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.
Wonderful chili, I’ve tried many many different recipes for chili and this is by far my favorite one.
Great recipe! I might add a second can of beans. But I felt the spices and their measurements were perfect!
We love this recipe! I double the cayenne and add a 4 oz can of diced chilis. I also used black beans or pink beans-whatever I have. I used southwestern diced tomatoes if I have them. We like it with a little heat!
Best Chili ever😋 I make it exactly as shown. I always double the recipe so I can freeze half for later.
perfection
Best chili I’ve ever made! I love the classic flavor and how simple it was to make.
So easy and so good!! I accidentally used the larger cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, so I added a can of black beans as well and another tbsp of chilli powder and cumin. It worked great and provided lunches for the next day!
I like a very basic chili. We are wimpy when it comes to spicy heat and it has been hard for me to find a good recipe . This is a Great recipe. The first time I made this I did it all as stated. It was good, but for us the cumin was a little overpowering. The second time I halved the amount of cumin. That was perfect. When I make this again I will probably cut back on the salt a little as well. When eaten with crackers it tastes a little too salty. Overall a great recipe and worthy of 5 stars! Thank you! Very good!
My family and I love this recipe! It’s a staple in our house. We love chili. I love to add celery and corn to add extra colour ☺️
Made this tonight and it turned out AMAZING! My husband said it’s the best chili he has ever had 🙂
My go to chili recipe!
I love this recipe
But instead of diced tomatoes I use mild rotel. I love the taste of rotel
Solid recipe. The only adjustments I would make next time – due to personal preference – are to reduce the sugar and increase the spice by adding a jalapeno.
Generally a good recipe but I felt that 2 tbsp of cumin was excessive, I added 1 tbsp and still found it to be too cumin-y. I will add a tsp next time.
Very good recipe! I definitely add the cayenne plus some. Even with that I would put spice factor at mild to moderate. I also sometimes add some smoked paprika or liquid smoke to give it some depth. Easy enough for a weekday night
So amazing because I looked on 5 different sites and I couldn’t find where they had both ingredients and how to make it!
so simple! The flavour from this spice blend is awesome
I highly recommend it
Great high source of protein.
I added diced green peppers and used white kidney (cannelloni) beans, dinner is in 3 hrs.
Thankyou so much
I found this recipe a few months ago and, my guys love it !!! Thanks
THE best chili!!! I am a huge fan of chili, I even crave it during pregnancies! I omit the cayenne because I have kids and I add dashes of green pepper Tabasco instead. SO good!
Finally got the chance to make this and it’s freaking awesome. I will be trying no more recipes. Thank you for this!!!!
I have made this recipe so many times and my family loves it. I leave out the sugar and substitute red beans for the kidney beans, but that is just my personal preference.