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.
Yummy
Delicious! Usually add more items but wasn’t necessary. Didn’t use as much onions and flavor was good. I use ketchup for my sweetner. Definitely will make again.
Very good recipe. I made it as a vegetarian dish using beefless ground crumbles and vegetable broth. It turned out great!
Just started a pot, I doubled the base of this and added chopped jalapenos, yellow and red peppers and chopped garlic. My VERY picky 18 year old daughter yelled from upstairs asking what smelled so good… I’m sold and it’s a keeper. Thanks.
I wanted to add I left out the sugar and cumin, I also used cayenne pepper.
I made a variation of this recipe and it was the bomb. Everyone at the party raves that it was the best chili they ever had!
To accommodate a large crowd, I doubled the recipe. I sautéd one onion and 2 tbls of fresh minced garlic then added 2 lbs of ground chuck. I used an entire 3/oz can of tomato paste. I used several different beans I had on hand… 2 cans kidney, 2 cans triple bean, 1 can black bean. I added one large can of fire roasted tomatoes. I like a little kick to my chili so I did add the cayenne pepper and 1tbls dried minced garlic. I use a beef bullion called Better Than Bullion for my beef broth. It’s a paste and resolved quickly in hot water and is made from real beef.
Mardi gras is coming up in the city I live in I like to make homemade chilli,but I leave out the beans this recipe is very good
So easy and delicious! I have made this twice (without the sugar) and I must say my BF loves it. He’s a chili connoisseur! Saving it for my recipe collection
I like that idea – Thank you.
The chili was fantastic. The best I have had. I put cheddar cheese and sour cream on top of the individual serving dishes which made it look very appetizing. This is the second time in a month that I made this recipe for chili. Thanks for the recipe.
Good but a little too much cumin for my family’s taste. Most people commented on it but agreed it was still good!
Thanks for the great recipe. I tried it tonight. I did make a couple small modifications but it was amazing. I doubled the recipe and used 2.5 lbs of 80/20 beef. I added goya sazon seasoning pack to the seasonings (alot of seasoning in this mix but it came out perfect. Not low sodium but can’t complain. Also i added a can of corn and a can of light kidney beans.
My kids loved it and it was not too spicy.
If youre thinking of cooking this go for it. The beef broth instead of just tomato sauce was nice touch too.
This was very easy and quick to make. My family loved it!
I love this recipe, it’s so quick and easy.i make it at least twice a month! I add a can of black beans and chopped up bell peppers, it’s so good!
So glad I made this recipe tonight for supper! Husband says to keep this recipe, because he’s a huge fan and would like it again! Thank you!
Just finished making this and it came out perfect. I added ground sausage to mine. I didnt have any bell peppers but I’ll use those next time.
Very good chili! I have a very picky husband and he loved this. Thank you.
Great recipe but way too much Cumin. Might want to put half as much or even less.
Sugar ruins this otherwise good basic recipe. Use less than what is called for, or leave it out entirely.
The recipe is perfect! Just as I remember growing up too!
I doubled this recipe. It was easy and delish!