Simple Homemade Chili
Now that it’s officially fall, I think we could all use a good primer on how to make a basic pot of chili. I have several chili recipes on this website, but this basic chili recipe is my absolute favorite. Like, so good that I can’t stop going back for spoonfuls. Not only is this classic chili recipe super flavorful and easy, but it can be used as a template which can be customized in a number of ways to make it your very own. Scroll down for ideas for customizing the proteins, spices, liquids, vegetables, and toppings!
Originally posted 12-23-2013, updated 9-23-18.
Simple, Perfect & Easy Classic Chili
I like to add fresh jalapeños, cheese, green onion, and crushed tortilla chips to my chili!
Customize Your Homemade Chili:
Use a Different Protein:
- Use half pound ground beef and add an extra can of beans (pinto beans are great) to reduce costs
- Make your chili without beef (vegetarian) with two cans of extra beans instead of the beef
- To make your chili without beans, use 2 lbs. ground beef instead of one
- Mexican chorizo makes a spicy alternative to beef and really increases the flavor of the chili
- Use other ground meat, such as ground turkey or chicken
- Shredded chicken breast works well in chili and I’ve even used chopped up chicken thighs
Add Flavorful Liquids:
- Instead of water, use tomato or vegetable juice (like V8 juice)
- Using dark beer instead of water adds a super earthy flavor
- Beef broth instead of water gives the chili extra flavor oomph, but you’ll need to reduce the salt in the chili seasoning
Customize the Spices:
- Adding a couple chipotle chiles will give the chili a very spicy and smokey flavor
- A little smoked paprika (1 tsp) will add smokiness without extra heat
- Cocoa powder (1/2-1 Tbsp) makes the chili extra rich
- Cinnamon (1 tsp) plays nicely with the chili peppers
Add Extra Vegetables:
- Make an extra veggie-licious chili by adding finely diced zucchini and bell pepper
- Poblano peppers add a really great southwest flavor (sauté with the onions and garlic)
- Jalapeños sautéed with the onions and garlic make for an extra spicy chili
- Add a cup of frozen corn kernels for flavor, color, and texture
- Diced sweet potato or butternut squash adds a unique sweet contrast and beautiful color
Use Fun Toppings:
- Cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
What is your favorite chili secret ingredient, add-in, or topping? Share in the comments below!
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
YES! Chili is one of my favorite foods for stocking my freezer. After cooking your chili, divide it into single portions and let it cool in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, make sure it’s labeled with the contents and date, then transfer to the freezer. You can keep your chili in the freezer for about three months.
To reheat, simply let the chili thaw in the refrigerator over night then reheat in a pot over low heat, adding water if needed, until heated through, or microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
How Long Should You Cook Chili?
Chili is one of those dishes that tastes better the longer it cooks (to a point). You’ll want to let this chili simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes, but it’s something that you can leave simmering gently for up to a couple of hours. If you do plan to let your chili simmer for a longer period of time, make sure to put a lid on it so it doesn’t dry out. Check it occasionally to see if it is becoming dry, and if so, add a little water.
Simple Homemade Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
- 1 yellow onion ($0.49)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.32)
- 1 lb. ground beef ($4.79)
- 1 15oz. can kidney beans ($1.09)
- 1 15oz. can black beans ($0.89)
- 1 15oz. can diced tomatoes ($0.50)
- 1 6oz. can tomato paste ($0.55)
- 1 cup water ($0.00)
Chili Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp chili powder** ($0.30)
- 1 tsp ground cumin ($0.10)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.03)
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.02)
- 1 tsp salt ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper ($0.03)
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat until they are soft and transparent. Add the ground beef and continue to sauté until the beef is fully browned.
- Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, and all of the ingredients for the chili seasoning. Stir until well combined. Place a lid on the pot and allow it to simmer over a low flame for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers).
- Give the chili one final taste, adjust the salt or seasonings if needed, then serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
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Scroll down for the step by step photos!
How to Make Homemade Chili – Step by Step Photos
Start by dicing one onion and mincing two cloves of garlic. Cook the onions and garlic with 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until they are soft and transparent.
Add one pound of ground beef and continue to cook until it is fully browned.
Drain a 15oz. can each of black beans and kidney beans and add them to the pot along with a 15oz. can diced tomatoes, a 6oz. can of tomato paste, and one cup of water.
Stir that all together until the tomato paste is well incorporated. Doesn’t look like much yet, but just wait…
Add the chili spices to the pot of chili. I used my recipe for Homemade Chili Seasoning, plus a little brown sugar. 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar. If you don’t have all the ingredients to make your own chili seasoning, you can add a store bought packet of chili seasoning at this point.
Let the pot simmer for at least 30 minutes over low heat with a lid on top to allow the flavors to blend and for the natural sugars in the tomatoes to caramelize, which reduces the acidity. If you have time, let it simmer longer. Now your “basic” chili is done!
How easy was that? Now go crazy with the toppings. Look in your fridge for leftovers and see what fun things you can use to top your basic chili to make it not so basic anymore.
This tastes really good, especially since it’s my first time making it, my family really enjoyed it. Thank you!!!
I’m sorry but no pinto beans and plus sugar makes it a no in my books.
Oh. My. God. BEST CHILI I’VE EVER HADDD
I’ve even switched up the ingredients a few times and…IT’S STILL GOOD!
I’m a vegetarian so I switch the beef with, Morning star crumblers!!
I didn’t have black beans one time so I used a can of pre-made lentils and oh my god that was sooo good.
I’m not kidding, I’ve tried explaining the greatness of this recipe to my friends and they’re like “Jeez Amy, It’s just chili, I’ve had chili before” BUT YOU HAVEN’T HAD THIS CHILI YET! Try it. And then you can tell me if you like it or not (Pewdiepie Refrence) Okay anyway, its the best, Try it! I’ts my favorite thing ever to make! Super simple too! I add in some red hot chili flakes and let it simmer for as long as I want! (Last time I did an hour and oh boy, that baby was scrumptious af) Okay bye! Thank you for making this recipe!
This is not only a delicious recipe as written, but very easy to adjust too. I’ve made it before exactly, but since then, we’ve gone vegetarian, so I made it using impossible burger this week.
Swapped 1 lb ground meat for 1 lb impossible burger
Added 2 diced bell peppers
Added 1 cup frozen corn
Increased to 2 cups liquid, using vegetable broth
Swapped 1 15 oz black beans for kidney beans
I cooked the onions alone in the dutch oven while I cooked the impossible burger halfway in another pan. Since I was increasing the veggies so much, I wanted to make sure the burger had enough contact with the pan to crisp. Then I added the rest of the veggies, the burger, and cooked until the burger was brown. I continued as the recipe steps indicate except for the final 30 minutes. I left the lid off to reduce more. I may not have needed a full 2 cups liquid, but I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too dry!
That looks good, whatever it is! :D
Sincerely,
Chris from Texas
This is absolutely the best chili recipe we have tried and we make it all the time. I’m making it now! We are vegan so we skip the meat and add extra beans instead. Also, the cacao powder and cinnamon give some nice flavor and extra health benefits.