A chili recipe so easy, you’ll have family dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with hardly any effort, all in one pot and just the right amount of heat.
Chili is on the menu tonight, my friends, because the weather is turning nice and cool and chili is always PERFECT for this time of year.
We’re also slammed here lately, as I know you all are, so I’ve made this Chili recipe as easy as possible so that you can fit into your busy family schedules.
How to Make a Quick and Easy Pot of Chili
First, heat up a large pot to medium heat and add a bit of olive oil.
Add some ground beef or ground turkey along with peppers and onions and cook them down about 5 minutes or so, until the beef is mostly cooked through and the peppers and onions have softened up.
Stir in some garlic, hot chili beans and canned tomatoes. I’m using Red Gold Diced Tomatoes Chili Ready for this recipe. No chopping! Extra seasonings!
Next, swirl in your chili powders and seasoning mixture – more on that below – and set the mixture to low heat. Let the chili simmer for 45 minutes to an hour.
That’s it! Walk away!
It doesn’t get any easier than this.
When you’re ready to serve, give the pot of chili a stir.
Scoop it into bowls, then top it with your favorite fixings, like shredded cheese, crackers, chili pepper slices, fresh herbs, whatever else you love on your chili. Maybe some hot sauce!
I truly love an easy, easy recipe. This was the easiest. It's the perfect spin on my classic chili recipe.
The only downside of this recipe is how the entire house smells like chili cooking, wafting through the air, driving me (and everyone else) insane with hunger. The whole family will be waiting with anticipation.
You’ll just have to deal with it! Upside? You’ve just made for yourself a good hour of family time while the chili simmers away.
Bonus!
Can I Make This Recipe in a Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! Follow the recipe, but first cook down the peppers and onions with your ground meat in some oil in a pan first, then simply transfer the mixture along with the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker.
Give it all a swirl and let it cook low and slow for at least 2 hours on low, or until the flavors meld to your liking. You can let it cook longer.
BOOM! So easy!
Recipe Notes and Variations
This recipe works great with either ground beef or ground turkey, depending on your preference, but I’ve made this also with ground pork, ground chicken, and even ground sausage. It is SUPER versatile.
Also, feel free to vary up the beans. Most people use pinto beans for their chili, but I love large butter beans and will often toss those in for some visual and flavor variety.
I just crave them. Go crazy with beans!
Heat and Spice Factor
I used a couple jalapeno peppers along with some extra spicy chili flakes to add to the spiciness and heat of the chili powders. You can tamp down the heat by using bell peppers instead and omitting the spicy chili flakes. You’ll still get plenty of heat from the seasonings.
If you’re looking to up the heat factor, use spicier peppers and extra chili flakes. Serranos, anyone? Yes!
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftover chili in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To enjoy it again, simply reheat it over medium heat in a pot on the stovetop.
You can also freeze chili in freezer proof containers for 3 months or longer. I freeze batches all the time. It reheats perfectly after thawing.
That’s it, my friends! Time to get cooking! I hope you enjoy your super easy chili!
Try Some My Other Popular Chili Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H
Quick and Easy Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey I used ground turkey for this recipe
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 2 15 ounce cans hot chili beans
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon morita chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Add the ground meat, onion and jalapenos. Cook them down about 5 minutes, until the meat browns and the onion and peppers soften up.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir everything together. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat and simmer at least 20 minutes. Simmer up to 1 hour for more developed flavor.
- Adjust for salt and pepper and serve into bowls. Top with your favorite fixings.
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 10/6/25 to include new information. It was originally published on 11/19/18.
Ed Moder says
I made a double batch of this chili today and it was delicious! Thank you!
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Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Ed!
Ed Moder says
The leftovers are actually better than the first day as the flavors permeate through all the ingredients.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! I love that about chili, and big pots of stew, particularly beef stew. It's always better the next day.
Lisa Murphey says
Love your recipes! I making easy chili right now, just got chili in Memphis after a hot hot hot summer. I share your site with all my friends. Thank you for sharing! Best wishes, Murphey
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Lisa! Glad you're finding recipes you enjoy! Happy cooking! =)
Lisa Murphey says
thank you!
Shane says
This was great along with your Jalapeno cornbread 🙂 The next day I threw a couple of fried eggs on top of a bowl of the Chili along with a slice of the corn bread.....Wow!!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfect! Thanks, Shane!
Cheryl says
Going to try this for my Superbowl party! Can't wait!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, so easy! And tasty for sure.
LEO S LESSARD says
Hi, Your chili sounds pretty enticing. Here is a quick chili recipe that I made up quite some time ago:
52 ounce can of Ranch Style Beans
14.5 ounce diced tomatoes
15 ounce tomato sauce
1 pound stew meat
2 Tbsp Chili powder or more to taste
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 small to medium onion, diced
8 garlic cloves, minced or 2 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 beef bouillon cubes
1. Mix the beans, diced tomatoes, and the tomato sauce in a large pot on medium heat.
2. Cook the stew meat in a skillet with the onions, garlic and the Worcestershire sauce.
3. Cook to brown the meat then add to the pot.
4. Add the chili powder and the cumin.
5. Add the beef bouillon cubes and the garlic to taste.
6. Boil until the consistency is as desired.
Doesn't take any time at all..
Enjoy,
Leo
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds quite delicious, Leo! Thanks for sharing!
Bryan says
You had my full attention at "easy" and you weren't wrong! I can definitely make this without my girlfriend yelling at me for messing it up haha I'll give this recipe a try soon, thank you!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Yes, good luck, Bryan!