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
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.
Perfect recipe, easy and delicious!
Delicious recipe and easy to follow. Wasn’t sure about the beer at first but I can see how it adds to the dish.
This was easy and great! I did add another can of mild chili beans but the spices were just right!
Really great recipe. I did add the brown sugar. I also added a bit of veg, celery and corn (cuz I had them in the fridge). I will defiantly make this again. Also made with ground turkey and white beans / Canalli. I can’t stop eating it!
I’ve used this recipe multiple times, only adding smoked paprika, fire roasted diced garlic tomatoes and my family loves it!
I made this recipe a couple of weeks ago. I love it. Just the right consistency I like for my chili. I have used some of your recipes in the past, and they are delicious.
Can you make this in the crockpot?
I use this slow cooker chili recipe.
Exchanged a can of diced tomatoes for el pato and added half a can of hominy. It’s a great chili that is quick!
Absolutely delicious! I made this recipe and it was actually my first time ever adding beer. I’ll definitely be using beer from now on!
I (accidentally) altered the recipe and even so it was delicious. These ingredients work beautifully together! Thank you
Could I substitute wine(white wine) for beer?
Hi June, you can replace the beer with broth if you prefer. I have never tried replacing it with wine.
Great for first time making chili
Can you make this in an instant pot or slow cooker? What would the instructions be for time?
Slow cooking this recipe will mean less evaporation so it won’t thicken enough. I would suggest this slow cooker recipe specifically designed for the crock pot! We also have delicious Instant Pot Chili recipe that sounds perfect for you!
It was my first time trying this recipe and it was delicious! My husband ate 3 bowls! We’ve been eating canned or frozen chili for years but this is so much better. Perfect amount of spices and I made it alongside some cornbread. Will be using this recipe for years to come!
most excellent. Best ever. thank you
What type of beer is best for chili?
You can use any type of beer you have on hand. I often use Budweiser.
what kind of beer – light, dark?
You can use any type of beer you have on hand. I often use Budweiser.
Can I exclude the beans?
You sure can.
Yummy. Everyone loved it!!!!!
If you leave the seeds in the jalapeños, will it make it spicy. We like spicy chili.
Best chili I have ever had, and so easy to make! My boyfriend went completely crazy over this!
Oh my! I’m 82 and have been cooking since age 39 (after a divorce and getting tired of hot dogs!). My fav winter food to prepare is chili. This recipe is by far the BEST ever! Thank you!!!