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.
I made this chili last year in my workplace vhil cook-off and came in first place for people’s choice! I topped mine off with good old fashion homemade buttermilk cornbread and rice! I am going to make tomorrow for Sunday dinner! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Was very good! The whole family really enjoyed it. I did 2x the recipe and it balanced well. I did add one can of fire roasted tomatoes as I had it on the shelf and wanted to just use it up!
Thank you for sharing!
Can I make this in a crockpot?
I use this slow cooker chili recipe.
I used ground turkey, stewed tomatoes and extra beef broth instead of beer. I also left out the sugar. It’s my favorite chili recipe. I prefer the broth over more tomato! Delicious!
Hey! What type of beer would you recommend?
You can use any type of beer you have on hand. I often use Budweiser.
Did I not see how much is a serving?
Hi Heather, a serving is approximately 1 ½ to 2 cups.
This is a fab, delicious recipe that tastes like it cooked for hours. I only used 1# beef and added 3 cans of different beans.
Easy and pleases everyone!
This is a great recipe. My husband is so picky and doesn’t like a lot of spice. I just cut down the chili powder so it isn’t too spicy for him.
Made chili for the first time ever tonight and followed this recipe (mostly) and it was so good and easy! I didn’t add the beer and just did more broth and then added extra seasonings (like double what the recipe called for) and some cayenne because we like it a little spicy. My husband liked it so much he ate 2 bowls. I will definitely be making this again!
I’ve been making chili my entire life but this is my new go-to recipe! To save money, I used 1 lb. of ground beef and doubled the crushed tomatoes. Didn’t have beer so I used extra beef broth instead. Glad I added the brown sugar. Delicious!
Very delicious, my new favorite chili recipe.
Delicious. Amazing especially the day after cooking. I add canned sliced mushrooms, corn and green beans. I’ve tried this recipe with ground turkey and it STILL tastes amazing. Thank you!
Awesome recipe! I also added a little Cocoa and smoked paprika, not that it needed any change. I’ve made this just as written the 1st time I made and and it was gone in 2 days. the Cocoa and smoked paprika was a great addition also !!!!! Thank you for this great recipe. I will not use another!
Delicious! I’ve tried several recipes but this is the best by far!
Amazing recipe. Even better the second day as all the spices have settled in the chili.
My favorite chili recipe so far!
I agree, the perfect chili recipe! ❤️
Turned out super yummy. I added a little bit of coco powder since I heard that can add a nice flavor! Would make again!
I always go back to this Beef Chili Recipe. Simple and delicious