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.
I’m generally skeptical of any recipe that claims to be “the best”, but oh, my GAWD!! I have to say I made one substitution… I had a half pound of ground beef, and a pound of mild Italian sausage. I’ve offered leftovers to my mom and a coworker… I might have to take that back. 😳
Delicious!!!! I won’t be going back to the store bought packets.
I used this recipe as a first time chili and it came out amazing everyone loved it but I do recommend if wanting it spicier you should add more cayenne but all in all amazing
Very good! Will use less sugar next time. I added a small can of jalapeños.
Excellent as is! I went to a bit spicier because that’s the way I enjoy chili. I increased the cayenne pepper and used Rotel diced tomatoes with habanero’s. This recipe is really good and I am rating based on the way it is written as all recipes should be rated and not on my own or anyone elses changes
Hands down the best chili recipe I have come across. Alot of ingredients but simple to make.
Altered it a little with some extra spice but other than that this recipe made my husband very happy.
The best chili recipe I’ve ever made.
Did not like the sugar in the recipe.
How much is 1/6th of the recipe?
Great traditional recipe, we love it!
This IS the best chili. It is so easy to make and it is fantastic. I had to skip the beans because my husband is from Texas. I am making this for my chili cook-off. My only change is to use Rotel tomatoes for an extra kick.
Living I Japan currently and was missing the taste of home. Once I started eating I was hooked! Dinner for a whole week! I’ve made this chili three times now!
Great tasting, easy recipe. I made w/diced tomatoes w/chili which added just a little zip to he dish.
Delicious!
First time I’ve tried this recipe. I like putting in beef broth. M adding some raw onion Can’t, sour cream and corn chips to each bowl. Can’t wait for dinner!
Amanda, I’m from Columbia, MO.
I have made this at least 5 times already, Best chilli ever !!!!
This chili is SO GOOD!! I made the recipe as is (left out the cayenne) everyone loved it and asked me to make this same recipe the next time we have chili.
Thank you!
Love this recipe and my family does too! I skip the canned tomatoes and just add 15oz of tomato sauce and it turns out spectacular! The cayenne is just enough of a kick!
This is great chili bit next time I’ll cut the sugar way down or leave it out altogether.