The Best Chili 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)!
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.
How to Make Chili
While I sometimes make crockpot chili, this easy version is great for a weeknight meal!
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.
Beans:
- I use canned red kidney beans but pinto beans or black beans work as well.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Beer I love the depth of flavor that a bit of beer adds. Feel free to skip the beer and use extra broth.
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.
Can You Freeze Chili?
100% yes!!! Chili freezes and reheats beautifully. We freeze it in single sized portions for lunches or in freezer bags for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Defrost in the fridge overnight and heat in a saucepan (or the microwave) to serve.
More Chili Recipes You’ll Love
- Instant Pot Chili
- Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe
- Texas Chili
- Green Chili Recipe
- 15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili
- Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chili
The Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided , or to taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 14 ½ ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained & rinsed
- 14 ½ ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup beer
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder.
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In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat.
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Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness.
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Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Tex Mex
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Toppings for Chili
My #1 favorite of course is cornbread or just plain ol’ toast with butter. Pretty much any bread to sop up whatever is left in the bottom of my bowl! 30 Minute Dinner Rolls are great with chili too! If you need to stretch out the meal, serve it over white rice.
I always put out a collection of toppings… and while everyone has a different idea as to what goes with chili I have a few staples:
- sour cream
- red or green onion
- cheddar cheese or monterey jack
- jalapenos
- cilantro, avocado & lime wedges
- croutons or tortilla chips
Is Chili Healthy
Yes, it’s lean beef loaded with tomatoes and beans (and veggies if you’d like). Tons of fiber, protein and flavor all in one bowl! Be sure you’re using lean beef and drain any fat (or use ground chicken/turkey if you prefer).
Choose low sodium or low sugar products to reduce the salt and sugar in this recipe.
I plan on making this today and freezing it, to eat in a couple weeks while on vacation at a cabin near the north shore of Georgian Bay. The nights will be cool and this chile will be perfect! I was thinking of adding mushrooms to the chile. Any concern with including mushrooms even though I plan to freeze the entire batch?
I think mushrooms would be a great addition.
I’m not usually one to leave reviews, but I wanted to say that this is more of a base recipe! It is very bland as written. And even after simmering for over an hour, it didn’t thicken as much as I’d like so I added a cornstarch slurry.
I added- cocoa powder, pepperoncini brine, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, an additional jalapeno, smoked paprika, extra cumin, and coriander.
It certainly needed the added spices to bring more flavor.
I’m not sure I’ll use this recipe again.
Thanks for trying our recipe, Kayla.
I made this recipe pretty much as written and it was amazingly flavorful and EASY! I am intrigued by the technique of mixing seasonings and onions into raw meat, then browning. This recipe will join my all time favorites.
Thank you.
good recipe! I enjoyed preparing this dish. Ingredients were very simple but flavorful.
It was alright, but far from the best chili I’ve had.
Thanks for trying our recipe, Maja.
Thank you for this recipe! It is currently simmering and the house smells incredible! We have a few upcoming rainy days and will really enjoy these flavors! Husband selected a Trader Joe’s beer, and I added an extra 1/4 to 1/2 Tbsp chili powder just to empty the jar. We are chili afficiados (ha) and this recipe earned it’s way into our rotation!
I have a tried lots of chili Recipe and they were ok I came across this one I made it yesterday and it was delicious I can’t believe how much flavor it had this is the BEST CHILI I have ever tasted my family loved it Thank you for sharing this recipe whoever is looking for The BEST CHILI RECIPE please try this one you want be disappointed you will love it
That is so sweet of you, Jenny! I am glad you enjoyed it.
I’m wondering can I use this recipe for a crock pot and if so what are the cook times and will the amount of ingredients change? I work a lot so crock pot recipes are a must have. I can’t wait to try this recipe thank you for sharing it!!
To make crockpot chili we recommend following this crockpot chili recipe! It turns out perfect every time.
Very easy to make and very tasty to eat.
Perfect!
Terrific recipe, love the beer. I like to add diced celery at the end for crunch, and serve w/ Cornbread !
Great flavor!
THE REAL THING! I gotta admit I had misgivings about adding beer to the recipe, but with the beef broth and the rest, it all came together in the end! What Chili should taste like!
Excellent and easy to make
Increíble taste, easy to do.
Made this for my husband tonight and it turned out fantastic. I used better than beef bouillon and extra because I didn’t have beer. I imagine a good beer would really elevate this recipe but it was mouthwatering anyways.
Outstanding….everyone loved it!
I love Chili with crackers, corn bread, anything to me is good. When I make Chili, for the broth or juice, I use Tomato Juice. some people might not like it but I do. And also add enough Salt. some people don’t realize adding salt makes the difference between being bland or being good. Not alot, but enough to taste.
So easy and it came out delicious!
Love it!
I followed it to the T and it literally had no flavor?? Cannot figure out why
Letting it simmer for an hour helps it to thicken as well as the flavors to develop. You can add additional chili powder to taste and don’t forget to add some salt to help amplify the flavors too!
i had the same issue, i had to add extra tomato paste, beef bullion, and chili powder seasoning