This Quick Chili Recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and so delicious anytime of year. Like many classic chili recipes, it's made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes and chili seasoning. This easy chili is one of my favorites because it's not just delicious, it also makes the best leftovers. This is the best classic chili recipe because it can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker and could not be any easier to make.
About this Chili Recipe
I have been making this quick and easy chili recipe for so many years and it has never failed me once. This chili recipe is great for those make ahead meals on busy nights and it is great kept warm for those who pop in for a quick meal before heading out for the evening.
Making this chili has been a tradition in our house on Halloween night because I can make it ahead of time and feed everyone before heading out for the night. Everyone is older now but we still keep making it!
This easy classic chili recipe is more of an American style chili with beans, tomatoes and ground beef. The recipe includes steps to make your own homemade chili seasoning mix as well. It is delicious!
I do have another easy chili recipe, my authentic Texas chili which is made with cubed beef chuck and does not have beans or tomatoes. It is a longer cooking chili for when you have more time.
Because classic chili is one of those dishes that actually tastes better the next day, it makes the most amazing leftovers and is perfect for a make ahead meal. This easy chili recipe was designed to make a lot for that reason.
Add it to some sheet pan nachos for an easy dinner on another night and no one will complain about eating the same meal two days in a row.
Ingredients needed
Most of the ingredients for this classic chili are things that you probably already have on hand in your pantry.
- Ground beef: Makes your easy chili hearty and filling, but can be substituted for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Crushed and diced tomatoes: Two kinds of tomatoes ensure a good consistency and add some slightly sweet and acidic flavor to offset the savory ingredients.
- White and black beans: Provide lots of protein and make this easy chili super comforting!
- Onion: Gives your classic chili a delicious and aromatic layer of additional flavor.
- Garlic: Pairs well with the onions and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Olive oil
- Chili Seasoning: You can use store bought, but see the easy instructions below for making your own!
Homemade Chili Seasoning
I prefer to make my own seasoning for this chili recipe. One reason is I always have the spices in my pantry and I don't always have a store bought chili seasoning mix. The other reason I prefer making my own is it is healthier and I can control the flavors.
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 2 tbsp Chili Powder
- 2 tbsp Sweet Paprika
- 1 tbsp salt and pepper and more to taste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
How to Make this Easy Chili Recipe
- Cook ground beef until browned.
- Add your diced onions and garlic to the pan and cook until translucent.
- Add the tomatoes and beans.
- Add chili spices and mix well.
- Adjust any seasonings to taste.
- Serve with your favorite toppings!
How Much Does this Chili Recipe Make?
This easy chili recipe is for 4 people (for 2 nights worth of meals or 8 total servings) and can easily be doubled or cut in half! I like making this recipe so that I do have leftovers.
I highly recommend that you do that too! This is the best classic chili recipe because it freezes well if you do not want to eat it all at once.
About the Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix
When making chili, I always like to make my own seasoning blend and not use the store bought ones.
If you have never made your own easy chili seasoning mix, it is really easy and it really does taste better. If you have to go out and buy seasoning for this recipe and do not know what to do with all that leftover paprika and seasoning, you can try out my fajitas from leftovers or my fajita tacos.
Both of these will help you use up those spices.
No matter how you adjust the seasoning, it will taste amazing. The ingredients are simple and the dish is a real time saver for busy evenings.
What Goes Well with Classic Chili?
There are so many dishes that go well with chili or you can eat it all on its own. Here are some of my favorite things to serve with easy chili.
- My air fryer hot dogs. Hot dogs and chili are a match made in heaven.
- Tortilla chips for dipping into the chili.
- Cornbread. I love making a batch of corn bread on the leftover chili night to change it up a bit.
- A full assortment of toppings as the side. I like to slice up avocados, shred some cheese and dice up sweet and hot peppers serve with chili.
- Homemade flat bread. Dipping this in the chili is amazing!
- Homemade hamburgers if you want a full American experience.
- Make a side of easy Spanish rice to go with it and let people top the rice with some homemade chili.
Can I Make this Easy Classic Chili in the Slow Cooker?
This quick chili recipe is best for making chili on the stovetop but I often make this in the slow cooker too. All the ingredients and steps are the same.
If you want to use the slow cooker, just set it to low and cook your chili from 4-6 hours before turning it to the warm setting.
Using the slow cooker is a real time saver so if you are pressed for time, this is the way to go! I do this for many recipes that I normally make on the stove or in the oven like my brisket and slow cooker beef bourguignon. It is so helpful.
If your slow cooker chili appears too thin after cooking, you can add in some Beurre Manie or masa flour to thicken it a bit.
FAQs
Simmering for longer does allow the flavors to come together more cohesively. That said, this quick chili recipe is perfect for meal prep and the flavors will develop as it sits in the fridge as well!
Simmering without the lid on the pot will allow excess liquid to cook off faster, which is a crucial part of this quick chili recipe. If you have more time and want your easy chili to cook for longer, leave the lid on and check on it every so often.
Ways to Use Leftover Chili
You can freeze the leftover chili and have it on hand whenever you need a quick meal. Just thaw the chili in the refrigerator over night. If you are in a rush, just add the frozen chili to a large pot and warm gently until it has thawed.
If your crew gets bored with chili after a couple days (although I've never met anybody who gets tired of the BEST classic chili recipe), you can add it to loaded nachos for chili nachos which can really change things up for everyone. It makes a really easy dinner!
You can add the leftover chili to rice and bean burritos or add it to a salad for a taco style salad. All are great options that I have tried and loved!
More Like This
If you love this classic chili recipe, you may also like these:
Easy and Quick Chili Recipe
Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of ground beef
- 1 28 ounce can or box of crushed tomatoes
- 1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of white beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can of black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves of Garlic finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Chili Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Cumin
- 2 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 2 tablespoon Sweet Paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt and pepper and more to taste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium to large pot on medium heat with 1 tbs of olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned2 lbs of ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- After the meat is browned, remove the meat from the pan on to a plate and set aside.
- Drain out most of the grease from the pot leaving about 1-2 tablespoons and return pot to the heat.
- Add your diced onions and garlic to the pan and saute until translucent (about 5 minutes)1 large onion diced, 2 cloves of Garlic finely diced
- After the onions and garlic are translucent, add the meat back in to the pot with the onions and garlic.
- Now add the tomatoes and beans. Mix well.1 28 ounce can or box of crushed tomatoes, 1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of white beans, 1 can of black beans
- Next add the spices and mix well. I like to pre-mix my spices ahead of time.2 tablespoon Cumin, 2 tablespoon Chili Powder, 2 tablespoon Sweet Paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper and more to taste, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Now stir in the corn and let simmer for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
- Adjust any seasonings to taste (you can add more cumin, salt or whatever spice you like to go heavy on in your chili)!
- Serve with Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese and Tortilla Chips (or whatever toppings you like) and Enjoy!!
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in a container in the refrigerator and warmed on the stove over Medium low Heat for about 20 minutes or until hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer here
Tina says
The whole family loved this chili. It did make a lot but we enjoyed the leftovers
Dora says
This was a delicious chili recipe. Very easy
Daniel says
Yum! This is going to be our new go to chili recipe. I loved the addition of the extra meat which gives it so much flavor.