The Best Classic Chili

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The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is 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.

How do you make good homemade chili?

  • 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 the chili 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 for chili, 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

What goes well with chili for dinner?

I’ve been playing around with this chili 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!

Watch the step by step recipe video for this chili recipe below.

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 3628 votes
The Best Classic Chili - This traditional chili recipe is 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

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
    Absolutely delicious!! I’ve never used beef broth in my chili and was a little skeptical but I will use it from now on. Often the simplest recipes are the best. Quick, easy and my family loved it!!

  2. 5 stars
    The combination of spices is perfect. Even if I made a veggie chili, I use this spice blend for rave review every time.

  3. 5 stars
    Thank you, I love this chili. I have won 2 chilli cook offs with this simple recipe. Simple is almost always better when making comfort foods like this.

  4. 5 stars
    Really great recipe! I didn’t need the broth because we like our chilli really thick not soupy, but it was delicious!

  5. 5 stars
    Can’t believe some on the negative comments although very few. Just goes to show that you can’t please everyone. I had a chili recipe that I used for years and thought it was the best. Then I tried this one. Wow! So tasty! By the way it’s just as good when using turkey.

  6. 5 stars
    I really like this recipe. I had a recipe for chili but it was a little too salty for me. I needed something somewhat basic but with a lot of flavor. I added another can of beans this time. What I really like is it taste better as the days go by but it doesn’t last long. LOL I also add the cayenne pepper it’s not too spicy just enough so that it’s not overwhelming for others who may not care so much for the spicy chili. Thanks for sharing great recipe.

  7. 5 stars
    So good. I prefer the seasoning blend in this recipe over the packaged seasoning. I made my first batch with 3 diced jalepenos, I loved it but it was a bit spicy for my husband. I sauté minced garlic with the onion. My husband and I also used 3/4 of the tomato sauce, 50% sodium beef broth (doubled the amount of broth), 1 cup of water, add paprika, and add additional seasoning to taste as we go. Then we let it simmer for about an hour.

  8. Hi Amanda…I’m a 60 year old guy that found myself needing to cook for myself…imagine that ;-). Anyway, mostly I take the easy way out and cook simple stuff over and over that I know how to cook and it is OK or mabye, once in a while good or better. But, I have started trying recipes from time to time. This recipe is a winner! Took it to a group dinner of about 40 people and they raved…I told them that I was happy to take all the credit, but, that Amanda deserves all the credit…then they kept asking about Amanda…:-)

  9. 5 stars
    Tried lots of recipes and this is my favorite. One reason is it’s easy and it always tastes good. I change just a little. I use fresh garlic and also add smoked paprika. I always add the optional ingredients except the kidney beans if my husband is around. I also always add cayenne. We really enjoy it. Not to many people living in Hawaii make chili.

  10. THIS CHILI RECIPE ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. I SAVED IT TO MY LIST OF FOODS AND WILL MAKE IT AGAIN. I DO NOT THINK I’LL BE USING ANY OTHERS. THANK YOU.

  11. 5 stars
    Amazing batch of chili! Followed the recipe pretty much exactly except subbed ground beef for ground turkey and used chicken broth instead of beef broth. Also doubled the amount of cayenne cuz we like it pretty spicy. Will def save this recipe and make it again.

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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