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
New fam fav. I did dr it a little because I prefer a really thick and hearty chili and i don’t eat red meat. Dpubled the tecipe.
I subbed griund turkey for beef
Chicken broth for beef broth
Rotel for crushed tomaties
Extra can of beans. I used 1 can ea, white, red and pinto
Added the cayenne and 1/2 finely chopped jalapeno bc we like some heat.
My 15 yo grandson ate 6 bowls. My pickiest 12yo grandson and his friend saud it was the best ever and it was…. i wish I would haVe made more! There was barely left ovets!
I cooked it early on stove, then transfetred to crock pot and let sit on warm ubtil dinner.
Whatever you thknk you will need, double it. You will be gkad you did.
Its amazing.
I am going to try it with meatless crumbles and vegetable broth too.
Delicious chili! Thank you for this recipe!
I had lost my tried and true old recipe for Chili which was quite similar to this one. Happily, this recipe more than replaces my old one. It is easy to make and delicious. I did add diced orange peppers and celery in with the onions as they sautéed like I did with previous recipe, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly.
Thank you Wholesome Dish!
Tried this recipe for tonight’s dinner. Very simple, easy to follow, and quick. I recommend the cayenne.
I just made this recipe and it is sooo tasty. Probably one of the best chili’s I’ve had. I used rotel since I was out of canned tomatoes and the store shelves where cleared out and used only 1/2 the cayenne because I am a little sensitive to spicy foods. The flavors were perfect and not too spicy but just spicy enough. The whole family loved it and wished there were leftovers. Next time I will have to make a double batch. This will be my go to recipe for chili from now on. Thanks!
Yes very good I follow the full recipe Sp
Flavorful and tasty will do this again
l am a private chef, l cooked this chili this week order. Turned out amazing, they loved it. l also added some diced peppers and carrots. It will be my go-to chili recipe.
One of the best chili recipes I’ve made in a long time! Very tasty.
Easy to make and follow recipe. I’ve tried a few variations with ingredients. Always good.
Love this recipe. I used Beyond Meat, ground plant based protein and it was great. I think I will use a bit less sugar next time but it is still a solid 5 STARS.
Amazing chili recipe ! My son loved it thank you!
It is the BEST!!
I try not to use canned tomatoes, but I did use the tomato paste. I put the whole can in when adding the spices. I added 8 oz of water when I added the tomatoes and beef stock. Instead of canned tomatoes, I used 6 lg tomatoes. I used my pasta pot to blanch the tomatoes, so the peels just fell off. After I dumped the blanching water, I rinse the pot and used it to cook the chili. It was a littleextra work, but if your watching your sodium and appreciate tge fresh taste of tomatoes, it was well worth it. This is my favorite chili recipe.
Great recipe! I followed it to a “t” and added the optional Cayenne Pepper. Thanks from STL.
Very Good!! My husband is not a chili person but he loves this one!!
Love this easy but delicious chili. I added a couple of pepper flakes. Other than that awesome
Made this recipe twice now. Very good!!
I always use 4 cans beans to 1 or 1 1/2 lbs ground beef. We love beans….. also I use sodium free Herb Ox beef bouillon & 1/2 the beans are low or no sodium & typically a fraction of the salt. Wherever I can I 1/2 the sodium whether in beans, bouillon, et….. when everyone adds their crackers or condiments, the salt is not typically missed. I applaud those who do not have to watch their sodium. Yummy recipe!!!!
Why do I say this is hands-down the best chili recipe we’ve had? Everyone had seconds! This will be a winter staple in our home.