The Best Chili Recipe with plenty of hearty ground beef, kidney beans, sweet onion, garlic, green chiles, smoked chipotle pepper, and a perfect blend of spices. It is the ultimate balance of spicy and thick with a touch of brown sugar sweetness for depth of flavor. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and serve with cornbread.
This is a family favorite classic chili recipe and I love to add it to chili dogs, chili cheese fries, chili cheese dip and more. Chili is the perfect food for game day, movie night and cold winter blustery days.
How to make Chili
There is nothing really complicated about chili at all. If using dry beans simply soak them at room temperature overnight or do the quick soak method and bring the beans to a boil for several minutes in a large pot of water then remove from the heat and let them soak in the pot for several hours. You can also use canned beans. Just drain and rinse them to remove the salt and aquafaba from the beans.
Then start by browning your beef, pork, sausage or other ground meat over medium-high heat breaking it up with a wooden spoon. About halfway through the browning process add your onion and any bell peppers if you are including them. Cook until the onion is soft and the meat is browned. Drain any residual grease and reduce the heat to low. Then add your garlic and any other spices and dried herbs. Cook for about 1 minute stirring several times. Next add the brown sugar, broth, tomato paste, tomatoes, beans, and canned peppers (like chiles and chipotles) and simmer for about one hour stirring frequently. If desired serve with all your favorite chili toppings like shredded cheddar, shredded Monterey Jack, sour cream, chopped scallions, jalapeno rings, and fritos.
Recipe notes and tips for the Best Chili Recipe
- Use ground beef that is about 80% lean as it has more flavor and it is juicier than lean ground beef.
- Some grocery stores and butcher shops have a chili grind. I have only been able to find it with beef. It is a coarse grind and it produces a chunky moist texture in your chili. If you get a chance try it.
- You can substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken for the the ground beef.
- Protip – after browning the ground beef lean the pot slightly to one side and use a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
- Rinse your canned beans to remove the excess salt.
- Adjust the amount of heat to suit your taste. Some people have a very low tolerance while others like to feel the sweat dripping off their forehead. With most of my recipes unless specified I try to find the middle of the road. If you like it hotter add a little cayenne pepper, minced jalapeno, hot sauce, or chili paste.
- If you desire really thick chili simply simmer it uncovered on the stove top instead of using any thickeners like flour, cornmeal, or cornstarch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in heavy duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Lay the freezer bags flat on a baking sheet and freeze. Then store in the freezer stacked.
- To reheat defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then add the contents to a saucepan and heat on low on the stovetop. Or place in a microwaveable bowl and heat in the microwave at 50% power for 1 minute increments until hot.
How to set up the perfect Chili Bar
The ideal bar is set up with a little something to suit everyone’s taste and preference on how they like their chili.
- Hot Sauce – have a variety of jarred hot sauces including but not limited to Tobasco, Franks Red Hot Sauce, Sriracha and Cholula Hot Sauce.
- Cheese – have a selection of shredded cheeses including but not limited to cheddar, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Queso Quesadilla.
- Toppings – have a plethora of goodies like sour cream, chopped green onions, Pickled Jalapenos, chopped cilantro, fritos, chopped red onions, lime wedges, and of course some banana peppers and pepperoncinis.
Oh and don’t forget the grilled hot dogs, cold beer, Rotel Cheese Dip and air fryer French Fries. Air Fryers are great for cooking frozen french fries. They turn out perfect every time and they can be reheated in a couple of minutes to their original crispy state.
WHAT ARE CHIPOTLE PEPPERS AND WHERE DO YOU FIND THEM?
Chipotle peppers are jalapeno peppers that have been aged, dried and smoked. They are earthy, robust and smokey yet still incredibly spicy. You can find them canned with adobo sauce in the Hispanic food section of most local grocery stores. Adobo sauce is a slightly sweet tangy rich reddish brown sauce made with ground ancho and guajillo chiles.
The combination of the two is an amazing taste sensation. One chopped chipotle pepper with a little bit of the adobo sauce can take your chili, Tex-Mex, and southwestern recipes over the top. Store the remaining chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Or flash freeze and store in a ziploc freezer bag for up to 6 months.
More chili and soup recipes you will love!
Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans or pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 1 7 ounce can diced green chiles drained
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can of chipotle peppers
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a dutch oven or large stock pot brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. About halfway through the browning process add the onion. Drain any excess grease. Reduce heat to low and add garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute; stirring constantly.
- Stir in the brown sugar, beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, green chiles, chopped chipotle pepper and adobo sauce.
- Simmer for 45-60 minutes; stirring frequently. Salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use ground beef that is about 80% lean as it is more flavorful and juicier than leaner grinds.
- Some grocery stores and butcher shops have a chili grind. I have only been able to find it with beef. It is a coarse grind and it produces a chunky moist texture in your chili. If you get a chance try it.
- Protip - after browning the ground beef lean the pot slightly to one side and use a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
- Rinse your canned beans to remove the excess salt.
- Adjust the amount of heat to suit your taste. Some people have a very low tolerance while others like to feel the sweat dripping off their forehead. With most of my recipes unless specified I try to find the middle of the road.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in heavy duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Lay the freezer bags flat on a baking sheet and freeze. Then store in the freezer stacked.
- To reheat defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then add the contents to a saucepan and heat on low on the stovetop. Or place in a microwaveable bowl and heat in the microwave at 50% power for 1 minute increments until hot.
Nutrition
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Eileen
We make chili often. It is my husband and my youngest son’s favorite. I think your recipe is better than mine. I am going to make it again this week and will use your recipe!
Elizabeth O
I loved this! Anything with plenty of ground beef and onion is always a must make for me.
briannemanz
Chili is the perfect food for cold days, movie nights and even family gatherings. I love trying your recipes!
Fransic verso
This looks so yummy, love the topping and would love to try it. Thank you for sharing!
Manali
I love trying your recipes, they are comparatively easier to understand,. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
It’s the right time of year for chili. This sounds wonderful to eat as a comfort food after the school run.
Cathy
I love trying new chili recipes! This one did not disappoint!
Amanda Livesay
The whole family loved this chili! It’s so delicious on a cold day.
katerina
I love how hearty and delicious this is! Perfect for fall!
Krystle
Heart, filling, and all around delicious. This is going to be on my table for game day this year. We just love it!
Allyson Zea
Super hearty and perfect for fall! Loved it!
Amanda
I have made a lot of chili in my day and this has to be the best I have ever tasted!
Anna
Fantastic recipe! I am always up for a bowl of delicious chili!
Trang
My favorite part of the recipe were the kick from the smoked peppers. Loved how hearty and comforting this chili was!
Toni
I love how comforting this chili is! Packed full of flavors!
Andrea Thueson
This recipe was freaking amazing! It will be in our constant rotation
katerina
This Chili is incredibly delicious! My family LOVED it!!
Jessica Rugerio
I made this last night and it is so delicious! Perfect with cornbread!
Natasha
I have made this chili recipe twice and it so good! My family loves it and it has become one of our favorites. Thank you for another fantastic recipe!
Kristyn
I love your idea of adding this over steak fries! It’s amazing on it’s own, so I am excited to try it other ways!
Natalie
What delicious flavors going on!! I’m eating chili year round & this one is my go-to! It’s so hearty & filling!
Andrea Thueson
This chili was amazing, terrific flavor profile, and tasted even better the next day!
Natalie
I could eat chili all year long! This is loaded with flavor & so hearty! We love loading it with all the toppings!
Sue
I love the balance of spicy and sweet in this chili – delish!
Jess
We make this for Halloween with hot dogs every year. So good!
Beth
I consider myself somewhat a chili connoisseur. This chili is right up there with the best. I love the chipotle in it! Thanks!
Kylie
Awesome chilli recipe, I’ve got it cooking in the slow cooker right now as I’m too lazy to go back and stir it on the stove. The house smells so good!
Irina
I have been obsessed with chili recipe since I tried chili in Cincinnati, OH. Then I was looking for homemade chili, and I finally got your recipe. I made it, and it turned out perfect!
Biana
This chili looks so delicious and comforting! Perfect for a family dinner.
Anjali
This really is one of the best chili recipes I’ve ever made! The flavors are perfectly balanced and it’s so hearty and satisfying!
Patty
Oh this does sound like an amazing chili recipe. I love the adobo sauce in there! Can’t wait to try this one!!
Diana Reis
This is so hearty and full of flavor. I served it with some corn bread and the whole family loved it.
Liz
I’m going to try this with some plant based “beef” and I don’t think my dad will be able to tell the difference!! Thanks for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Gotcha. Sounds like a plan!
Tania
Thank you so much for this awesome recipe.
One of my favorites when i get take out! So glad i can make it at home now.
Adrianne
Ohhhh I wish I had a spoon so I could dive right in! Your chilli looks and sounds amazing! The dollop on top and jalapenos is my kind of food. Can’t wait to try it.
Dannii
You can’t beat a good chili – so hearty and comforting.
Kate
So many gorgeous, authentic flavours in this – can’t wait to try it. Can’t beat a really excellent chilli.
Amanda
This looks simple to make and full of taste too. My family will love this version.
Jacqueline
I love this chili recipe. I added soaked and cooked dried black beans as well as I love a lot of beans in my chili. So good. Will be making it again!
Jo
This chili recipe is fantastic! Such a great mix of textures and flavors, everyone in the family loved it!
veena
This dish looks awesome. I just have to check this out. A flavorful and delicious combination of ingredients too.
Gabby
This is such a deliciously hearty meal and was enjoyed by all! I’ll definitely be making it again.
Cathy
This chili has the best flavor!
Catalina
This is the perfect season for a hearty and delicious chili. This one looks amazing!
Beti
I would love a bowl of this amazing chili right now! SO GOOD!
katerina
This chili is incredibly delicious!! I can’t wait to try it!
Amanda Livesay
Love the addition of the chipotle in adobo! So yummy!
Erin
What a great chili recipe!
Amanda
I have had lots of chili and this is by far my favorite!