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 wouldn’t call it “The Best”, but ve
Ryan, very good. Enjoyed
it immensely.
This recipe did not disappoint. I substituted sliced stewed tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes as I was going for a bit chunkier texture. Also left out the jalepeno since I wanted my chili mild. The chili powder was enough for me. I also used beer and the optional brown sugar. Came out fantastic! Loved cooking this just as much eating it. Incredibly aromatic while cooking. Really warms your heart and tummy.
delicious, easy, and healthy – the perfect trifecta!
I have made this recipe many times and it’s always excellent! Very easy to tweak with what you have on hand as well. Tonight I used ground venison and sausage and added a can of black beans and a can of corn. Perfect with sour cream and tortilla chips! This recipe is a hit! Thank you!
this recipe is delicious. followed the recipe this time but next time will add some jalapeno seeds for some heat.
That sounds like a great idea, KC! Glad you enjoyed our recipe.
We followed the recipe verbatim. Sorry this one didn’t work for us, no heat and very little flavor.
Thanks for trying our recipe, Sharlyne. Sorry to hear it didn’t turn as expected. You can definitely adjust the heat and seasoning to what works for you! If you do try again, I would love to hear your alterations.
I purched your Book Everyday Comfort and I love it. I have tried at least 10 of the receipes have enjoyed all of them so far. In fact, I cooked the Quick Bean soup today, so good.
I ĺived in Canada for twenty years, my husband was born in Minnidosa, Manidosa
So glad you are enjoying our recipes, Sandra! Thank you so much for your support ❤️
Made a couple tweaks, the big one being ground chicken instead of beef and the other one being only adding a large can of beer and concentrated chicken stock paste instead of broth so it is a bit less liquidy. The beer I used was a winter ale which has more flavour. Worked out great. Thank you for the recipe!
can you cook this in a crock pot? and if so for how long on low? Thank you
Hi Cheryl, we have this slow cooker chili recipe that would be great for that.
love this chilli recipe!
I come back to this recipe every time we’re in the mood for chili. My entire family loves it! The beer adds a good depth of flavor.
what if i dont have brown sugar? is there anything to sub for that? i have powdered, granulated, stevia…everything but!!! aghh! thanks!! 1st time making this… and also- your opinion please: I’ve seen recipes that have worcestershire sauce, do u not recommended this?
You can leave the brown sugar out if you don’t have any, it balances the acidity of the tomatoes. I don’t add Worcestershire to chili but you could certainly add some if you’d like.
Looks delicious
Just finished it. Added the sugar, pepper & salt to taste. PERFECT!!! Great recipe!
Best chilli I have ever made!
I’ve tried reading through comments to see if anyone else has asked this question, but the page keeps crashing, so sorry if this is a repeated question! What style of beer do you use? Lager, stout, ale, etc? Also, of that style, do you have a preferred brand? Thanks in advance!
I generally use Budweiser since it’s what I have but any variety will work!
I made this. we’ll i tried to. little bit of tweeking. I live half hr from grocery store so I went with what I had. 1 can black beans, I can beans in tomato sauce, 1 small can diced tomatoes, 1 can hunts tomato sauce, 1 sn all cn tomato paste, cp chopped onion, 3 quarters lb hamburger, 2 Italian sausage, 1 can beef broth, half teaspoon cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 heap tablespoons chopped garlic out of jar, 2 teaspoon paprika. black pepper from grinder till looked good, cooked in slow cooker couple hrs the cracked lid to thicken. didn’t use green pepper and heat cause family won’t eat. served with greater cheddar and sour cream on top with garlic bread. wasn’t quite hour but close as I could get. was a big hit. I made half batch and I also added the brown sugar
thanks for the recipe. it’s easy and you can make it from what you have and tastes great
So glad it worked out well for you! Thanks for sharing your alterations, Monique.
I just made this a 2nd time and it is SO VERY good. The jalapeño and green pepper add a nice freshness in each spoonful. Don’t skip the cup of beer, which elevates this to a restaraunt quality dish. This is my go-to chili recipe!
Just what I was looking for! My fiancé and I absolutely loved it. Its a keeper!
I have made this multiple times. My family loves it. I freeze portions for my daughter to take home so she doesn’t have to think about cooking all of the time. (College student) She loves it! Thank you!