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I’m telling you right now, this is the BEST chili you will ever have. The reviews don’t lie! It’s hearty, flavorful, and oh-so-comforting. It’s packed with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. Get creative with your toppings and dig in!
A Reader’s Review
This is the best chili I’ve ever had! What makes it better is how easy it is to make! My kids love it also!
Why You NEED This Chili in Your Life
- Bean + Beef Magic: Every bite is loaded with hearty beans, savory beef, and bold spices that make you go back for “just one more spoonful.”
- One-Pot Bliss: All the flavor, with barely any dishes. Your sink and your future self will thank you.
- Any Season, Any Reason: Warm and cozy for cold nights, but just as perfect ladled over hot dogs at a summer cookout.
Ingredients Needed
- Garlic Cloves: I prefer fresh cloves, but you can use the jarred minced garlic instead! 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic is equal to one clove.
- Meat: I like to use lean ground beef, but feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
- Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, celery, mushrooms, or zucchini are all great add-ins for sautéing at the beginning.
- Spices: Try using taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex taste.
- Beef Broth: Don’t have beef broth? Chicken, vegetable, bone broth, or even water will help keep it thick and simmer well.
- Sugar: Just a teaspoon adds a touch of sweetness that balances the cocoa’s rich, savory chocolate flavor.
How to Make the Best Chili
This chili recipe comes together in no time and is the ultimate comfort food. I love making a big pot and my homemade cornbread, or Jalapeno Cornbread if you like a little spice! Let’s get cooking!
- Cook the Beef: In a large pot, add ground beef over medium-high heat, then cook and crumble until brown. Drain excess fat from the beef.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté until almost tender.
- Add in Remaining Ingredients: Add in the beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, kidney beans, chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, salt, and cayenne.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until it starts to thicken and flavors combine (about 30 minutes).
Top it off!
The right toppings can take your chili from great to unforgettable. Mix and match your favorites for the perfect bite every time.
- Sour Cream: A cool, creamy dollop to balance the heat.
- Onions: Fresh, crisp, and full of bite.
- Shredded Cheese: Melts into the chili for extra richness.
- Jalapeños: Bring on the spice!
- Cilantro: Fresh flavor and a pop of color.
- Avocado: Soft, creamy, and so fresh.
- Tortilla Strips: Adds a little crunch! Try my homemade tortilla strips!
- Frito Chips: Salty, crunchy, and irresistible.
- Lime Wedges: A bright squeeze to wake up the flavors.
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Best Ever Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans drained
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- In a large pot, over medium-high heat, add 2 pounds lean ground beef and cook and crumble until brown. Drain the excess fat from the beef.
- Add in 1 small onion diced, 1 green bell pepper diced and 2 garlic cloves minced and sauté until almost tender.
- Add in 2 cups beef broth, 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, 3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon cayenne.
- Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until it starts to thicken and the flavors combine, about 30 minutes.
Video
Notes
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store cooled chili in an airtight container or ziplock for 5–7 days.
- Can you freeze chili? Yes! Cool completely, store flat in a labeled ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Thaw overnight, then warm in a saucepan or microwave until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Popular Chili Recipes
If you loved this chili, then you MUST try out some more of my tried and true favorite chili recipes. There are so many delicious flavors!
I made some changes due to having to use up some things that I had in the fridge; jalapeno peppers, tomatillos, fresh squeezed lime juice mushrooms and cilantro. It was a bit spicy but not overbearing at all. Is definitely a keeper in my opinion! Thank you!
This recipe was easy and tasty. Omitted green peppers since we are not fans. Added a little more salt and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. I drained off fat once meat, onions and garlic cooked. Will make this again!1
Decided to try this for Halloween for my husband and I. I always make chili on Halloween, first time trying this one. Excited to try. Thanks Alyssa
Drain the beans?
Kathy, I recently made this recipe. The chili had more liquid than I prefer, I would suggest draining the beans.
I always rinse and drain my beans to get the preservatives off of them ( as much as possible anyways). If you find your chili a little runny, tomato paste helps with that…
I made it too for Halloween! I took it to a friend’s house and her and her husband loved it!
Made this using one pound ground beef and one pound sliced pork. Delicious! Was a big hit with the family!
Made this tonight. Great chili. Followed it exactly except I used dried pinto beans that I cooked. I saved this and it will be my go to Chili recipe. It was very, very good. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for the recipe without making it mandatory to subscribe before receiving it.
You’re welcome!! Thanks so much for following along!
would the flavor be even better if i added a chili seasoning packet along with the other seasoning?
I’ve never tried that! Let me know how it turns out!
Making this again to take camping with us, reheating it with my Coleman camping crockpot
That’s a great idea!
My go to chili recipe. Just made the first batch for 2022. Yummy!
It was a bit bland for chili. It was a very meaty chili. It was a bit too much for using with chili dogs.
Very good chilli! Tonight was the first time I’ve ever made chilli and found this recipe my son loved it.
So so chili. Easy recipe to follow. Flavor was ok.
Reply for Alyssa .. Yes, you rinse the beans
I think the carb could be incorrect coud you confirm
Those are just estimates and can change based on brands and serving sizes!
thank you, I always love chili recipes, every kind, the traditional too, much appreciated!
Really good. I used ground turkey and jalapeño sausage.