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.
Family loved it! I used brown sugar and added chunks of T bone steak. made it in the insta pot. Pressure cooked for 20 mins
I love this chili, since I first made it a few years ago it’s all I make now! I use ground turkey or sometimes I use hot Italian sauce both are good!
Is it possible to make this in a slow cooker/crock pot?
This has become my only chili I will make. It’s easy, tasty and lives up to its name.
This is the best Chili recipe very flavorful and great taste. I make it all the time. No need to look elsewhere.
Five stars!!! This is my favorite chili recipe! It is quick and easy and tastes like it has been simmering all day long.
I double the recipe because everybody has two bowls of this good stuff!
My ABSOLUTE favorite chili recipe! I’ve made this countless times, and no fails at all and is just SUPER tasty!
A nice take on chili. My family gave it 5 stars. Thanks for sharing.
BobB
I have made this probably 15 times over the past year. I keep it bookmarked and don’t use another recipe.
We are vegetarian, so I omit the beef (and I hate onions, so I omit those, too). I’m super sensitive to tomato chunk texture and it makes me feel nauseous (I’m a coward, I know), so I blend the tomatoes with an immersion blender before I add the beans (which I double).
I make a lot of changes, but the base spice ratio is spot on. THIS is exactly how my mom used to make it, and I went most of my adult life thinking I just didn’t like chili anymore, because most of it has been far too bitter for me. Thank you!
I there something else i could use instead of tomato paste.
I am a one person family and opening a tin of paste ora tube of is sucha waste.
Thank you…
Margaret Hoyle.
What I do when I open a whole can (or tube) of paste is freeze it in 1tbsp portions in a silicone mold! Then I pop them out and keep them in a jar or bag in the freezer until I need paste again 😊
I experienced opening a can of tomato paste and wasting a lot of it often. Then I located “tubes” of tomato paste that can be easily stored in the refrigerator for the next time you need tomato paste or if unopened stored in the pantry. Much more economical and a lot less waste.
I use the whole can of paste and cut out the tomato sauce.
I think I’ve made this more than ten times this year, It is delicious and simple
I have made this chili too many times to count because it’s that delicious. I Susie ground turkey rather than ground beef which is just as tasty. Serving a side salad makes this a winning combo.
This is my 2nd time making this recipe. I used all the same ingredients listed on the recipe and is delicious. If you ever wanted to make chili and never did, this is the perfect recipe for you. My husband is a picky eater, and he even had a second plate.
I’ve made this chili so many times I love it ❤
It’s the ONLY chili I make!!
I use this recipe all the time, its simple and delicious! We like to add noodles in the end. Thanks, I use many of your recipes!
Great recipe! Clear instructions and the chili turned out perfect.
Truly is an easy delicious recipe for Chili that will impress.
Made this and it was delicious. I added some pinto beans to mine(about a cup). I used 96% lean ground beef. Instead of just diced tomatoes I used the Rotel mild. Love this recipe with or without adjustments.
Super! Husband and I both enjoyed this chili for dinner tonight. Have made many different chili’s. But, this Will be my new chilli recipe!