The Best Classic Chili

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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.

The Best Classic Chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheese and sour cream

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.
onions and ground beef sautéing in a soup pot
  • Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. 
  • Stir until well combined.
chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper over browned beef and onions in a pot
  • Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce. 
  • Stir well.
diced tomatoes over chili seasoned ground beef and onions in a soup pot
  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce added to chili seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes in a pot

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.

Find more of my recipes on TikTok

The best classic chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream

The Best Classic Chili Recipe

4.96 from 3656 votes
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.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Video

Servings 6 servings
Calories 334 kcal

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

*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.
**I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo.  Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7.5mg
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Keyword best chili, chili recipe, classic chili, homemade chili
Cuisine American
Author Amanda Finks

Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made your recipe for the first time last week. Well, let me tell you…it’ll be my “go to” from here on in!! Deliciousness!!! ❤️

  2. 5 stars
    I made this chili for supper tonight with grilled cheese sandwiches. It was delicious and perfect for a cold winters evening.

  3. 5 stars
    Perfect recipe! I also added chocolate powder that I saw in another recipe. This recipe produces a delicious pot of chili! Try it!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness! I am a fairly good cook but I have NEVER been able to produce a decent batch of chili. Until today. This recipe is easy and fabulous! I had almost everything in my pantry (I would have been a bit happier if I would have had a package of cornbread mix though). I cannot say enough about how easy and how GOOD this chili is and you don’t have to cook it all day in some extra special cooker. The recipe called for 2 TBLS of sugar and I will cut that down to 1 TBLS the next time I make it.
    Also, for diced tomatoes, I only had a 10 oz. can of Rotel tomatoes and they tasted great in this recipe! I cannot thank the people at “The Wholesome Dish” for helping me FINALLY make a tasty batch of chili. I plan to make this again and again and I won’t buy canned chili again.

  5. 5 stars
    Made this today and it’s AMAZING! My son took one bite and said “That’s really good chili.” He’s mentioned it decreasing more times and hasn’t even had a bowl yet, busy a few small tastes!

    I added a small red bell pepper diced and a jalapeño with the seeds removed and diced.

  6. Made this chili many times. I reduce amount of tomato sauce and add can of enchilada sauce. It seems to round out all the flavors.
    Today I’m adding package of hot Italian sausage to recipe to give it a kick.

  7. 5 stars
    This has been my “go to” traditional chili recipe for several years now. If you want a straight up classic chili recipe this is the one for you!! A few alterations I’ve made: I split the beans used, by using Bush’s Mild Chili Red Kidney Beans and Bush’s Black Beans Seasoned in my recipe. I also add minced fresh garlic and reduce the powder in half. I add a bit of dried oregano. We serve with diced white onion, shredded cheese, sour cream and Frito’s Corn Chips (mixed into the chili). They add a nice crunch.

  8. 5 stars
    This recipe was exactly what I needed. I just needed the basic ingredients and this sure did the job. I added ground turkey for the meat, added some green peppers and elbow macaroni noodles. Perfection! When served I add more onions, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese for the toppings. My fiance is in love 😍😍Thank you for sharing this goodness🥰

  9. 5 stars
    I love this recipe and my kids do too! I always double up on the ingredients and sometimes use ground turkey or chicken and sometimes I use both beef and ground chicken or turkey and it always comes out perfect. Great recipe

About Amanda Finks

I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Zionsville, IN. I’m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! I’m trained in Food Science & recipe development. It’s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!

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