Everyone needs a go-to homemade chili recipe, and this one really is the BEST! This recipe is the ultimate comfort food and comes together quickly! It’s been a family favorite recipe for years and turns out perfect every time.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our homemade chili recipe, you need the following ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chiles
- Tomato Sauce
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Paprika
- Kidney Beans
- Black Beans
- Water
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese, for topping
- Avocado, for topping
- Sour Cream, for topping
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make the Best Homemade Chili
- You will need a large pot to make this homemade chili. I recommend using at least a 5 quart stock pot, like this one.
- Cook ground beef, onion, jalapeño and green pepper in a large pot over medium-high heat until beef is cooked. Drain excess grease.
- If you are worried about the jalapeño, you can leave it out. However, by cutting the seeds out of the jalapeño you will lose a lot of the heat.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. You don’t need to drain these, you’ll want the liquid from the can of tomatoes.
- Add the spices. I use cumin, chili powder, slat, cayenne pepper and paprika. Mix everything until well combined and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, add black beans and kidney beans then cover and let simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve hot and top with shredded cheddar cheese, additional jalapeño (if desired) and sour cream.
Storing and Other Tips
This recipe freezes and reheats wonderfully, so you can enjoy it later without any loss of flavor or texture. You can freeze it in individual portion sizes for convenient lunches, or in freezer bags for a quick and easy weeknight meal. To defrost, simply transfer it from the freezer to the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to enjoy it, heat it up in a saucepan or microwave, and your delicious chili will be ready to serve!
Other toppings that work with this chili recipe include the following: sliced avocado, corn chips, tortilla chips, sliced olives, corn bread crumbles, chopped tomatoes, salsa, and green onions.
Frequently Asked Chili Questions
To naturally thicken chili without relying on cornstarch or flour, simmering it uncovered is the best method. By allowing the chili to cook slowly without a lid, the liquid will gradually evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency. This process intensifies the flavors as well. However, if time is a constraint, there are a couple of alternatives you can consider. Adding a small amount of cornmeal to the chili or creating a slurry using cornstarch or flour and incorporating it into the simmering pot can also help thicken the chili. These options are especially useful when you need to expedite the thickening process. However, if you can spare a few extra minutes, it is recommended to let the chili simmer uncovered, as this provides the most authentic thickening and flavor-enhancing outcome.
If you’re looking for an Instant Pot Chili we recommend giving this recipe a try!
Chili can be a healthy dish when prepared with lean proteins, loaded with fiber-rich ingredients like tomatoes and beans, and supplemented with low sodium or low sugar products to reduce salt and sugar intake.
Recipe Variations
There are several variations and substitutions that you can make in this recipe to suit your preferences.
If you prefer a spicier chili, you can increase the spice level by keeping the seeds in your jalapenos or adding some hot sauce or chili flakes. Pinto beans are also good options for changing the flavor.
When it comes to the meat, you have the option to use any ground meat you prefer, whether it’s chicken, turkey, or lean ground beef. If your meat has a high fat content, it’s recommended to drain it before simmering the chili.
For a different flavor profile, you can choose to add a bit of beer or beef broth to the chili. This will add depth to the overall taste. If you prefer not to use beer, you can simply use extra broth as a substitution.
Swap out the spices used in the recipe according to your personal preferences. If you’d like to make a tex-mex inspired chili, you can easily incorporate a packet of taco seasoning to give it that distinct flavor. We also recommend some garlic powder and black pepper.
Explore More Delicious Chili Recipes
Explore our collection of delicious, homemade chili recipes that are easy-to-make and freezer-friendly. For more chili inspiration, check out our full list of chili recipes!
- BBQ Chicken Chili
- Cream Cheese Chili
- Creamy White Chicken Chili
- Ground Turkey and Pumpkin Chili
- Ground Turkey Chili
- Ground Turkey Taco Chili
- Instant Pot Chili
- Mom’s Crockpot Chili
- Mom’s Easy Slow Cooker Chili
- No-Bean Chili with Ground Beef
- Shepherd’s Pie Chili
- Texas Chili
- Texas Roadhouse Chili
- Wendy’s Chili
The Best Homemade Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 10 ounces Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chiles, 1 can
- 16 ounces tomato sauce, 2 (8 ounce cans)
- 2 Tablespoons cumin
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 14 ounces kidney beans, 1 can, rinsed and drained
- 14 ounces black beans, 1 can, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup water
- shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
- avocado, for topping
- sour cream , for topping
Instructions
- Cook ground beef, onion, jalapeño and green pepper in a large pot over medium-high heat until beef is cooked.
- Drain excess grease.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt, cayenne pepper and paprika.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, add beans and water, then cover and let simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve hot and top with shredded cheddar cheese, avocado and sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
This.Is.Delicious!! Tons of flavor and the perfect chili consistency!! Thanks for another great recipie!!
Can you make this chili in the slowcooker?
You can make this chili in the slow cooker. Be sure to brown your hamburger with the onions and peppers in the pan before adding it all to the slow cooker.
This is a great recipe! Do you happen to have the nutritional information for it?
How long should you cook it in the slow cooker after browning the meat?
You could leave it anywhere from 2-4 hours on low. You’ll for sure want it to be heated through. And then in the slow cooker you could let it go a little longer by turning it on to the warm setting.
What is the calorie count of this? Per cup?
Is it just me…or does the written recipe provided here not match the recipe made in the video? Thanks!
They are different chili recipes. We post our you tube videos in our posts. We don’t have videos for every recipe, so often we will show a similar one or one that is trending.
How can you make this in the Insta pot instead?
Here is the link to a post we did on converting recipes to the instant pot – https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/how-to-convert-recipes-into-instant-pot-recipes/
My first time trying this recipe. Do I add the liquid with the rotel tomatoes?
Yes, add the liquid too.
My family loves this recipe! It’s our favorite. It’s also very versatile….I use petite diced tomatoes and a can of green chilis in place of the Rotel. I like white great northern beans instead of kidneys. It’s a great, versatile recipe. Thanks for another amazing family favorite.
There Re no spice quantities?
If you click on “Jump To Recipe” or continue to scroll down the post you will find the complete recipe, including measurements for the seasonings, which are 2 Tablespoons cumin, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika