The Best Chili Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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Updated on Dec 4, 2023

See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.

This is the ultimate Chili Recipe: Ground beef, beans, and the perfect mix of spices give this hearty homemade chili the BEST flavor!

Looking for more ground beef recipes? Try Hamburger Soup, Goulash or Stuffed Peppers next.

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How to Make the Best Chili

I’ve been making chili for years and years, and along the way I’ve learned quite a few tips and tricks for making the best ever homemade chili. This chili recipe is thick and flavorful with the rich, complex flavor that characterizes a great chili.

  • Use the right spices. The secret to the best chili is to use a flavorful mix of spices to give the chili a spicy, nuanced flavor that keeps you going back for more. This recipe uses chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Add a touch of sweetness. I add a tablespoon of brown sugar to my chili and it brings just a bit of sweetness to complement the spicy flavors. It’s so good. Try it and see for yourself!
  • Use tomato paste and fire roasted tomatoes. Tomato paste brings rich tomato flavor to the chili and also helps to thicken it. Fire roasted tomatoes add a deep, smoky flavor that works so well in a chili recipe.
  • Simmer it to thicken the chili and develop the flavors. I simmer this chili on the stove for 1-2 hours, and if you have time to let it cook for 2 hours, you’ll be rewarded with a deeper flavor and a thicker chili.
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How to Make Chili

Sauté the onion. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot. Add the onion and cook until softened.

Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook it, crumbling with a spoon, until browned.

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Add the garlic, seasonings and tomato paste. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds while stirring. Then stir in the chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste.

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Stir in the broth, tomatoes and beans. Scrape up any browned bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.

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Simmer the chili with a lid on the pot for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

To thicken chili, uncover the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking and simmer until it is your desired thickness.

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Chili Toppings

This is the fun part! Everyone can add their favorite toppings to their bowl of chili.

  • Cheese. Shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack or cotija are all delicious on top of chili.
  • Sour cream. Cool, creamy sour cream tempers the spice.
  • Onions. Both chopped green onions and chopped red onions work well.
  • Avocado. I love adding diced avocado on top of chili.
  • Jalapeños. For extra spice. Slice or dice them before serving.
  • Tortilla chips. Crumble them up and sprinkle on chili for crunch.
  • Cilantro. If you’re a cilantro fan, add chopped fresh cilantro for a pop of color and flavor.

What to Serve with Chili

This Cornbread Recipe is my favorite side dish to serve with chili. You could also serve Biscuits, Corn Casserole or a salad with this chili recipe.

Leftover chili makes a delicious topping for a Baked Potato or Baked Sweet Potato. Or mix leftover chili with pasta and cheese to make an easy chili mac.

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To Freeze

Chili freezes really well! I like to freeze it in individual portion sizes to thaw and reheat for quick lunches or dinners. You can store chili in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat in a covered pot on the stove or in the microwave.

More Tasty Chili Recipes

  • Crockpot Chili
  • Instant Pot Chili
  • Turkey Chili Recipe
  • White Chicken Chili
  • Vegetarian Chili

The Best Chili Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

5 from 2 ratings

The Best Chili Recipe

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

The Best Ever Chili Recipe, made with ground beef, beans and the perfect mix of chili spices. This homemade chili is thick, hearty and richly flavored. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons chili powder*, use 1 tablespoon for mild chili, 2 tablespoons for spicier chili
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 ¾ cups low sodium beef broth, or one 14.5 ounce can
  • 28 ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes, or fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 15 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounce can pinto beans, or black beans, rinsed and drained
  • For topping: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, chopped red or green onions, cilantro, etc., as desired

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes, until onion starts to soften.

  • Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

  • Add the chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Stir to combine.

  • Add the broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.

  • Stir in the crushed or diced tomatoes and beans.

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook at a low simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover the chili during the first part of the cook time and then uncover during the last 30 minutes as needed to thicken the chili.

  • Serve chili with toppings, as desired.

Notes

  • Chili powder: Some chili powders are more spicy than others. Adjust the amount accordingly.
  • To make chili without beans: Omit the beans and use 2 pounds of ground beef.
  • To freeze: Freeze chili in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat in a covered pot on the stove or in the microwave. I like to freeze chili in individual portion sizes to thaw and reheat for quick lunches or dinners.
  • To store: Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 47mg, Sodium: 1007mg, Potassium: 1337mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 821IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 138mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Dairy Free Dinner Recipes Freezer Friendly Gluten Free One Pot Recipe Videos

posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Sep 28, 2023 (last updated Dec 4, 2023)

9 comments Leave a comment »

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Leave a Reply

9 comments on “The Best Chili Recipe”

  1. Jeff Reply

    In Texas, definitely no beans. More beef. 🥩

  2. Lynda Reply

    Made this yesterday and everyone loved it!
    I will be trying more of your recipes…Thanks
    Lynda

  3. Alli C Reply

    I won my chili cook off at work with this recipe! Very good!

  4. ASheas Reply

    Love this recipe! How much is one serving would you say?

    • The Best Chili Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (12)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      I’m happy to hear you love it! One serving would be 1/6 of the total recipe. You would have to measure how much is in the pot and then divide by 6.

  5. Kylie Reply

    I really want to make this in a slow cooker. Do u think it is doable? 😅 how would you do the steps? Thank u so much!

    • The Best Chili Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (13)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Kylie,
      I have a slow cooker chili recipe that you can use as a guide for the steps. Enjoy!

  6. Carmen Reply

    Tonight will be the 3rd time I’ve made this chili, my son has been requesting it ever since I made it! I do triple the recipe because we like left overs. I sub about 1/3 of the crushed tomatoes with Rotel and 1/3 of the meat with Italian sausage. Besides that I follow the recipe and it’s DELICIOUS. My daughter puts the left overs on fries, thank you so much for this recipe!

  7. David Reply

    Great chili, use low or no salt added ingredients for healthier meal

Leave a comment »

The Best Chili Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.

How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

Does Ina Garten have a chili recipe? ›

It's no surprise that Ina's chili recipe is a cinch to make. You start by cooking a ton of onions in a pot until translucent, then adding garlic, bell peppers, and several spices — including chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Next, Ina has you crush canned plum tomatoes with your hands.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What makes chili taste better? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Why is cinnamon good in chili? ›

Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.

How do you make chili taste richer? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

What is the best ingredient to thicken chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

What's the difference between skyline chili and regular chili? ›

This dish has a Mediterranean influence in flavor so it is really unique! It has the traditional chili powder and cumin but also cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Skyline Chili has perfected their recipe so well that it is even sold in grocery stores.

How to make chili taste homemade? ›

Make your own spice blend

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

What brings out the flavor in chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

How do you make chili taste stronger? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

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