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 is the only chili recipe we use now, after trying so many the first two years of our marriage. (Husband is a chili fan so i tried to find one we all liked). I’ve made this for friends and family and everyone always loves it.
Used 2 cans of black beans because that’s what I had. This recipe was super delicious, and quick and easy. I personally would half the sugar, it was a little sweet. I also recommend using fire roasted tomatoes, and sautéing your tomato paste in the pan before adding the broth can add some awesome flavor. Super great as it is.
Easy and delicious
The BEST chilli recipe out there!
I’ve made this recipe several times and even in the heat of Florida summer, I’m making it now! I cut the cumin in half and add extra tomato paste. To me, it is perfection.
Great and delicious recipe! I’ve been using this for a few years now. The only thing I do different is add more Diced Tomatoes and tomato sauce,I like sauciness! Lol
Outstanding recipe that lends itself to some embellishment. A dash of red wine, extra tin of beans and a few dashes of Tobasco sauce. Brilliant!
I have tried many chili recipe. This is the best one hands down and my husband agrees 100 %
My husband and I have used this recipe for years, it’s our favorite chili recipe. I should have written a review years ago. The only changes we’ve made (over time) is, we add 2 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes instead of one can of diced tomatoes, add 3/4 tsp of cayenne and we omit the sugar. Don’t get me wrong, the sugar adds a nice twang but we’ve had health issues that cause us to limit sugar in our diet. It’s amazing and perfect every time. We’ve even used Impossible Beef instead on hamburger and it’s was still delicious.
This is the only chili recipe I use! The whole family loves it and I have made it many, many times! Only change,and not of the actual recipe- I don’t think you should review a recipe if you completely change the recipe 🤔, was a red or pinto bean which is just my preference! Thank you for helping me find this favorite!
I made this yesterday! It is absolutely delicious! Thank you! Thank you!
I’m looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
I live this recipe. I think ive made it 8 times this fall/winter
I was born and raised in Phoenix, and got married 6 years (this October) ago to a Texan who loves all things BBQ and chili related. After only a few weeks of marriage, he was asking for chili in the dead of winter and I stumbled across this recipe, and it’s the only one I’ve ever made. We love it so much! I adjust some simple things, because my husband likes really thick chili I add an extra can of pinto beans in there for him. I also add the sugar to the meat and onion before any other spices and let it “carmalize” a little bit, then add the other spices and tomato paste, because some spices are oil soluble versus water soluble so they release more flavor when added to oil than water. Other than that, we follow this recipe and have been loving it and sharing it with friends and family for almost 6 years, and will continue to do so!
❤️ this recipe, so so good. Made it 2 days ago and I will make it again tomorrow for my extended family. Easy and quick, no fancy ingredients nu so good.
So so yummy 😋
I love this recipe. I did put half regular chili powder and half dark chili powder (just because I needed to use it). I did love it so much I do it all the time. Other than that I follow the recipe. So good! Have passed it on a bunch
Made this many times with great results each time. Not a finicky receipt, measurements don’t have to be exact, can put in more cans of beans, amore or less diced tomatoes or sauce, a little red wine from a near empty bottle, etc.
I honestly tried this recipe because all of the ingredients were in my pantry. I kept the recipe because the chilli is delicious!!
OMG I love this recipe 😍😍
This rating is a long time coming – been coming back to this recipe over and over again over the last couple of years. The chili comes out soooooo good! My husband is a big fan!
Excellent, tasty and quick and easy to make!
5 stars
This is an amazing foundational recipe. The spice mix is so good. I used brown sugar instead of white (& only used 1 tablespoon). I skipped the beef and added an extra can of kidney beans (for 2 total cans). I’m adding this to my cooking binder : ). Thank you.
My picky husband absolutely loves this chili recipe
I’ve made it many times he always calls it award winning chili !!