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
- 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup beer
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- salt and black 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.
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© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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.
Absolutely delicious
absolutely delicious! and enough for an army!
This is incredible! Swapped beer for more broth, had this two weeks ago and making it again because it’s all my fiancé and i can think about
I can’t wait to try this Chili recipe. Could I do it in the crockpot?
You can make this in a crockpot starting at step 3. We recommend following this crockpot chili recipe! It turns out perfect every time.
Just a solid chili…and super easy!
I was looking for a simple recipe for chili.
I’ve cooked chili for years. Different recipes. Some great, some I’m not so great.
I’ve never been able to say that I would stick with Any one recipe.
This recipe seems to incorporate the exact right ingredients and the Perfect amounts to bring it together.
While I say that,
I omitted jalapeños because I need Non-spicy chili.
This recipe is not too acidic, it’s not too tomato-ey, And it’s not overwhelmed with spices.
I’ve kept this one, and will keep it forever and refer to it always.
very yummy!
Still cooking but can tell it is very delicious. Made recipe as directed included optionals. Only additional add-in was 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
Yes, this is really tasty. I made a small batch for myself but I’m going to make it again because family is coming. Definitely a keeper, this recipe.
My family is very particular but this recipe was a hit! Everyone went back for seconds. It has been added to the monthly meal plan.
I thought, surely, this can’t be that much better that other chili recipes…. But I was intrigued by the number of 5 star reviews… WOW THIS CHILI IS SO GOOD.
I subbed ground turkey, canned green chilis for the jalepeno, and the whole can of beer(:
I always get heartburn from chili but not this recipe. I filled the recipe to exact instructions and it was the best!!!
I did not have any bell peppers. I used put the 4 cloves garlic in after chili had completed cooking. I added about 6 leaves fresh basil. I used 3cups dried bean, cooked in 3tbsp milk and pinch of baking soda to soften beans, then rinsed and drained. And added 1/2 cup or so of red wine. Delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe. on point!!!!
amazing recipe
Thanks for this recipe. The nursing home I work at.Ever one loves it.I can’t make enough. They always want seconds.So great recipe .Thanks
It’s chili beans! Not chili. Chili goes on a hotdog!
In my home this is chili.
I’m sorry your home is wrong!
oh shove it
You do realize there’s numerous ways to do things and your home is one of millions right? Be kind and humble. It’s an attractive trait.
Southern, it’s whatever you want to call it. Enjoy!
Super Duper Good! Fire!
Excellent chili! I used poblano peppers from the garden in place of green bell pepper cuz I don’t like the green peppers. I also added 2 cans of beans, 1 red pinto beans and 1 can of chili beans. I used a stout beer. Delicious! My favorite chili recipe of all.
How far in advance can it be made? How long in fridge? YUM!
Hi Peggy, you can store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
delicious and enough for an army!