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.
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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.
Delicioso!
I made this chili for a fall party. One of the best !!! Does not disappoint. I highly recommend trying this recipe
Delicious!!!
Is this recipe gluten free?
Hi Kathy, you can use gluten free beer in this recipe and then you will still want to check the ingredients you are using to make sure they are gluten free but it should be.
This was a winner ,I followed the receipt great flavor,definitely add the beer!
What could I use instead of beer ?
Hi Pam, you can use extra broth in place of the beer. Enjoy!
Yes, can see why this recipe is nearly 5 stars. Fantastic as given!
This is delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Question: I made it without the beer because I didn’t have any. Grew up in an alcohol free home and never had the curiosity to try it. Now I am not sure what kind of beer to add to this bc I don’t have much point of reference for how it tastes. What kind of flavor does beer add to chili and does it matter what kind I choose?
You can use any type of beer you have on hand. I often use Budweiser, which adds depth to the flavor!
can a lager be used?
Yes it can.
can you make this recipe in the crocknpot instead if so how long and high or low?
This recipe may have just a little bit too much liquid for the slow cooker since it doesn’t evaporate as much. I use this slow cooker chili recipe. Enjoy!
Great recipe, but needs WAAAAAAAAY more chili powder. A lot more! Plus some cumin, dash of cayenne pepper and paprika. I didn’t measure the additional seasonings, but I had a huge party of people much prefer the well seasoned version. www
My second time making this recipe because I liked it so much. I used a cayenne pepper ratio instead of jalapeño, and added another tablespoon brown sugar because we like it a little sweeter with the heat. I’m highly impressed by this online recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Not good at all if you follow exact instructions. Chili powder is just ground chilis. Not all the seasonings she stated for her homemade chili powder. To make this a lot better use her full recipe for her “chili powder” but add T of basic chili powder. Otherwise there’s no chili flavor. I also added 1-2 tsp chipotle chili powder for more smokiness. For beer I used Founders Porter and liked that but any dark beer will work if you are unsure of what beer to use. Needs salt to taste but doesn’t need any pepper. Simmer until it’s the consistency you like. For me it was 30 min. Tastes similar to Wendy’s chili but better with adjustments.
Glad you enjoyed it, Annie. Thanks for sharing your alterations.
Does it matter what kind of beer you use??? I am looking forward to making this!
You can use any type of beer you have on hand. I often use Budweiser.
I would use an ale or wheat beer, not IPA they are bitter (yuck)
Really great recipe! My husband is pretty picky about chili lol and he loved it, flavor was on point. This will now be my go to chili recipe!!!
This is the best chili recipe! You won”t be disappointed in making this recipe.
Hi. Quick question: I have all ingredients on hand except for the crushed tomatoes. Do you think leaving them out will alter the finished product too much?
You might like to add a bit of tomato sauce or additional diced tomatoes if you have any on hand.
If you have any other type of canned or fresh tomatoes on hand smash them up by hand or in a blender. The beautiful thing about chili, soups and stews is that you can use your best judgement and improvise. Good Luck!
I did not care for this recipe. Meat seemed way over cooked.
Thanks for trying out recipe, Karen! Sorry it wasn’t what you expected.
Very good quick chili!
Phenomenal. Excellent spices and leaving the lid off definitely made it thicker!
This is very good chill! I used the chilli beans and simmered it a half hour longer to reduce it a little more. Thank you for the recipe!