guests always compliment it and go for seconds.
I like to use chili powder and cayenne, but skip the sugar because of food restrictions for some family members. Once, I didn’t have enough chili powder so I used some Hot Mexican Chili Powder and it was just as delicious! When I made it again the other night, I used half of that and half of the regular. Everybody loved it and said it was their favorite!
Hi Amanda, I am so glad to find you. Your chilli was a hit the whole family loved it. I can’t wait to explore. In your website to find other treasures.!
Excellent chili recipe! My family said this was the best chili ever. However, I did make the following changes – used two cans of kidney beans instead of 1, up the beef broth to 2 cups, and increased tomato paste to being 1 small can.
Really good! All 5 of my boys loved it! And when I find something everyone loves, that’s a BIG DEAL!!
I’ve always used Williams Chili Seasoning, but didn’t want to go to the store. I had everything for this recipe in my pantry, so tried it. It was delicious. Not going back to a premade mix!
This recipe is delicious. This will be my got to, from now on.
My family loves this recipe. We didn’t change a thing.
CHILI was very tasty. I will make this recipe again.
We have 3 boys under 8 and we all love it! Made 5 times already!
Outstanding!! Quick, simple and so good! Everyone raves about this chili.
Pretty much my recipe but I always add a grated carrot, so much better.
This is the best chili recipe I’ve ever made! It has a nice, rich flavor! Oh, I also added a little minced garlic but it probably didn’t need it.