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.
My favorite chili recipe! I’ve used this recipe a dozen times now, usually multiplying the ingredients by 3 or 4 because I can eat a lot of it. Good by itself or with toppings like sour cream and cheese. Also one of the best chili dog chili’s ever. 10 out of 10.
I have made this several times! It’s delish!!!
This was so delicious and my family just loved it. Thank you 😊
I’ve been using this recipe for about 2 years, and I’ve made zero adjustments or substitutions, it’s a spectacular recipe. You could add veggies if you want, but as it stands, this makes a perfect chili
Best chili recipe I have eaten. Have made numerous times. Make double batch each time and break down and freeze. The only thing I change in recipe is an extra can of beans.
Can this be done in a crock pot?
I really like the chili and I’m usually not a big fan of chili. I made my own chili powder for a recipe I found on the internet and left out the cayenne pepper. Chili powder is what I don’t like chili and leaving the cayenne out was definitely a step in the right direction. I added a pablano pepper that was sitting around. Oh yeah, I used a can of enchilada sauce in place of the diced tomatoes and I’m sure that accounts for it taking this recipe to the next level. Very good.
I don’t generally like chili all that much but this is really good. I made something for dinner that I didn’t think my son would like so I made this chili and really liked it. I made my own chili powder because that’s what I don’t like about chili. I left the cayanne out. I had a pablano pepper to use up and added that.
I had a pack of ground beef chuck that I wanted to use up and was looking for a simple chili recipe. I stumbled onto this recipe and thought I’d give it a try. The recipe proved to be very simple and didn’t require many ingredients. I added the cayenne pepper but didn’t notice any spiciness to the flavor that was noteworthy. If you’re looking for a simple yet tasteful chili recipe, this one fits the bill.
First time making Chili, and this was a hit! We’re in Australia, so some notes for other Aussies: “Ketchup” is not just tomato sauce – its tangier. “Tomato Sauce” is Passata. American “Chili Powder” is way less spicy than ours. I think I used 1/2 a tsp of Masterfoods Chilli Ground and it was warming and spicy. DO NOT use 2.5 table spoons!! Add chilli powder to your taste 👌🏼
This chili is really good! I copied it and made it last night for supper with a lettuce salad and easy cornbread for just myself. My husband died 16 years ago and my mother died 50 years ago.
Thanks, bunches!
My Mom died before she could teach me all the cooking she did and I’m trying different recipes to find hers. This is as much like hers as I’ve found. Except I added a can of chili beans because I didn’t add cumin. I don’t have little ones and the chili beans had cumin. It was still good, even better.
best chili ever . I have made Texas chili and red chili and many many more. I was about to give up and then i found this one. FIVE STARS
Never reviewed a recipe until now! BEST chili recipe I have tried. Hands down. Saving this one as our go-to chili recipe.
This is such an easy and yummy recipe. I was looking for something easy to make and that I had everything at home for. I didn’t have tomatoe sauce, but I blended a can if stewed tomatoes and used Rotel for the diced tomatoes. I also used the cayanne pepper, and it has a bit of kick. Next time I’d use half the amount. Great flavor!! Thank you for your recipe!
Great recipe. I make it regularly and it has become my go to recipe. Thanks for sharing it!
This chilli is great! I like to add green pepper and corn. HOWEVER! if u have a premium red chili powder DO NOT use more then 1 table spoon or else its way to spicy and u can’t enjoy this. But over all I’m obsessed with this chilli.
My daughter and husband loved it.
Really delicious chili! Love Al the seasonings. Will be my new go-to recipe!
Very easy and yummy!! I add a little more cumin but love the taste and easy to make for beginner cooks!!
This is the only recipe I use. Quick and very easy to make. The only thing I add is a dollop of sour cream when serving. Also,
I reduced the amount of cumin by half but this is just a personal preference. If I want it any hotter I simply add a little cayenne pepper. There’s never enough leftovers lol.