The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

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4.48 from 17 votes

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45 minutes minutes

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By: Joanna Cismaru

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This Chili Recipe is a hearty spin on a comforting home cooked classic. You’ll be curled up on the couch with a bowl of the stuff in no time!

Table of Contents

This chili is cooked on the stovetop and it’s perfect served with some delicious crusty bread and topped with a bit of sour cream, cheddar cheese and green onions.

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The Best Chili Recipe

Chili, such a rich comforting dish that is a certifiable classic in many a home. Not only is it full of rich hearty beef, but it’s stuffed to the gills with spices full of depth and tender veggies.

I’ve included a diced jalapeno for some heat and I highly recommend you do too. But that’s not the only thing that makes this recipe the best chili ever, so let’s get into what exactly sets this dish apart.

What Makes This Chili The Best?

I really believe that the thing that sets this chili apart from other out there is the combinations of spices. We aren’t just stopping at chili powder today, we’re adding cumin, oregano, cayenne, and paprika.

You’ll get so much flavor our of this dish and in a pretty short amount of time too! You’ll love how easy this recipe is and how long you’ll be able to enjoy it for!

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Ingredients In The Best Chili

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Veggies –Today we’re using onion, jalapeno, crushed canned tomatoes, and tomato paste.
  • Garlic –I’m using lots of garlic for this chili recipe, fresh is best but if canned is all you have just keep in mind that 1 1/2 teaspoons equals one fresh clove.
  • Beef –Ground beef, lean or regular will work just fine.
  • Spices –Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and cayenne are our flavor weapons today.
  • Beans –We’re just using drained and rinsed red kidney beans from the can today.
  • Seasoning –We’re just using salt today, no need for pepper.
  • Olive oil –We need something with a neutral flavor to brown and cooked down our onion and beef.

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How To Make The Best Chili Recipe

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Saute your sauteables:Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and transparent, around 5 minutes. Add the ground beef to this and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes till it’s no longer pink.
  • Combine the chili: Add the garlic, jalapeno, and tomato paste and stir for 30 seconds till the garlic is aromatic. Add all of the spices and salt before pouring in the kidney beans and crushed tomatoes. Bring this mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Serve the best chili: Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, and sour cream!

Tips For Making This Chili Recipe

  • Bulk up your beans! Pinto and black beans are also delicious in this recipe.
  • Store bought chili powder works fine, but mixing up your own chili blend tastes even better! Just combine sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic & onion powder, cumin, and oregano.
  • Looking to add more veggies? A combination of bell pepper, mushrooms, corn, zucchini, or celery works wonders in this dish.
  • I recommend simmering this chili for 20 minutes because I wanted to share a quick recipe for a delicious dish today, but if you’d like those flavors to develop even better feel free to let it simmer for up to an hour!
  • Want to go crazy and make a chili that will knock some sock off? This recipe is more of a commitment but check out the World’s Best Chili on my sister blog, Jo Cooks.

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How To Serve This Chili

This chili is delicious on it’s own, but it can also be used in so many different ways!

  • Spoon this dish over top of a baked potato for a hearty winter meal.
  • Have you ever had chili with some creamy polenta? It’s to die for!
  • You can mix it up with some Mac And Cheese for a sinfully delicious dinner.
  • Mix it with some rice and stuff some bell peppers before popping in the oven until the peppers are soft and the chili is completely warmed.
  • Serve it with some sliced avocado and crispy tortilla strips. This dish is so versatile so feel free to have some fun!

Storing Leftover Chili

This dish stores well in either the fridge or freezer! Just pack it in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to3 months.

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Try These Other Comforting Recipes:

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Recipe

4.48 from 17 votes

The Best Chili Recipe

This Chili Recipe is a hearty spin on a comforting home cooked classic. You'll be curled up on the couch with a bowl of the stuff in no time! This chili is cooked on the stovetop and it's perfect served with a bit of sour cream, cheddar cheese and green onions.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 35 minutes mins

Total : 45 minutes mins

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Rate

serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pound ground beef
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 15 ounce kidney beans red, drained and rinsed (1 can)
  • 28 ounce crushed tomatoes 1 can

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

  • Add the onion and cook until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes.

  • Add the garlic, jalapeno, tomato paste, stir and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.

  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cayenne and salt. Pour in the kidney beans and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as necessary.

  • Ladle into bowls and top with cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions.

Tips & Notes:

This dish stores well in either the fridge or freezer! Just pack it in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to3 months.

nutrition facts

Calories: 421kcal (21%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 26g (52%) Fat: 25g (38%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 404mg (18%) Potassium: 908mg (26%) Fiber: 7g (29%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 1045IU (21%) Vitamin C: 13.8mg (17%) Calcium: 86mg (9%) Iron: 5.8mg (32%)

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Course:Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine:American

before you go! Did you try this recipe?Leave us a recipe rating below + tag @cravinghomecooked on instagram and hashtag it #cravinghomecooked!

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About Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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  1. The Best Chili Recipe (9)Teresa says

    The Best Chili Recipe (10)
    Good chili. Next time I’ll add celery and orange or yellow bell pepper. Planning to serve it with cornbread.

    Reply

The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

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.

Does Gordon Ramsay put beans in chili? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe for chili con carne includes onion, a red chili pepper, fresh tomatoes, and kidney beans. Ramsay's chili recipe is lengthy — it includes everything from ground cumin and sweet paprika to a cinnamon stick, ground beef or beef mince, and garlic.

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 adds the most flavor to chili? ›

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.

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.

What is my chili missing? ›

Sometimes after a long simmer, your chili will taste wonderful be maybe missing one little thing you can't figure out. Try a tad bit of vinegar or a squeeze of lime! The acidity in vinegar & limes bring a good roundness to the pot and binds all the flavors together.

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 does paprika do for chili? ›

Think of paprika as the gentler, sweeter cousin of hot chili peppers. It enlivens your favorite dishes with fruity notes and a toasty red color without ever taking over the show.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste may come in a small can (or tube), but it packs a powerful punch and is an essential flavor building block for dishes like chili and beef stew.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

Making homemade chili is quite simple. You'll first need to cook the onions and garlic. Then you'll add your beef and cook it through. You'll finally add the peppers and seasonings, stirring it together to get that beautiful flavor together.

Should I use chili beans or kidney beans for chili? ›

Kidney Beans

They are the most popular bean for chili and, in some circles, are often called 'chili beans.

Why does authentic chili not have beans in it? ›

No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

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.

Should you simmer chili with the lid on or off? ›

Chili can be cooked uncovered or covered, but both are preferable. Chili cooked uncovered will thicken and reduce in liquid, making it a more hearty dish. When covering your chili, you will keep the heat in and prevent it from boiling over.

What is the best way to judge a chili cook off? ›

Chili should not be dry, watery, grainy, lumpy, or greasy, but just good and smooth. off to a good taste. Chili should have a pleasant taste after swallowing. After taste should not be bitter or metallic.

Why would 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.

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