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 go-to chili recipe! Thank you for sharing.
We love this. I have been making chili for years with only mediocre results. My family raves and it is simple for me.
I reduce the sugar and add some herbs. Bellisimo!
Paulette
Great chili recipe!
We loved it!
Left out the sugar and cayenne.
I have made this several times, it is my go to for chili, love it!!
I add 4 cans of beans to stretch the meal among a house of hungry college kids. So good every time!
Great recipe! I did add green and red peppers and fresh garlic, as well. Also used my slow cooker after browning meat w/ veggies. But great flavor!
I made this recipe to “try out”. My family and I ate every last bite in one day. It was so unbelievably good! I barely made any changes to the original recipe, but I increased the cayenne and chili powder a little. YUM!
My favorite recipe for a long time now. Everyone loves it
I think I would have really loved this had I left out the sugar or maybe left half of the sugar out. Great recipe, just a bit too sweet in my opinion.
I was looking for a simple recipe, because I lost my mom’s, and found this recipe. It is delicious and fast to make. I have never used beef broth in chili before, but will from now on.
Can I cook this recipe in a crockpot after browning the meat?
Best chili I have ever made family loves it clean bowls every time 🥰
This is the best chili I’ve ever made. You must try it. It’s so easy and delicious. I used fire roasted diced tomatoes and it just added to the flavor.
This was very good and very easy. I left out the sugar and didn’t miss it.
I added the cayenne and figured I could offset it by mixing in some sour cream for my son who doesn’t love spicy food. It was still too spicy for him.
But I thought it was pretty perfect.
Great tasting and easy to make chili. I added a half cup of frozen corn. Next time I would leave the broth out. We like a thicker chilli.
I have never made chili the same…always with a new recipe. But THIS has just earned my “go to” recipe for Chili!
Very good!!
The seasonings in this recipe are perfect. I used 2 packets of Stevia instead of the sugar (better for diabetics), but followed the rest of the recipe exactly. This is a recipe you can adjust to suit your taste – add more beans, leave out the sugar, omit the cayenne pepper, etc. The seasonings will still be perfect. Very pleased with the end result!
I loved this recipe! Since a lot of reviews commented it was sweet, I put half the sugar it called for. I also puréed a tomato instead of using tomato paste. It came out perfect!
love your recipe. Use it all the time.my husband does not like so much tomato so beefy flavor works well.