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Best Chili

A classic chili recipe that's hearty, flavorful, and perfect for gatherings. Customize to your taste with various spice levels and toppings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 tbsp chili powder Adjust for spice level
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1¾ cups low sodium beef broth or one 14.5 oz can
  • 1 28 oz can fire-roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1 15 oz can pinto or black beans, rinsed & drained
Optional Toppings
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado slices
  • Chopped red or green onions
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Tortilla chips or cornbread

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
  2. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a spoon, until browned (about 5 minutes). Drain any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to release its flavor.
  4. Next, add the chili powder, ground cumin, brown sugar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well.
  5. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
  6. Mix in the fire-roasted tomatoes and both cans of beans.
Cooking
  1. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1-2 hours. Stir occasionally.
  2. Cover the pot for the first part of cooking, then uncover during the last 30 minutes to help thicken.
  3. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

Notes

For extra depth of flavor, let the chili simmer longer; the more it cooks, the better it tastes! Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your spice level. Adding a splash of lime juice just before serving can brighten the flavors. If you want a vegetarian version, you can use plant-based ground meat or just pile on more beans and veggies.