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’ve been searching for an easy, quick and tasty chili recipe. My search is over! This is the best chili recipe I’ve ever made and my husband loves it! Perfect on those cold winter nights.
I agree! I made this last night and doubled the recipe. It was excellant! Can’t wait to make it again!
BEST CHILI EVER!!!!!!!!!!:)
I used turkey, added diced sweet peppers, pineapple mango salsa instead of tomato sauce, no sugar, sweet onion!! RAVING FAN!
Very good recipe! And easy
I made this with venison and took third place in a chilli cookoff! Awesome recipe.
This the best chill. Third time I’m making this recipe!
I have tried many chili recipes. This one has it all. By far the best chili I have ever made. The whole family loved it. By the way, I skipped the hot pepper and substituted Cento whole tomatoes for the diced tomatoes. Thank you very much for sharing.
I have been looking for a chili recipe for a long time. . . I know I found it! Followed the recipe excatly as written and it was awesome! I love how the heat sneaks up on you (not too hot) but just a little bit. The quantity is perfect . . . not too much nor not too little.Next batch I might add another can of drained beans (I love beans in my chili). Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Great recipe. Easy to make and great to taste.
Best chili recipe, ever!
My kids and I love love this chilli! its good and so easy to make!
I tried this recipe and my family loves it! The only thing I did different was I used ground turkey instead of beef.
CLASSIC!! Great chili, just what I was looking for!!
Thank YOU!!
I’ve made lots of different Chile recipes, but this is BY FAR the best! I added celery at the end because I love the crunchiness, and a can of corn also, but otherwise I followed the recipe, and boy was it delicious!
I whole heartedly agree with all the other comments. This is a great recipe. Just made it today and loved it. I have only used one other online chili recipe and this one by far surpasses it greatly. 10/10.
Hi Amanda!
When I saw your recipe I had to try. I never used brothbin a chili recipe so I was intrigued. I used ground chicken thigh and vegetable broth, adjusted cumin based on our taste. This came out DELICIOUS. My husband said this is some of the best chili he thinks he’s ever had (more than once)- and I agree. We made chili dogs tonight. Tomorrow we will make “taco” salads (greens, fresh tomato, cheese) topped with the chili. Can’t wait! Definitely going into my recipe binder. Thanks for sharing! Hope all is well 🙂
This is the best Chili I have ever made! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us. I love it!
Very good chili! I wished I had added more beef, but otherwise, flavor was awesome. Saved to my go-to recipe file.
Secret to every chili recipe….a thumb size piece of dark chocolate 😉
The seasoning is perfect in this recipe! I’ve never made a homemade chili that I thought I’d really gotten “right”. Something was always missing. Apparently, it wasn’t a case of leaving anything out, it was just not putting enough of each spice in. I doubled the recipe and wasn’t feeling very confident that this was going to work out as I put in 4 TABLESPOONS of cumin. 😳 😂 It has come out absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing. This is MY new recipe for chili.👍🏻
Oh my God! First time making Chili, followed recipe except I used pink beans (did not have Kidney beans). Best chili I’ve ever had! Thank you!
Absolutely delicious; some of the very best chili I ever made! I did add two cans of beans, and did cut back on the chili powder and cumin- just my personal taste. Will definitely make this again. Thank you!