Easy Chili Recipe

Easy Chili Ingredients

• Ground beef (1 pound): Brings hearty, meaty bite that stands up to bold spices. You can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
• Sugar (1½ tablespoons): Softens acidity from tomatoes and balances the spice blend.
• Ground cumin (2 tablespoons): A earthy warmth that defines classic chili flavor.
• Garlic powder (1 tablespoon): Infuses savory depth without extra chopping.
• Chili powder (1 tablespoon): Provides color, heat, and that signature chili aroma.
• Garlic salt (1 teaspoon): Seasons quickly and boosts overall savoriness.
• Paprika (½ teaspoon): Rounds out the spice mix and adds gentle smokiness.
• Black pepper (to taste): Sharpens the finish with a hint of heat.
• Tomato sauce (2 cans, 8 ounces each): Gives a smooth, rich base that thickens as it simmers.
• Red kidney beans, drained (15.5-ounce can): Adds creamy texture and extra protein. You can also or use black beans, pinto beans, or navy beans.
• Diced tomatoes (14.5-ounce can): Adds juicy chunks of tomato that keep each spoonful interesting.
• Beef broth (1½ cups): Loosens the pot to a perfect scoopable consistency.
• Sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions (optional toppings): Adds cool creaminess, salty melt, and a fresh bite.

How to Make Homemade Chili

BEEF. In a large pot, cook ground beef over medium heat, stirring to break up meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain fat.

SEASONINGS + BEANS. Add spices, tomato sauce, kidney beans, tomatoes, and ground meat broth.

SIMMER. Bring to a simmer on medium-high heat and cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes.

GARNISH + SERVE. Season this easy chili recipe with more garlic salt and pepper, if desired, and add any desired toppings before serving into bowls.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

• Fat. Drain excess grease after browning so the chili isn’t oily.
• Make it thicker by mashing some of the beans, and give it a good stir or see How to Thicken Soup for more tips.
• Too spicy. Neutralize the heat by adding sour cream or milk, honey or brown sugar, tomato paste, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
• Add spice directly to the dish or on the side with chili powder, cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or diced jalapeños. Taste at the end and adjust garlic salt, chili powder, or cumin as needed.
• Vegetarian-friendly. Substitute the meat with your favorite plant-based meat or extra veggies. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Top with lime wedges, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado chunks, sour cream, and serve with Tortilla Chips and Cornbread (my favorite!)
• Make-ahead tip: chili tastes even better the next day, so it’s great for meal prep.

5 from 83 votes

Easy Chili Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

You're going to fall hard for this spicy, hearty homemade beef chili. This best chili recipe is not only simple, but delicious!!

Servings: 6

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Video

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound ground beef
• ▢ 1½ tablespoons sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon paprika
• ▢ pepper to taste
• ▢ 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 (15.5-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
• ▢ 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• ▢ 1½ cups beef broth

Toppings (Optional)

• ▢ sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions (optional)

Instructions 

• In a large pot, cook ground beef over medium heat, stirring to break up meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain fat.
• Add sugar, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, garlic salt, paprika and pepper and stir to mix.
• Add tomato sauce, kidney beans, tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes.
• Season with more garlic salt and pepper, if desired, and add any desired toppings before serving.

Save This Recipe!

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Email *

Save

Notes

Recipe Tips.

• Make it thicker by mashing some of the beans, and give it a good stir or see How to Thicken Soup for more tips.
• Spiciness. Neutralize the heat by adding sour cream, milk, or brown sugar. To increase the heat, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or diced jalapeños.
• Vegetarian-friendly. Substitute the meat with your favorite plant-based meat or extra veggies. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Crockpot. Cook the meat and drain the fat as described in Step 1 above, then combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 3–4 hours.
• Top with lime wedges, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado chunks, sour cream, and serve with Tortilla Chips and Cornbread (my favorite!)

Store in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until hot.

Freeze. Cool and divide in a freezer safe airtight container leaving about ½ headspace. Store for 4-6 months.

• Thaw in the refrigerator (allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds) and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 689mg, Potassium: 320mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 504IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Complete the Meal

Sides to Serve

Sour Cream Cornbread

35 mins

Perfect Baked Potato

1 hr 15 mins

Yeast Dinner Rolls

2 hrs 12 mins

Baked Tortilla Chips

17 mins

Chili Recipes

Turkey Chili

30 mins

Fajita Chili

35 mins

Wendy’s Chili Recipe

1 hr 15 mins

Slow Cooker Chili

2 hrs 10 mins

Collections

Chili Recipes

15+ EasyWinter Soups

Easy Soup Recipes

Fall Dinner Ideas

This recipe was originally published September 2018.