This savory ground beef chili recipe is the perfect cozy dinner – full of flavor and easy to make. You can mix it up in different ways with various toppings, making it incredibly family-friendly. Plus, this hearty chili freezes well, so it’s great for meal prep!
When the weather turns cool and the calendar gets full, there’s nothing better than a delicious pot of homemade chili. This classic chili recipe has a depth of flavor that is even better the next day, making it a favorite for the freezer and meal prep. It’s also a great recipe to take to new moms or a friend in need of a meal.
This is the best chili recipe because of the perfect seasoning mix and secret ingredient – just a bit of brown sugar to even out rich tomato flavor, balance the spice level, and pull out the earthy flavor of the meat. Make a hearty meal for game day, or whip up a cozy dinner on a cold day.
This ground beef chili is a good chili to serve over rice or with baked potatoes. It’s a complete meal on its own, but the whole family loves it paired with whole wheat dinner rolls, or a side of sourdough cornbread. Top with fermented peppers, fermented hot sauce, sour cream, and a bit of shredded cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crowd pleaser – This recipe is one everyone loves. It’s kid friendly, not too spicy, and has very classic chili flavors. For more heat, you can increase the amount of chili powder.
Great leftovers – As the chili sits, you get deeper flavors, so it tastes amazing after sitting in the fridge.
Easy to customize – The topping options are really endless! Mix it up however you like. Go classic with shredded cheese and sour cream. Brighten it up with fresh cilantro and lime. For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce.
Ingredients
Beans – Any combination of beans works. Black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans are all classic.
Tomatoes – Swap crushed tomatoes for diced tomatoes if you want more texture. Fire-roasted tomatoes add a lovely smokiness.
Ground beef – You can use ground turkey if you don’t want as much fat or Italian sausage with the basic chili recipe. You can even mix a pound of ground beef with another ground meat.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Ground Beef Chili
Step 1: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat to medium-high heat until well browned. Use a slotted spoon to drain off any excess fat and set the beef aside.
Step 2: If needed, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot. Sauté onions and minced garlic for 2 – 3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Return the beef to the pot, then stir in the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Mix well to combine the rest of the ingredients.
Step 4: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Tips
- Add chopped red bell peppers and green bell peppers when you add the onion for a bit more pepper flavor. Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.
- For easy fat draining, place a fine-mesh strainer over a mixing bowl and carefully pour the cooked beef into it. This lets the excess grease drain away completely while keeping the meat separate.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed corn chips. Other great options are chopped green onions, avocado, fresh cilantro, and/or a squeeze of lime juice.
- Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within three days or freeze in freezer bags laid flat for easy storage.
Recipe FAQs
The ground beef and the spice mix are the secret to great chili! Using ground beef allows for more flavor, even when you drain the excess grease. Balancing spices with a bit of brown sugar is also key.
Undercooking the meat and not using enough seasoning are common mistakes when making chili. Allow the onions time to cook for caramelized flavors. Make your own spice mix as written below for the perfect flavor.
Yes. The longer you simmer, the more the flavors can meld together and you get next level flavor! Simmering for an hour is perfect, but definitely do not simmer longer than a couple of hours unless you’re using a slow cooker or crock pot.
More Dinner Recipes from the Farmhouse
- White Chicken Chili
- Easy Korean Beef
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Easy & Healthy Lunch Ideas
- Dutch Oven Beef Stew
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Ground Beef Chili
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or large pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 19 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 19 oz can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 20 oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
- 398 ml can of tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: lime juice, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese.
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until well browned. Drain off any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- If needed, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for 2 – 3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Return the beef to the pot, then stir in the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Mix well to combine.
- Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Cover partially and let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning at the end of cooking and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- For a heartier, thicker chili, simmer uncovered the last 15 – 20 minutes to let it reduce. For a looser chili, add a splash more broth.
- Topping ideas: sour cream, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, croutons, cilantro, lime juice, avocado, red pepper flakes, fermented peppers, fermented hot sauce.
- Serve with rice, whole wheat dinner rolls, or a side of sourdough cornbread.
- Please double check amounts when using the multiplying feature in the recipe card.
- This recipe freezes well and is great for meal prep.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
