Classic Chili Recipe

4.87 from 15 votes

The best chili is a homemade chili and easy to make with ground beef, beans, fire roasted tomatoes and the perfect chili seasonings, what I grew up with.

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beans, chili, chili powder, ground beef

Servings:

Calories: 405kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion diced
2-3 jalapeno peppers diced (use bell pepper for milder heat)
6 cloves garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 tablespoons chili powder or more to taste
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for extra spicy
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with juices (or use fire roasted tomatoes as a tasty alternative, my preference)
1 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes with juices
2 15 ounce cans red kidney beans drained and rinsed
Optional Extras: 1 tablespoon or more hot sauce 1 tablespoon or more red pepper flakes (for a spicier version)
Toppings. Choose your favorites!

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot to medium heat.
Add the onion and peppers and cook 2-3 minutes to soften.
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Brown the meat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste, and tomato paste. Cook 1-2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
Add the beef broth, tomatoes, and kidney beans.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and develop. You can simmer longer if you’d like, up to 60 minutes.
Serve with your favorite chili toppings, like shredded cheddar cheese, spicy chili flakes, sour cream, chopped green onion, chopped cilantro or parsley, fritos or tortilla chips, or others.

Notes

Nutritional information estimated without toppings.

Nutrition