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 is SO GOOD. Best chili I’ve ever made. The seasonings are on point!
This chili was AMAZING! I started it in the large skillet, deglazed the pan, and moved it all to the crock pot to simmer on medium for a few hours. This recipe is a keeper: toddler, teenager, and husband-approved. Thank you!
Delicious!!!! Came out perfect.
Omg my recipe is almost same I thought I could make mine better only difference is I use a little Worcestershire sauce and never have used sugar
You always need to add a small bit of sugar when using acid pretors/ingredients to counteract. A culinary must 🙂
what the heck is a pretor?
lmao i wondered the same thing
Excelent chili recipe! I’ve added 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cocoa powder. Used a dutch oven and cooked at 150 Celsius for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. My friends loved!! Thank you, Amanda.
Marcelo Kobayashi, your new follower from Brazil.
That sounds great! I’m going to try that next time.
Easy to follow but I thought the flavor was a bit overwhelming. I may cut back on the chili powder and cumin next time. I had added some corn for texture and my kids really enjoyed if served with a side of broccoli and cornbread. Will adjust spices and try again soon.
Earlier post and should have been 5 stars…touched wrong buttons.
We have gluten and dairy free, plus low sodium in our family…this was easy to adapt. Thanks!
Excellent chili, my wife do like chili but she loved this chili
I used ground turkey 93/7 for this and chicken broth made from bullion but it still turned out great and the flavor versus heat was on point! Thank you for sharing!
This was great! We have little kiddos (1 and 3) and kept the cayenne pepper in, but doubled up on the beef, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. The kids loved it and we added a little crushed red pepper to ours once served. I’ve printed this recipe and am adding it to my winter favorites. Thank you!
Is this chilli hot thanks
Not the way I made it. A little kick, but if my 14 month old likes it, probably not the spiciest 😉
Fantastic chili… everyone loved it!!! 5 stars!!!
Not at all! It’s the only chili that doesn’t give myself or my husband heartburn!
It isn’t to bad. Leave the cayenne pepper out and it not really spicy. I am experimenting with the seasonings to find my perfect taste. Love this recipe too.
this is my first time to comment on a recipe or even use on for that matter.
This is the easiest chili I have ever made. it is delicious !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
made it in 30 minuets than put in crock pot on warm until dinner time.
Could I cook this in a slow cooker?
I made this recipe tonight. Delicious! Just the right amount of heat and a little sweetness. This is my new go to chili recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Made for boyfriend, and he loves it!!! Even added cayenne pepper. Thank you!
I want to quadruple the recipe, should I only double the spices?
Great chili, very tasty and delicious. Shared a double batch with friends invited for a poker game.
Would it be ok to leave out the sugar?
I’m in a food coma. A happy, sublime moment of pure satisfaction from just having my first bowl of this chili. This may be the recipe for world peace. Make a pot, feed your neighbor, enjoy the ensuing bliss.
Total keeper recipe.
I substituted 2 cloves of fresh garlic for the garlic powder. This is the best chili I have ever made.I did a single batch to try out. From now on I will be doing a double. AWESOME!
Uhm YUM!! Thank you. I added a chopped seeded fresh jalapeno, chopped fresh red pepper and lots of fresh chopped garlic instead of cayenne and garlic powder. SO GOOD. I forgot the diced tomatoes too. Whoops. Didn’t miss them.