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 jalapeno 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 ½ ounces crushed tomatoes canned
- 19 ounces kidney beans canned, drained & rinsed
- 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup beer
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- salt and 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 used this recipe as a base. To elevate this dish I added green chilies, pepperoncinis, jalapeños, a splash of liquid smoke when I cooked down the veggies. And Worcestershire as well. Garnished with Colby jack cheese and toasted cornbread pieces. It was delicious!
BEST CHILI hands down.
I normally need crackers with Chili, and I love chili. But with this recipe. No crackers, cheese or any extra toppings needed. Its perfect.
I make mine with 2, 14 oz cans HOT chili beans and a mixture of Hamburger and HOT sausage. it gives it nice heat, but not over powering.
So good.
Ok, I absolutely hate when people make changes to the original recipe. However, I made a couple of small adjustments. Instead of using chili powder and cumin, I used 2 packets of wolf brand chili seasoning (I tend to unintentionally under season my food and read a couple of comments that this recipe was not seasoned enough). Also, instead of using ground meat, I diced up stew meat. This was the best chili I’ve ever had! Thank you for sharing.
Have you ever made this with a chocolate stout? I am wondering if the chocolate flavor would overtake the other flavors. Thanks!
Hi Jada! I have never tried adding chocolate stout so I can’t say for sure. If you do decide to try it, I would love to hear how it turns out!
This is my go to chili recipe. Only thing I add is another can of red beans and we serve it over a bed of white rice. Yummy
this is my go to recipe!
my family loves it ♥️
thanks for sharing
Didn’t have any hamburger on hand so I used italian sausage. Used Yuengling for the beer, I’ll definitely be making this again!
I normally like your recipes. This is just not it. Yes I used thee best products: san marzano tomatoes, organic onions and garlic. This is super tomato-ey and kind of bland. Disappointed
Super easy recipe and tastes amazing!! Thank you.
Best chili ever and so simple to make. I used ground chicken instead of beef and chicken broth in place of beef broth
Hello Holly, I just found this recipe and I’ve got all the ingredients on my shopping list. I plan to make it tomorrow and enjoy the cooking process and the wonderful smells as it cooks on my day off.
You list beer in the recipe and many other readers agree it is a worthwhile ingredient. It would help me if you or others would suggest which type of beer might be the best to add to support what sounds like a great recipe. Thank you in advance.
Hi Michelle, you can use whatever beer you have on hand but a popular choice is a medium-bodied beer, such as a lager or ale. They add depth and richness to the chili without overpowering it. You could also use a darker beer like a stout or porter for a bolder flavor.
Thank you Holly, I’ll grab a few of those, I like them for drinking when beer is the choice.
One more question? What size pan or dutch over do you recommend for the amount of ingredients required for this recipe? I have a 5.5 quart dutch oven and a 4.5 quart pot. I am hoping to avoid filling it with half the ingredients and realizing the pot isn’t big enough LOL
Thank you,
Michelle
I would say to go with the 5.5 qt dutch oven just to be safe!
Very yummy! I didn’t use beer because I didn’t have any. I used a small can of the hot and spicy V8 juice instead. I like lots of seasoning so used more but the chili came oit amazing! I also put one small piece of extra dark chocolate in, a tip and old friend gave me. I don’t know if that really does anything but it never comes out bad when I do it.
This was a very delicious chili. I used ancho chili powder and added smoked paprika. I also used rotel for the diced tomatoes(it was what I had) and pinto beans. This is now our go to chili recipe.
Love this chilli ! This is my go to recipe every time. And adding beer makes it so flavourful.
I made this recipe and my family and friends loved it. My grandson repeatedly requests I make it for him. I make small adjustments for my taste.
I made mine with ground turkey and used vegetable or chicken broth as a substitute and it was delicious! Thank you for your recipe! It is now a family favorite! Thank you!
It’s a good starting point but not nearly enough seasoning for me. The beer isn’t a great addition- usually I leave it out.
I absolutely agree with Julie on the lack of seasoning…..great base, but very bland, though I do like beer in mine.
This has quickly moved to the top of my chili recipes! The taste was outstanding and the preparation was easy to do and fun to prepare! I made it for a gathering and it went like crazy! I have made some of your other recipes, so just want to say thank you and please keep them coming! Have a wonderful day!
So happy you are enjoying this recipe. Thank you for your kind words!
Very my family enjoyed it it’s very easy to make and thank you for your recipe!
Is this recipe gluten free friendly?
Hi Ray, always check labels on packages and cans to be sure but typically the only ingredient that would have gluten would be the beer. You can replace beer with the same quantity of beef broth instead. We would love to hear how it turns out for you!
Very good!