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
- 2½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (19 ounce) can canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes with juices
- 1½ 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 for 45 to 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.
This is pretty much the same chili recipe I follow. I use a pound of lean ground beef and a pound of ground turkey to keep it a little bit on the lighter side. I double up on the beans (usually two different types), add a can of sweet corn and crushed red pepper. Also, we LOVE spicy in this house. Instead of brown sugar, I use hot honey. NEXT. LEVEL. People always look at me like I’m insane when I tell them I put beer and honey and sometimes even a can of pumpkin in my chili. Lol. Thanks for writing down this great recipe. I will use it. Mine is just in my head and I always am SURE I have forgotten to add something critically important!
That sounds delicious Marcy! Thank you for sharing your version.
So GOOD
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Dan!
i wanted to try a different chilli recipe so i thought i would give this one a go based solely on the 4.95 stars out of 5. wow! it did not disappoint. it was flavorful without being overpowering. the only thing i altered was leaving out the onion and kidney beans.
How long will this hold in fridge?
Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Chili also freezes well if needed.
So so good! Will be my go to chili recipe, thank you!
Great recipe!
Personally, I love adding corn (frozen Birds Eye Super Sweet Corn). I also like adding canned whole Mild Green Chiles. That way, I can slice them lengthwise and remove the seeds. (Some of us older people have very serious problems with seeds) I make Garlic toast (homemade) Thank you for your wonderful recipe!
This chili was delicious! My 6 yo even liked it. Making it again dirtier the second time 😊
Loved this recipe, although the chili flavor was a little light for us so I added about 2tbsp more chili powder while cooking. Served it with cornbread, corn chips, green onion, jalapeños and shredded cheddar cheese. Tasted even better on day 2!
What kind of beer do you use for this recipe? I typically choose a dark beer like Guinness but was curious what you like best 🙂
I generally use a lighter beer (like Budweiser) as it’s what we usually have on hand. If you have a darker beer, that should work just fine!
How many pounds of ground beef for 8 people?
This recipe serves 8 Nicole!
my family is five and I usually do 3 pounds of ground beef. I have teen boys though and a little girl and they go through it like crazy 😂
I am trying this recipe this weekend and i have to double it. I feel like 2 lbs of ground beef is enough for 16 servings or am I wrong and you actually need 4lbs of ground beef?
It depends how beefy you like it. 2 lbs for 16 servings is quite a small amount, only ⅛ lb per serving however it would still be delicious. If you don’t want to use 4 lbs, I think 3 lbs would be okay and then I would also add some extra beans.
I don’t normally leave reviews, but this a really good chili recipe! I did add some crushed red peppers for more kick. Will definitely be my go to chili recipe. Thank you.
Wayyyy too watery.
Oh no! I’ve made this many times and not found that. If you find it too watery I recommend simmering for longer.
1 small can tomato paste should help
Excellent!!! It’s a keeper
We added more peppers to add heat
Cut beef broth way back
Keep them coming Holly!
Thank you