by HollyThe 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! Making chili is really easy! In this recipe I add bell pepper but you can skip it or add your own favorite veggies (peppers, mushrooms, zucchini are all great choices).
Seasonings:
- The seasonings in this recipe are chili powder and cumin. I always make my own homemade chili powder but of course store bought works great too.
- What is in Chili Powder? Sweet paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano and cumin. This is the perfect blend of spices (find my favorite chili powder recipe here).
- 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.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered.
Seriously, it’s that easy to make the best chili recipe!
How 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.
What to Serve with 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!
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
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
- Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe
- Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken Chili
- 15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili
- Chili Mac Skillet
- Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chili
The Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder divided (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes canned
- 19 oz kidney beans canned, drained & rinsed
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup beer
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
Combine ground beef and 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder.
In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a large pot. Drainy 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.
Recipe Notes
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
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.
You can add retired beans ,tomato soup or instance potato flakes ,to your chili. ?
Why the beer?
It adds a nice flavor. You can substitute broth if you prefer. Enjoy Kathy!
I love your idea to mix the seasonings in with the meat before cooking it! We do this with burgers, so why not with chili, right! I’m going to try your homemade chili powder recipe – homemade seasoning mixes, like dry onion soup, etc. is always better and certainly cheaper than store bought.
Chili is a winter staple in our house, actually, it shows up year ’round. I dehydrate onions and peppers when they are in abundance, then rehydrate and add to my ground beef, because the flavors are just intensified so much. You can also use the frozen saute’ed onion and peppers mix to save a little prep time. Mixing some ground pork, turkey, venison and/or bulk breakfast sausage is good for variety. My favorite tip is always to make this the day before you want to serve it, because chili is always better warmed over. Always. If I have time, I will make Mexican cornbread to serve with it, but in a pinch, even good ol’ saltine crackers will do! I make a double batch because we like it over hot dogs and tamales with mac and cheese, in cheese dip for game days – you get the idea. Thanks for your recipe and tips. We’ll try it this weekend.
Such great tips. Sounds like some great ways to use chili Becky! I agree, it is so good warmed up. Enjoy!
I like beer. All different kinds. Do you have a favorite kind of beer for this recipe? IE: lager, ale, porter, etc. Thank you.
Any will work just fine! A darker beer will have a bit more flavor than something light so if I have something darker, that’s what I would usually choose.
I don’t drink beer can I sub a nother liquid
Sure you can, broth works as well.
How much broth do you need to substitute the beer?
I would use the same amount, 1 cup.