This is the best chili recipe! A big pot of ground beef chili loaded with beef and beans is the perfect game day food!
This recipe is one that is loaded with beef and beans and absolutely full of flavor… just like this one! Chili is hands down one of my husband’s favorite meals (and I love it because it’s easy to make)!
Make it ahead.
This is a chili recipe that you can make on a weeknight in under an hour. Lots of other recipes call for simmering for at least an hour, sometimes even more! The reality of that is tough, so we've perfected this chili to be done in just 40 minutes. If you prefer a thicker chili that develops flavors over a low and slow heat, follow this recipe but simmer it at a lower heat for longer.
This easy chili recipe cooks on the stovetop and is perfect served alongside Homemade Cornbread, buttered toast or Buttermilk Biscuits. Add in your favorite toppings like cheese and onions for the perfect meal.
Let’s get started.
How to Make the Actual Best Chili Recipe
BEANS
While traditional beef chili does not call for beans, we like to up the anty a little bit in the nutrition department and include 2 different variations. Pinto beans and kidney beans add texture and fiber to this beef chili recipe.
Rinse beans (unless using chili beans) before adding to remove excess salt and starches.
Chili beans add great flavor! What are chili beans? Usually either pinto or kidney beans with added flavors in a chili style sauce.
Seasonings:
The seasonings in this recipe are chili powder and cumin. Store bought or homemade chili powder work well in this recipe.
What is in Chili Powder? Sweet paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano and cumin.
Mix Chili Powder into the raw ground beef before cooking to ensure every morsel is seasoned to perfection.
How to Cook Chili
Brown the beef, onions, garlic and some of the chili powder.
Drain any fat.
Simmer Add remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered.
#1 Secret Ingredient for THE BEST CHILI RECIPE
Every chili needs a little bit of sugar in some form to bring out all of the savory flavors from the chili seasoning. Our chili recipe calls for a little bit of maple syrup. It’s warm, unrefined, and absolutely delightful.
Don’t have maple? Swap it with some brown sugar or even some honey.
Top Your Chili:
Go wild and add all the toppings you love to make this chili even better! From a sweet avocado, creamy sour cream or a crunchy chip is just what this chili needs. All the favorites blend together so well with this chili recipe.
Sour Cream: Add a dollop over top.
Onions: Chopped up and sprinkled on top.
Shredded Cheese: This will melt over top the chili
Jalapeños: Spicy deliciousness
Cilantro: Looks good and adds a great flavoring
Avocado: Sliced and add in
Tortilla Strips: A crunchy bite
Frito Chips: Pile them on!
Lime Wedges: Squeeze over top
To Thicken Chili
When making chili on the stove, I simmer it uncovered which allows the chili to naturally thicken without having to add cornstarch or flour. While thickening chili by simmering is the best option, you may not always have time to let it reduce. If you don’t have time to simmer it to thicken you can sprinkle in a little bit of cornmeal or make a cornstarch or flour slurry and add it in.
If you can spare a few extra minutes, just let it simmer uncovered.
Variations
Spice Level This chili is just right for our liking but you can increase or reduce the spice level to your liking. For extra heat, leave the seeds in your jalapenos or add a few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
Swap the Spices Spice up your chili any way you’d like. To make a tex-mex chili, toss in a packet of taco seasoning
Beer I love the depth of flavor that a bit of beer adds. Feel free to skip the beer and use extra broth.
Ground Beef Any ground meat will work in this recipe from chicken to turkey. If your meat has a lot of fat, be sure to drain it before simmering.
The full recipe
The Best Chili Recipe
PREP TIME 20 minutes
COOK TIME 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME 1 hour 5 minutes
SERVINGS 8 servings
The best chili recipe you’ll ever eat is right here! Our classic beef chili is made with ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and a homemade chili seasoning.
Ingredients
1 onion diced
1 jalapeno seeded and finely diced
2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided (or to taste)
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
19 ounces kidney beans canned, drained & rinsed
14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes with juice
1 ½ cups beef broth
1 cup beer
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
14 ½ ounces crushed tomatoes canned
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder.
In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat.
Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness.
Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 395, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 77mg, Sodium: 283mg, Potassium: 1066mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 870IU, Vitamin C: 26.2mg, Calcium: 86mg, Iron: 6.2mg
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Any ground meat will work in this recipe.
Beer can be replaced with extra broth.
Optional toppings: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, tortilla chips
.