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.
Great chili. I left out the sugar and added another can of beans. Reminds me of Culver’s chili.
Best ever!
Made this recipe for a local soup fest and it got 2nd place. Got a lot of good comments on it.
Family loved it! This recipe will replace the one we were using!
Are the spice amounts correct? Its seems like a TON of spices for only a pound of ground beef. Should they be teaspoons instead of tablespoons?
those are def correct, that’s how much I usually use. You have to think you are adding a lot more stuff too, and a bunch of broth. but season to taste, if you think that will be too much, then do less.
I’m pretty sure it’s a tablespoon since chili involves adding liquid, it’ll ensure that your meat is still seasoned and your chili is flavorful.
The title gets this one right—it is the BEST chili recipe I have found. It satisfies all of my cravings for chili powder, cumin, garlic, etc. I’ve made it numerous times exactly as written, but today I added another can of beans. It is delicious both ways. Thank you!!
It was good! Will add 1/2 cup more broth and only 1 tbsp. of cumin next time.
This is the perfect chili
I was thinking the same thing but I just made it for dinner. They are correct.
Simply Seriously Good Chili !!
Looks and smells great so convenient on busy weeknights
My family has NEVER thanked me for making chili for supper… until tonight! They all loved it and had seconds. I will be, for sure, keeping this recipe. (Oh, and this is only the second time I left a recipe comment… it’s that good!)
I have religiously only ever made this chili recipe. While the tablespoon might seem like a lot, it’s perfect when you let it simmer down for a while, perfect amount of flavor!
Perfection!
This is the best Chilli I have ever made, I’ve made it 4 times since the weather got cooler, we love it thank u sooo much for sharing 😊
Tried this recipie and it was super easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing.
Delicious but would leave sugar out next time
G00D…..
Excellent amount of spices. I added 2 types of beans, corn and a small can of green chiles. Delicious.
This is a great recipe. My husband loved it and he’s a chili snob!
I used fresh garlic and a touch of ancho chili powder and chipotle chili powder. No cayenne.
Will definitely be making this again!!
Best chili recipe around and I think I’ve tried all of the top ones on the internet. This has become my go to Chili recipe. So, so delicious!
Can I use this recipe for canning?
Pretty delicious 🤤 I too have kiddos that require a less spicy chili so I omitted the cayenne. Other than using fresh ingredients over canned, I followed this recipe. It’s a keeper. Thank you 💜💐
Delicious! It was hard not to go back for another bowl!
This truly is the Best Classic Chili recipe. I tried multiple chili recipes before finding this one and this is now my go to!
Changes: I use half of the sugar she recommends and it’s still amazing (I use cane sugar). Also I do add the cayenne and I don’t find it spicy at all.
I recommend pairing with the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits… it’s SO YUMMY.
Thank you for this recipe!!!
Best chili recipe in my opinion
This chili was so so good! I did the onions and ground beef step and then threw it all in the slow cooker and it came out so flavorful. I’ve tried so many recipes but this one is by far the best. For leftovers you could throw in some macaroni and bake with cheese for some chili mac!
I skipped the sugar completely. Tastes great without
Agreed. I used the sugar, and decided I’d like the chili even more without it. Still, we loved it.
I was looking for a new chili recipe and came across this. So glad I did. I cut the sugar in half and added another can of beans and it was absolutely delicious. Best part is that it took about 30 min from start to end. Will be making this a lot this Fall and Winter!!
This recipe was incredibly easy to follow and turned out great. I was happy to find it was able to accommodate a couple additions as well (bell peppers, mushrooms, paprika).
I use this recipe all the time. We all love it here.!!!
I have tried several chili recipes and this was the best one ever. My husband absolutely loved it and said this was the best one I have ever made. Thank you for sharing this recipe, definitely keeping it and will be my go to chili recipe.
Delicious!!!! My husband says best chili I’ve ever made and I’ve made several different recipes. I’ll definitely be making this one again.