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.
This receipt was great! My family loved it.
We add corn and pepperoni to this as well but this chili is a family favorite !
I LOVE this recipe – I’ve made it many, many times. I use one 28oz can / box of crushed tomatoes to make things easier and I usually add 3-4 cans of beans to stretch it to two meals. I increase the spices slightly (1.5x) if I do that – although usually reduce the chili powder either way because I have little kids (sriracha for the adults!) Thank you for a great recipe!
My husband said it’s the best he’s had!
Best chili recipe!! Have been making this dozens of times by now and it never disappoints. I do add 1 cup of chopped celery and 1 cup of chopped carrots, as well as 1 4oz can of hot chopped jalapeños. Only because I want to sneak veggies for my kiddos 😂
Add about 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Yum! Great recipe!
Do you drain the burger before adding everything else?
Delicious!
I used chili powder instead and added a can of rotel tomatoes!
Instructions are easy to follow and it was easy to make. I tried many other recipes but this one is the best
I made this today for an early lunch exactly exactly as written and it is excellent. So good. Better than any packet of ready-made chili mix for sure. I like cumin so I was happy to see that you didn’t shy away from cumin in this recipe I served it with wasabi tortilla chips And it was great.
Really good recipe. Adjusted a bit. 1.5T of Cumin. 1.5T of sugar and 2 cans of kidney beans. Huge hit in our house. 👍
Love this recipe! Thank you! It’s so easy and always so good.
I love it and my co-workers are always asking me to make some for them.
Just made this and it is DELICIOUS!! 🤤
Easy to make! Delicious!! Will make again!
Love this chili! I’ve even made it with ground turkey.
This is the best chili I every make my family love it.Great job.thank so much.
This is the only chili I make now! Everyone loves it
Love this recipe!
AWESOME I HAVE MADE IT IN MEXICO MULTIPLE TIMES.
Use a bottle Indio too!