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.
Made yesterday- very easy to make-we loved it!
Made this recipe for the first time for my supper club luncheon in October. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I especially loved the cumin forward flavor…..can’t get enough cumin IMO. Making it again for supper tonight!
Very good, easy, basic chili recipe. I tweaked 2 things. I substituted the white for dark brown sugar and I added a drained can of corn. this is a keeper. I may drop the cumin just a bit though. 🙂
Thank you
Absolutely loved this and will make again! I didn’t do the diced tomatoes because I don’t like tomato chunks and I added corn. My husband was a huge fan and is already asking me to make it again!
Recipe is easy like it says. Family loved it. I added mushrooms, orange peppers and celery to the recipe to make it a little more hearty. This will be my go to Chili recipe from now on. 👍👍
This was terrific! I didn’t have tomato paste so I did use a can of Campbell’s tomato soup for tomato paste and tomato sauce. I thought the amount of chili powder may be too much but it really wasn’t. This was a well blended, very tasty recipe which I will save and use again. Thank you!
I thought it had too much chili powder but other than that it was good. I did add some fresh garlic to it also.
Best chili ever! I’ve made it three times now and it always turns out amazing!
I fixed this chili was great!..love it so very easy.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much Cumin.
way too sweet. Would half the sugar next time
Thank you for a truly savory Chili recipe.
Very easy to make – and absolutely delicious. Will def make again!
So simple and so Amazing! I made this using Impossible Burger plant based meat product. OUTSTANDING! Thank you!
Just finished making this chili recipe to serve during the football game today. It hasn’t simmered the full time yet but I keep sneaking “tasting bites” because it is so delicious. My mouth is watering already just thinking about eating this dish. I didn’t change a thing (but I did double the recipe and I hope to have leftovers). Simple, classic chili recipe that is easy to make and is delicious.
This was amazing! Admittedly, I was concerned that the spices might be too much when I was pouring it on but nope. It was perfect as is! Thank you!
Ok. I LOVE this recipe and made some minor adjustments. I’ve made this recipe twice, doubling the recipe both times. My problem is that both times I’ve made it’s initially very watery and then requires me to reduce it down for another half hour or longer. I have never even added the full 3 cups of beef broth because I’d be at the stove stirring for forever. The only thing I do differently is I use 2.5lbs of lean ground beef and I leave out the kidney beans and add a 4oz drained can of whole kernel corn. Any pointers on why it seems so runny? Should I just use less beef broth?
Very easy to follow and perfectly yummy. Good for kids too. Thank you.
Very good recipe. I’m sure it would be even better if I could use onions but my husband doesn’t like them.It was a little spicy and children may not like that. Very easy to make. I will be making this again.
Best chili ever! I’m quoting husband and son.