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.
The only thing for me is, I would put a little bit less sugar, but I haven’t finished cooking it yet, but from what I taste a little bit on the suicide saw matting more ingredients, but ooh baby delicious!! and may I add for the working moms and ones who don’t wanna spend forever in the kitchen this 30 minute meal…OHHH jump on it
Thank you! This is the best chili I’ve ever tasted, and ever made. My friends agree. I’m so pleased to have your recipe.
I followed this recipe exactly, and it came out absolutely delicious 😋 the only thing I did differently was doubled the recipe!! My family loved it as well, not too spicy with the perfect amount of flavor! This will definitely be my new go to chili recipe! Thanks for sharing!!
I made it for a town event and received so many compliments!!!
My Italian SIL says it is perfect and then added green chilis and a pinch of salt. The sugar is just a tad over my taste but over-all I would give this recipe 10/10!!
Nice recipe! I modified the spices a little to my taste…less cumin…added paprika. Very simple, quick recipe with great results!
This was delicious and easy!! Definitely saving this one for later. Only thing I’ll change next time is giving it a bit more time to simmer so the spices have more time to break down.
Seriously the best! I like mine spicy hot so I use the full measurements of cayenne and a bit more. I’ve made this numerous times and this is a bomb recipe just like I remember how my mom made growing up.
Best chili recipe ever! Thank you for sharing!
I have prepared this chili recipe several times. It has a very traditional flavor using traditional ingredients. I make it according to the original recipe, but I would caution using cayenne pepper sparingly. I do not omit it though because it helps make the chili have a little heat. Most chili connoisseurs require that ingredient. However, this chili is flavorful enough to leave it out if you desire. Heat lovers can always add it to their bowls for personal taste.
Thanks for this recipe! I’ve made bad chili many times before I found this. Amazing. I didn’t use the tomato sauce or paste, and added green chilies instead. Not on purpose, but forgot to buy them. Accidentally used fire roasted tomatoes. WOW! Oh, and used chicken broth, cuz it’s all I had. WOW!!!
We’ve made this recipe so many times, so many years! Thought it was time to leave a review! This recipe is perfect as is, wouldn’t change a thing. We love to serve it with cornbread. Soooo good
Made this tonight!! I’m from Louisiana so of course I added more seasonings but besides that this chili is amazing!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Cooked as directed but doubled recipe. I think the cumin was too strong, would cut back a little next time.
I have been making this for years and my 93 year old neighbor loves it !!! He actually said that it is better than his chili.
But … here is my question … did you use “real” chili powder (no added ingredients ) OR what is sold in stores, which contains cumin and other stuff in the chili powder?
I’m the only one allowed to make chili now! Ty for this recipe!
This is delicious i leave out the beans to lower the potassium (per doctor’s request). My huband loves the cayenne so we use it! Thank you for such a quick and easy recipe. We love it!
Delightful, delicious pot of chilli. Used a lb of chilli meat, 1/2 lb of ground. Only 1 spoon of sugar
This will make a wonderful bowl of Frito pie tomorrow when the cold and rainy weather moves in. Thank you!
This is literally the best chili recipe in the entire world. My family devours this chili every time I make it. We just can’t get enough of it. This recipe definitely deserves 1000000/10. Love love love it!
I used 2c of beef broth from my crockpot roast and shredded about 1lb of the roast (instead of ground beef) for this chili. Doubled the kidney beans. It turned out excellent.