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 was seriously AMAZING!! I knew it would be good, but it is now the only one I’ll use. I did take other’s advice without trying it as written.
I used 1 1/2 TBS of cumin, 1 TBS honey instead of sugar, and 1 1/2 TBS minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
SO SO GOOD!!
Really good chili, but next time I will reduce cumin to 1 tbsp and sugar to 1 tbsp as well.
Was easy to make and had calls for more!
I’ve found my new go-to chili recipe! So easy, and completely delicious. Thank you!
This was amazing 👏 everyone loved it my fiance never gets seconds but he did with this chili. I served it with cornbread and baked potatoes. I added schiricha and banana ketchup. So good I aboustly grande recipe.
Turned out great. Can also be done in a crockpot. I did.
I just want to say I think this recipe needs even more cumin. Too much anti-cumin sentiment in these comments.
Delicious! So flavorful!
This was so good and so easy! We love a good kick, and it sure had it! I added extra beans and a green pepper as I had 1 1/3 lbs organic beef. Will be making this again!
I love this as a really good basic recipe to adapt to your own taste. The second time I made it I cut the sugar in half, doubled the cayenne pepper and instead of the 2 Tbs. of cumin I used 1 tsp. each of cumin, oregano and coriander. We loved it!
I made this with venison cut up into small chunks and let it simmer for about 3 hours. Delicious!
Easy excellent tasting chili. I made it according to recipe and we love it!
Wow! This was delicious! It will be a staple in our house.
Super delicious and not too spicy! Thank you!!!
My new favorite chili recipe. I don’t change a thing. Delicious.
This is the best chilli recipe I’ve ever made. I just made a double batch today because my family was disappointed that we did not have leftovers.
I make this all the time; I can’t stop eating it!!!!!
Fantastic !! Break corn bread up in this great recipe when you serve it !
Excellent recipe. I have made this several times. A big hit and so easy to make.
Made it as per recipe, so easy and tasted awesome!