There is not much that compares to the comfort that a bowl of delicious chili will bring you. This classic chili recipe makes the perfect bowl in just 30 minutes. It is sure to be the best chili recipe you ever try!

Just like our easy taco soup, chili is loaded with ground beef, and beans, and made extra flavorful with vegetables and aromatics. Altogether, our recipe promises a quick and easy chili that is sure to become a fall favorite for you and your family. 

Beef chili in a bowl topped with sour cream and cheese with crackers on the side.

Cold weather calls for a homemade bowl of soup or stew, and no soup is as hearty as this chili. Homemade chili is full of flavorful meat with tasty broth, and results in bite after bite of goodness. Load up your chili with cheese, and sour cream, and you will have a perfect meal. 

With flavors that are reminiscent of our ground beef tacos and evidently, you can enjoy this stew-like soup all year round. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make. The entire process of making the classic chili is so quick adding to our collection of 30-minute meals!
  • Comforting. A hot bowl of chili is incredibly soothing and makes a great comfort meal. 
  • Kid-friendly. Children love the delicious soup, especially when topped with sour cream, and shredded cheese. 
A ladle scooping homemade chili out of a pot.

Ingredients for Chili

  • Ground beef – we recommend using 80/20 ground beef, for the perfect balance of fat, just like the meat we use in our ground beef taco bowls
  • Onion & carrot – diced up, these vegetables create a delicious base for our chili. 
  • Green pepper – adds flavor and contributes to the texture of the chili. 
  • Garlic – an important aromatic that adds depth to this classic chili recipe. 
  • Broth – your choice of beef broth or chicken broth, both add great depth to the chili. 
  • Can of diced tomatoes – we use the juice, along with the diced tomatoes. You can also use a can of crushed tomatoes, ​​or you can dilute some tomato paste.
  • Kidney beans – canned beans work great. You can also use black beans or pinto beans.
  • Chili seasoning – a combination of ground cumin, sugar, salt, pepper, and of course, chili powder!

For a complete list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below. 

How to Make Chili Step-by-Step

Making chili doesn’t have to be complicated and time-consuming. With just a few short steps, you can have a hot and tasty bowl of homemade chili. 

A pot containing beef cooking with onion.

Step 1 – Cook the meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground beef then add the onion and cook until tender. 

A pot of beef with the addition of vegetables.

Step 2 – Add veggies: Add in cubed carrots, peppers, and garlic. Saute until vegetables are tender and garlic is fragrant. 

The pot of cooking chili with broth.

Step 3 – Finish chili: Add in the broth, diced tomatoes, beans, and seasoning. Bring to a soft boil, and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, or until chili is desired thickness.

The finished chili with fresh herbs.

Step 4 – Garnish: Finally, garnish the chili with fresh herbs. Proceed to top the chili with sour cream and some shredded cheddar cheese.

Toppings for Chili

Although chili is delicious as is, you can significantly improve it by adding some delicious toppings that allow you to customize each bowl to your liking. 

  • Lime wedge – squeeze lime into your bowl to add a refreshing zest to the hearty bowl. 
  • Cheese – cheddar cheese makes a great topping to your finished bowl of chili. Allow it to melt into the hot soup for a delicious and cheesy chili. 
  • Green onions – garnish your bowl of chili with sliced green onions for some color and flavor. 
  • Sour cream – a dollop of sour cream takes this chili to the next level. 
  • Herbs – a finish of freshly chopped cilantro or parsley adds a great flavor to the chili. 
  • Fried tortilla strip – a delicious crunchy topping that adds texture to every bite.
  • Tortilla chips – you may top your chili with these, or use them to scoop chili!

Serving Suggestions

  • Quesadillas: You can serve this chili with some cheese quesadillas. Additionally, you can dip the quesadilla into the chili. 
  • With a side: Chili is undoubtedly, well complimented by loaded baked potatoes
  • With a dip: A bowl of pico de gallo pairs beautifully with the filling chili. Altogether, the acidity and refreshing crunch of the pico de gallo balances the heavier chili beautifully. 
  • Bread: You will certainly want to complete the meal with cornbread, homemade breadsticks, or even bread machine bread.

Expert Tips for the Best Chili

  • Meat: Swap out beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, and even pork. 
  • Fat content: Be sure to drain any excess fat if using 80/20 beef. 
  • Brown the meat: To get a deep and rich flavor, be sure to allow your beef mixture to brown well. 
  • Spice: Add diced jalapeño, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the seasoning to give the chili an extra kick! 
  • Tomatoes: If you don’t like chunks of tomato in the chili you can use tomato purée, or simply blend the diced tomatoes with the juice before adding them in! 
  • Consistency: Adjust the thickness of your chili to your liking! Proceed to add more or less broth depending on what you prefer. If you like the chili thicker, simmer longer to allow it to reduce.

Faq’s

Can chili be made vegetarian? 

Of course, chili can be made vegetarian. Simply take out the beef, and add in more vegetables and beans. You can also use vegetable broth as your base as well. 

Can I use water instead of broth? 

You can indeed use water but broth adds a depth of flavor to your chili that you don’t want to skip out on. However, if you are using water, be sure to add more seasoning to compensate for the loss of flavor. 

Is chili healthy for you? 

When using high-quality ingredients, chili can be very good for you. This soup is packed with protein from the beef and the beans making it a great healthy comfort food. 

A bowl of homemade chili, garnished with sour cream, and shredded cheese.

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Store leftover chili in an air-tight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat. Warm your refrigerated chili in a pot over low to medium heat until hot. 
  • Freeze. Chili freezes very well, for an easy meal in the coming month. Make sure you are freezing fully cooled chili. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat: Allow soup to thaw in the fridge before reheating in a pot over low heat so as not to overcook.

More Soup Recipes 

If you enjoyed this chili recipe, be sure to try our other popular soup recipes, here are some reader favorites:

If you tried this Classic Chili Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we really appreciate it!

Classic Chili Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)

Author: Valentina
Print
4.94 from 15 votes
This classic chili recipe makes the best version of chili that only takes 30 minutes to have on the table. Hearty seasoned ground beef with vegetables and rich broth, comfort food in a bowl!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion finely cubed
  • 1 large carrot cubed
  • 1/2 medium green pepper, cubed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth, or chicken broth
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 15.5 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

chili seasonings-

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven, add the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat breaking up the meat as it’s browned.
  • Add the onion, carrots, bell pepper and continue to cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender.
  • Finally, add the broth, tomatoes, beans and seasonings and allow the soup to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Top your chili with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

  • Tomato chunks: If you don’t like tomato chunks in your chili you can puree the diced tomatoes with the juice, or you can also use tomato puree. 
  • Storage: Refrigerate cooled chili in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat: Easily reheat chili in a pot over low heat until reheated.

Nutrition

367kcal Calories14g Carbs24g Protein23g Fat8g Saturated Fat80mg Cholesterol1226mg Sodium679mg Potassium4g Fiber4g Sugar1610IU Vitamin A13mg Vitamin C72mg Calcium4mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Chili Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 367 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 80mg27%
Sodium 1226mg53%
Potassium 679mg19%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 1610IU32%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 72mg7%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

NOTE: Recipe developed by Valentina’s Corner and first published on Natasha’s Kitchen.