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 best chili. My go to quick and easy meal. I’ve used this recipe a few hundred times by now. Whole family loves it.
Great chili! I reduced the Chili Powder to 2 TBSP and the Cumin to 1 ½ TBSP and it had enough heat without being too spicy. This is now my go-to recipe
This recipe is delicious – has become a staple in my household. It’s simple and so packed with flavor. I also love how customizable it is.
The best I made it three times already
This was the first dinner in a long time that none of my kids complained about and there was barely any leftover!! I will definitely be redoing this very soon! Thanks
I love this recipe! If possible, I’d love to have a way to measure out a serving, as I am counting calories. If anyone knows grams or cups/serving, please advise! Thanks.
Simple, hearty, flavorful and very delicious!
It’s my first time making chili and it’s definitely a keeper.
This is probably our favourite chili recipe..we’ve tried many and found this to be the most flavourful..love it..
My husband loves this recipe. It’s fool proof, I hate using prepackaged chili seasonings so this is a go to. We mix it up with half ground beef & half sausage and add in black beans along with kidney beans. It’s a fun recipe to experiment with
Love this chili! The last time I made it I didn’t have canned kidney beans, so I used black beans and it was just as delicious. Thanks for sharing this reliable chili recipe!
Delish!
Really enjoy this recipe.
Simple, but delicious
My husband found this recipe and wanted to try it even though we usually make a southwestern inspired one, so I was hesitant to try this. I’ll be the first to admit when I’m wrong and am happy I have an open mind bc this chili is my new all time favorite. Holy smokes! I’ve never had a more flavorful chili before, no joke. Only thing I slightly altered was I used about a 1/2 TBS less cumin, used 1 lb & 4oz of ground beef and didn’t add the cayenne bc of my kids. My 11 yr old son who claimed to dislike chili while it was cooking then tasted it when it was done and said it was REALLY good. The only thing I’m mad about is that I didn’t do a double batch. 😆 Thank you for the recipe!
This is really good,and we will make this again. Great blend of flavors and heat
Excellent recipe and so easy to throw together. I will cut back on the sugar next time. Just my personal preference
This is a new family favorite! Great flavor and perfect amount of heat.
So good. Didn’t need to change much. I doubled the recipe since I was making it for a big group. I took note of a previous comment and added bell peppers but only used half of the recommended sugar. Since I doubled the recipe I used the amount of cayenne the original recipe calls for and subbed paprika for the other “half”. Didn’t want it real spicy. Came out perfect. This is a true winning chili recipe. Thanks
Love this chili recipe and so did the family!! Definitely a keeper!
THIS HAS BEEN OUR GO TO CHILI! IT IS SIMPLE TO MAKE AND DELICIOUS.
This is my go to chili recipe every time!! My whole family loves it! I also skip the cayenne pepper because of the kids and just add hot sauce to the adults servings.