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.
Awesome easy recipe! I will make this again. I added some leftover corn niblets from last night’s salad.
By far the BEST Chili Recipe I have ever tried and I have tried many. The only changes I made, was that I added a green pepper and red pepper (minced) and simmered the chili for an hour and half to let everything meld together. The seasoning in this recipe is on point.
Delicious. I omitted the sugar. I will probably add more beans next time.
Great recipe with awesome balance of ingredients. I make my own chili powder so it is a bit hotter plus I add chipotle peppers. I also put in less sugar than recommended and add cocoa. I have made this recipe without my changes and it is great as written also.
I love this recipe! So much flavour!
I have along with the beef broth add in leftover gravy from M&M’s beef roast… So good!
Excellent, with sugar left out. I used chili-ground elk, added 6 oz can of diced green chilis, and added a bottle of Belgium Tripel Bock beer instead of beef broth.
Also doubled recipe, so we are eating this all week!
Would give this 6 stars if I could!
Thanks
I would absolutely make this again, but the only change I would make would be to use 1 Tbsp of sugar instead of 2. It was a little too sweet for my taste but otherwise, it was AWESOME.
I forgot to buy cumin so I substituted 1 tbsp of ginger. It came out really good.
Love it. Cook this a lot.
I tried this receipt and it is now my “go to” favorite!!!!
Very easy and delicious
Very good recipe although I would omit the sugar altogether. I added only 1 tablespoon and it was still too sweet. Tomatoes already add sweetness so no need for sugar. My husband added jalapeños but it was just right in heat for me. Will make again!
Excellent
This was fantastic! I have one recipe I have always made but got bored – this is my new go-to. I used turkey vs. ground beef, only 1/2 T of sugar, less cumin, chicken bone broth (10 ounces), garbanzo beans vs. kidney and I added 1/4t of cinnamon.
Oh – and while I was cooking the onion and meat, I added red pepper flakes.
Best classic recipe! I also cut back on sugar to 1 Tbsp. I also used 2lb ground beef and increased broth and tomato paste, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Not quite double. Awesome recipe! Great with hot rolls and a dollop of sour cream and added some shredded extra sharp cheddar. I will add some scallions next time for sure!
Added extra beans and frozen corn, delicious!
Wow this chili was great. Made it for dinner tonight and it was a big hit. I only changed three ingredients: I used brown sugar instead of white (personal preference) and I added one tablespoon of cocoa powder and one and a half teaspoons of cinnamon. All three of my changes came from 40 years of making chili and I happen to believe they are my little secrets to enhancing any chili recipe. I’m glad I found your recipe today. Thank you for your contribution to my saved recipes.
nice! I love this recipe!!!
SOOO Yummy! I ran out of chili powder and used paprika to substitute (I know, not the same thing, but we just love paprika) Also I used natures seasoning instead of cumin because I HATE cumin. It was sooooooooo yum!
Good sutff