Warm, hearty and comforting, this Classic Homemade Chili Recipe is the only one you'll ever need, guaranteed! Ridiculously rich and flavorful and so simple to throw together on a busy day.
Need another ground beef recipe? Try my delicious Authentic Italian Meatballs.
Chili for me, is the epitome of comfort food. I love making a big batch of this classic chili for my family when it's cold outside. Picture a steaming bowl cradled in your hands, the aroma wafting through the air, instantly bringing you to a place of warmth and coziness after a cold winter day. Sounds like pure perfection, if you ask me!
My recipe starts on the stovetop and can either simmer there to finish cooking or finish it off in the crock pot and simmer it all day. I prefer making it in the crockpot when I have the extra time because the longer you let it cook, the more flavorful it becomes and I love being able to set it and forget it for a few hours. It's also even better the next day! I posted this recipe back in 2016 and have never strayed since!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Rich Flavor: This beef chili recipe has a well-balanced combination of spices, herbs, and ingredients that is insanely delicious.
- Customize to your liking: The versatility of this easy chili recipe allows for easy customization, accommodating different dietary preferences, protein choices, or spice levels. I give you ideas for substitutions, additions and variations below.
- Easy Recipe: The recipe is super straightforward, easy to follow, and uses simple ingredients making this the greatest chili recipe for home cooks at any experience level.
- Make-Ahead: The flavors of the chili intensify over time, enhancing the taste when reheated, making it a delicious option for leftovers or convenient meal prepping for the week!
- Crowd Favorite: This classic chili is always such a hit at gatherings or events! When serving this chili, I constantly receive positive feedback from friends and family, making it a safe and reliable choice for entertaining. This chili is especially great for game days or Super Bowl celebrations!
- Award Winning: Readers have reached out over the years to let me know that my chili recipe won their chili cook-off! How cool is that!
Ingredient notes
This award winning chili recipe makes enough to feed a crowd! It also uses very simple ingredients for it to come together quick and easy.
- Ground beef: I like to use around 85% lean ground beef in my chili but it doesn't matter too much what you choose. Just be sure to drain the grease very well after browning the meat. You can also substitute ground turkey, if you prefer.
- Bell Pepper: Dice into small pieces - you can use a mixture of any color pepper you like.
- Onion: You can use yellow or sweet onions.
- Tomatoes: Using a mixture of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce gives the perfect texture. Not too thin and not too thick. Diced tomatoes are also used to add some more depth to the chili - I use fire roasted garlic diced tomatoes just because I love the flavor but plain diced tomatoes are fine too.
- Chili Seasoning Recipe: I make my own homemade chili seasoning because it truly tastes so much better than store-bought and has so much less sodium. I feel much better about feeding it to my family. A heavy hand of spices are used for a ton of amazing flavor.
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to balance and cut the acidity of the tomatoes in the recipe.
- Crushed red pepper
- Parsley
- Basil
- Salt
- Beans: I don't use beans in my recipe because beans don't belong in chili! Just kidding, my family just doesn't like them, so I leave them out for a beanless chili. If you want to add some beans to your chili, try adding kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans or another bean of your choice.
Substitutions & Variations
- Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Add spice to your chili: This recipe is pretty mild in the spice department, so if you like a spicy chili, feel free to increase the spice level by adding a few dashes of hot sauce, sprinkle in some chili flakes or even chop up a few jalapeños and sauté them along with the bell peppers.
Serving suggestions for chili
Chili is amazing as a main dish but there are so many different ways to serve or even use leftover chili for other recipes, here are some ideas:
- Chili Mac & cheese
- Chili dogs
- Serve over rice, crispy potato wedges, baked potatoes, nachos, fries, or cornbread waffles.
- Serve alongside some homemade cornbread muffins. This is actually a must.
How to make the best chili
Everyone likes a different consistency to their chili. Some like it soupy, some like it hearty, I like mine right in the middle. If you like a thicker chili, cut back on the tomato sauce - if you like it thinner, add some more tomato sauce. Easy peasy.
This recipe for the best chili is prepared quickly and can be cooked a few different ways.
Crockpot chili instructions:
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet until cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté onions and peppers in the same skillet until tender.
- Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and set to low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Stovetop chili instructions:
- Brown ground beef in a large pot until cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté onions and peppers in the same skillet until tender.
- Add beef back to skillet along with remaining ingredients and bring to a low boil. Stir well, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes.
What toppings go well with chili?
You may also want to have these as toppings to really take your chili up a notch. Think: Chili bar! A chili bar would be SO perfect and fun for football season and game days.
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour Cream
- Sliced Scallions
- Sliced Jalapeno
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Chopped avacado
- Diced red onion
- Hot sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
Jessica's Recipe Tips
- Have picky eaters? You can pulse the vegetables in a food processor first so they are undetectable! Ask me how I know. 😉
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Start by turning the instant pot to sauté. Brown the ground beef and drain. Sauté the onions and peppers in a little olive oil. Add meat back into instant pot along with all other ingredients. Stir and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Release the pressure either manually or allow it to release naturally.
Absolutely! Freeze in an airtight container and defrost in refrigerator overnight. Reheat on the stove or microwave. This recipe will keep well for about 3 months stored in the freezer.
Yes! Please feel free to use any ground meat you'd like. Ground Turkey or even ground chicken are good options.
This is a personal preference.
Leave out the ground beef and add your favorite kinds of beans to make this recipe vegetarian.
Sugar is used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes used in my homemade chili recipe. Using a small amount of sugar balances the flavors which in turn creates a smoother and richer taste overall.
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📋 Recipe
Best Classic Homemade Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1-2 red or green bell peppers, diced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 28 oz tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes, or regular diced tomatoes
Chili Seasoning
- 8 tbs chili powder
- 2 tbs garlic powder
- 2 tbs onion powder
- 2 tbs cumin
- 1 tbs salt , or to taste
- 1 tbs granulated sugar
- 1 tbs parsley
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions:
- In a large pot, brown ground beef until cooked through. Drain well and set aside. Brown ground beef in a large pot until cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté onions and peppers in the same skillet until tender. Add beef and remaining ingredients and bring to a low boil uncovered for 45-60 minutes.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef until cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté onions and peppers in the same skillet until tender.
- Add all ingredients to a crockpot and set to low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Michele says
I made this last night, adding a can of beans and a bit of chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Only because my family prefers the beans and a bit of a spicy kick. It is perfection! Hubby says the best chili I’ve ever made in 35 years of marriage! This will be my forever recipe. My search for the best chili recipe is over! I thank you!
N. James says
Thank you! Absolutely love this recipe, it’s a hit in my home!