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 added some smoked paprika and hot sauce, as I didn’t have a jalapeño. My family loved it!
Stumbled upon this recipe two months ago and have had friends beg for me to make it consistently ever since! It’s so easy, and absolutely delicious! I’ve never added the beer and have honestly never added the extra beef broth, and it’s still been perfect. Making it again tonight :-)
I am so happy to hear you have been loving this recipe Megan! Thank you for sharing.
I had to make some small substitutions for things I was out of (pasta sauce and a second jalapeno instead of crushed tomatoes and a green pepper) but it was amazing! Great recipe!
This is a very good chili recipe. I usually make chili without a recipe but I looked for one this time because I wanted to make sure it would be good. My chili tastes different every time. But I’m going to use this recipe from now on. I can’t tell what it is, maybe the proportions of the ingredients or maybe it’s the sugar or beef broth but this is a great recipe!
I’m going to make this tomorrow! Can I simmer for longer? I thought the “best chilis” had to be cooked low and slow for atleast an hour to add “flavour “ I’m new to cooking so I don’t know too much! Would love to know what you think!
I find it has plenty of flavor as is, but you can certainly simmer longer! It will just thicken the chili and intensify the flavors even more. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out Nicole!
I made this yesterday & leftovers today with the flavours melded even more are so yummy! As I did not have beer, I used the beef broth version and followed the recipe as written. This chili has just the right amount of heat for me, just barely there. Thank you, Holly, for another of your delicious, no fail recipes.
You’re very welcome Audrey! I’m so happy to hear that you love the chili and the other recipes too.
Literally the best chili I’ve ever had!!
Delicious! Everyone loved it and had seconds!
Very good chili. Nice and easy too.
nice recipe that you can makes hotter or milder. I have quit drinking so I use root beer instead of beer. adds a nice depth of flavor.
And sweetness too, thanks for the tip Congrats on moving on from alcohol. Liberating, isn’t it?
So easy & so yummy!
I am so glad you loved this recipe Lori!
The worst chili I have ever made!!!!!
Oh no!! This recipe is normally a hit with readers. What didn’t you like about it? Maybe I can help troubleshoot!
DELICIOUS recipe. I added in extra brown sugar than the recipe called for, as well as red chili pepper flakes and Tony’s seasoning. It was so yummy and the aroma is lovely
Graet 😋😋😋
My wife and I love this chili and it’s pretty easy to make. We often serve it over elbow macaroni which makes a great meal. I only take exception to the same thing I usually do with most recipes, the prep time is longer than stated. It takes me about an hour from getting the ingredients out until I get everything in the pot ready to simmer. Maybe I’m slow.
I made the chili as posted with the exception of accidentally buying the crushed tomatoes with chili flavors already added. I was worried my chili would be overly spiced, but it wasn’t and actually could have used a bit more. But it was good enough that I didn’t change it later, just kept eating it. Overall, it is really meaty and good. I didn’t have brown sugar, so I threw in a handful of chocolate chips.
Some of these reviews are really odd. If it is bland, add more spice to your taste. If you made a completely different chili, don’t review this one!
This is my “go to” recipe it’s always delicious! When I have leftover bbq pork ribs I throw them in as well! When I don’t have beer I use one cup of coffee. Always a yummy dinner with cornbread muffins! Thank you for sharing! 😊
You’re welcome April! Thank you for sharing your swaps and ideas too! Sounds delish.
I have some venison burger so I’m going to use that. I’ve used that before and it was delicious. otherwise I’m going to follow the recipe.
Never tried with beer..
Lovely
This is my new go to chili recipe! My husband liked it so much I actually wrote it on recipe card to save!
Very tasty with turkey and a bit healthier!
I love it!! Very easy to prepare and so delicious!!!