Chili Basics
Has this not been the busiest December of all time? I know I’m looking forward to slowing down later this week and on into the new year!
I’ve been so busy that it’s been hard to even get into the kitchen for a minute, but when someone emailed me asking for a basic, no-frills chili recipe I thought, “There’s always time for chili!” I’ve made several chili recipes for the blog in the past, but this particular reader requested a version with no seasoning packets and no V8 juice (my favorite secret ingredient). I can definitely do that.
So, here is the the most basic of basic chili recipes that anyone can conquer. If you want to start experimenting with more flavors, I’ve listed a bunch of substitutions and add-ins at the end of the post. Chili is an instant winner no matter how you do it, so have fun and make it your own!
Basic Chili
Basic Chili
This basic, no-frills chili recipe is ready for your personal touch. Fast, easy, and filling!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
- 1 yellow onion $0.49
- 2 cloves garlic $0.32
- 1 lb ground beef $4.79
- 15 oz can kidney beans $1.09
- 15 oz can black beans $0.89
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes $0.50
- 6 oz 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 ground pepper $0.03
Instructions
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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.
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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 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers).
Recipe Notes
**The chili powder used is a mild blend of dried chilies and other spices. It is not spicy or hot. Click here for an example.
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 the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and one cup of water.
Stir that all together until the tomato paste is well incorporated, then add the spices. 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 15 minutes over low heat with a lid on top to allow the flavors to blend. If you have time, let it simmer longer. Now it’s done!
How easy was that? Totally gobble-licious. This freezes REALLY well, too, so make a big pot!
Now how about those variations?
Protein:
- Use half pound ground beef and add an extra can of beans (pinto beans are great) to cut costs
- Use no beef and add two cans of extra beans for a vegetarian version
- Mexican chorizo makes a spicy alternative to beef (squeeze the ground meat out of the casing and brown just like the beef)
- Shredded chicken breast works well and I’ve even used chopped up chicken thighs
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 might want to reduce the salt in the chili seasoning
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
Veggies:
- Make an extra veggie-licious chili by adding finely diced zucchini and bell pepper
- Poblano peppers add a really great southwest flavor (sauté with 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
Toppings:
- Cheddar or monterrey jack cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Corn Chips
What is your favorite chili secret ingredient, add-in, or topping?
(Share in the comments below)
So I made this tonight I let it simmer a few hours and even without letting it simmer it was really good. I had to taste it right away lol! Only changes I made were because of what I had on hand. I didn’t use black beans only because I didn’t have any and the meat I used was smoked chipotle ground beef because of that I didn’t add the cayenne. This is really a great recipe. I stopped it with green onion, a few crushed vegetable triscuts and vegetable cream cheese. Soooo good! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the recipe even though I haven’t tried it yet I am going to bring it to the chili cook off in school. 😁
My favourite recipe and perfect for this weekend’s snowstorm.
We always keep these ingredients on hand and it’s so easy to put together. I top my chili with green onions (I toss the white parts in with the onion), cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, avocado and hot sauce. My favourite add ins are lentils, chipotle in adobo sauce, vinegar, and cocoa powder. Instead of ground beef we add in a can of pinto beans (sometimes we get the ones with onions in it).
I put the chili together well in advance of us eating it and just leave it simmering. On a work day I’ll assemble everything in the crockpot – set it and forget it.
dear beth, here in egypt we have only dry white kidney beans and dry black eyed beans
can i use them instead of red kidney and black beans for your recipe of budget chili recipe
So can I use all the extra spice add ins together? I’m using Guinness instead of water and adding green bell pepper. I’m super excited.
Making basically a half-batch of this today using just 1 can of black beans, no beef, and no tomato puree. I’m thinking about throwing in the sweet potato fiber leftovers from my fresh sweet potato juice I made earlier to add some more bulk (and nutrition!) instead of throwing it away. Ought to be interesting.
Great, easy recipe!! thanks so much! thanks for giving the options to add on more things. affordable and yummy!
I love this site for making chili. It’s my only go to recipe. Not only do they walk you through what you need ingredients wise and cooking directions, they also give you suggestions to add to the chili to make it your own. My boyfriend loves it and we can’t stop eating it lol.
I made a double batch with ground turkey. Played with smoked paprika and cinnamon. Also added 6 drops of the bomb and my wife and I think this is the best chili I have made. So very easy and so many flavors!
I used 2 tsp. Of smoked paprika and left out the tomato paste. I also let it simmer for a few hours and it was great. I will never eat any other chili again.