This classic chili recipe is one that everyone should have! It’s a comforting, satisfying, and healthy dish loaded with hearty textures and traditional flavors. This delicious low carb meal is super simple and budget-friendly. There’s no long simmering time, so it’s ready in under an hour!
The perfect traditional chili is loaded with lean ground beef, onions, and beans brimming with flavor in a perfectly seasoned, tomato base. I love that it’s a simple recipe that comes together quickly in one pot…no fuss and easy cleanup!
Chili is such a customizable and versatile meal that has had many adaptations across time and place.
This recipe uses ground beef, but by all means, swap it for ground chicken or lean ground turkey. Meatless Mondays mean leaving out the meat for a vegetarian chili option. Like spicy food? Add in some cayenne pepper.
Eat it on its own, with your favorite toppings or with a slice of crusty bread or homemade cornbread. Serve it on a bed of rice, mashed potatoes, or use it as a topping for nachos.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil
- Yellow onion diced – use a white onion if you’d like.
- Lean ground beef – You can use ground turkey or ground chicken as well.
- Chicken or beef broth – Use water as a substitute for the beef broth or chicken broth if you don’t have any on hand.
- Canned petite diced tomatoes with juice – You can substitute a can of tomato sauce or tomato puree.
- Canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed – You can also use any kind of bean you’d like pinto beans or great northern beans.
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder – Use a tablespoon of fresh minced garlic.
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
Variations To Try
For more spice add in ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
This recipe is suitable for making crockpot chili, you would just need to brown the meat first before adding all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Then cook on low heat for up to 4 hours.
For an added smoky flavor, drop in a bit of liquid smoke, smoked paprika, or BBQ sauce.
If you like a heartier meat flavor in your chili, go ahead and toss in some cooked bacon, short ribs or pieces of ham.
Add a bay leaf for as another seasoning when simmering
How to Make Classic Chili with Ground Beef
To a large pot, stockpot or a large dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute onion over medium-high heat. Stir often. Add in the ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown the meat completely.
Add in the chicken or beef broth, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, light or dark, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne (if you’re adding a bit of heat).
Bring this all to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce and simmer. Stir occasionally.
Remove from heat and enjoy with your favorite sides or toppings!
Best Toppings for Chili
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onion
- Sour cream
- fresh Cilantro
- Avocado
- Jalapeno pepper
- Hot sauce
- Tortilla Chips (whole or crumbled)
- Crackers
How to Store Chili
Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
This chili freezes well too. Place in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then heat it up on the stovetop.
Try these other Chili recipes too:
Chicken Chili with White Beans
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Classic Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ½ cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 14.5 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 16 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and diced onion to a large soup pot and heat over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add in the ground beef and brown until completely cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. (approx. 7-8 minutes)
- Add the broth, tomatoes, drained beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Bring to a low boil.
- Then reduce the heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Bernice Hill
Chili is such a special dish…and so open to interpretation. This recipe is exactly how we like to make ours.
Jaclyn
Yummy and perfect for chilly nights.
Kristy Richardson
This recipe is delicious, chilli is the perfect cold day meal. The leftovers were great over baked potatoes for lunch the next day, yum!
Jane V
Chili is definitely a family fave. We tend to stay mild but may experiment with more cayenne pepper next time. Thanks!