The Ultimate Chili Recipe
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Prepping for game day or seeking warmth on a cool day? Give my chili recipe a whirl—it’s everything a classic beef chili should be and more.
This chili recipe is my tried-and-true favorite—the best classic ground beef chili in my book. Hearty and packed with deep flavors, it has just the right amount of spicy kick to warm you up on a chilly day. Whether you pair it with fluffy cornbread, serve it over cilantro lime rice, scoop it up with crunchy tortilla chips, or spoon it over baked potatoes, this chili always hits the spot. It’s perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or simply when you need a cozy meal. Plus, it freezes beautifully, so go ahead and make a double batch!
“We’re Texans and love your chili! It is so well flavored without being hot…Thank you for another great recipe!”
Chili Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Provides the hearty meaty base for the chili. Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish’s overall flavor and texture. And don’t stress about the fat—post-cooking, it’s easy to skim off any excess. If you’d like to use ground turkey as an alternative, I suggest this turkey recipe.
- Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent. Also accelerates browning, resulting in a more flavorful, tender chili.
- Onion, Garlic, Red Bell Pepper: Forms the aromatic base of the chili.
- Spices and Herbs (ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, ground cumin, oregano, ground coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon): Gives the chili its distinctive flavor and heat.
- Cornmeal: Acts as a thickening agent.
- Beef Broth: Provides liquid and enhances the beefy flavor of the chili.
- Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: Adds a rich tomato flavor and contributes to the chili’s thick texture.
- Molasses: Offers a touch of sweetness to balance the heat and spices.
- Lime Juice: Adds a hint of acidity and brightness to the chili’s flavor profile.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by combining the ground beef, salt, baking soda, and water in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix until evenly combined. Let the beef mixture sit for 20 minutes. The baking soda raises the pH of the meat, helping to lock in moisture and accelerate browning.
Meanwhile, chop the veggies. I use a food processor to speed this up, but it’s fine to chop by hand too.
In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes.
Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.
The beef will release a lot of fat and liquid — do not drain it; you’ll skim the fat off at the end. Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon (if using).
Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until well combined and fragrant. Add the cornmeal, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and molasses (if using).
Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Skim any excess fat off of the surface of the chili — there will be quite a bit.
Stir in the lime juice, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve homemade chili with accompaniments, such as sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, scallions, corn, avocado, or whatever you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add beans to this chili?
Yes, you can absolutely add beans to your chili if you like them. Common choices are kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans. Simply rinse and drain canned beans before adding them to the chili during the last half hour of cooking. Beans not only add a hearty texture but also increase the fiber content of your chili, making it even more filling and nutritious.
How spicy is this chili?
This recipe has a medium spice level. You can easily adjust the spiciness of the chili to suit your preference. If you like it milder, reduce the amount of chipotle chili powder. To make it spicier, add cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to taste.
Can chili be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Chili actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld. You can make a big batch, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat it when you’re ready to enjoy.
Can chili be frozen?
Yes, chili freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost it in the fridge overnight.
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Video Tutorial
The Ultimate Chili Recipe
Prepping for game day or seeking warmth on a cool day? Give my chili recipe a whirl—it’s everything a classic beef chili should be and more.
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds 85% lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion (or 2 small), minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, minced
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for a sweeter chili)
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon molasses, such as Grandma's Original (optional, for a sweeter chili)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from 1 lime
For Serving (optional)
- Cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, cheese, scallions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt, baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of water. Using your hands, mix until evenly combined. Let the beef mixture sit on the counter for 20 minutes.
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes. (The beef will release a lot of liquid -- do not drain it; you'll skim the fat off at the end.)
- Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon (if using); cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until well combined and fragrant.
- Stir in the cornmeal, broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and molasses (if using); bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
- Skim any excess fat off the surface of the chili. (There will be quite a bit; don't worry about getting all of it, as it adds flavor.) Stir in the lime juice, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. For a thinner chili, you can add a bit of water. To thicken the chili, continue simmering, uncovered, until desired consistency is reached.
- Make Ahead: Cool slightly, and then refrigerate uncovered until cold. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The chili can be frozen for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 655
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Sugar: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Sodium: 1711 mg
- Cholesterol: 134 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Comments
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This recipe is a winner! I am a Pacific NW native, but I prefer flavorful foods like from the Southwest. I am wheat/corn intolerant so I had to omit the corn meal and use arrowroot. Beans are off my diet as well, so this chili recipe is PERFECT for my needs! In my opinion the additional sweetness is an amazing game changer for chili. By the way, this was my first chili attempt!
I made this recipe precisely as directed, using brand-new bulk spices from Central Market (a local gourmet grocery). On the plus side, the meat was tender and not overly dry. But, the chili was very bland – it was sorely lacking in chili flavor, heat, salt, umami… you name it, it was missing it (except sweetness – the vegetables plus molasses plus sugar made it just a touch too sweet). I can only surmise this is a recipe intended to suit a midwestern palate, as no one I know would find this interesting or even passable chili. With some tweaks (including the addition of a lot more chili powder, salt, marmite, and dousing it with hot sauce before serving), it was edible, but the five star rating suggests people outside of Texas have vastly different expectations of chili.
Lindsey, Chili is very regional and Texas definitely is one regionally defined chili-cubed not ground , broth no beans and probably the least fussy to make. That said it is after all a preference for taste and texture. A little vinegar defines part of Carolina chili, chocolate and pasta Cincinnati. It is fun to experiment with regionally defined dishes. They are all good.
Hi
We really love your chili. My new daughter in law is vegan and i would like to make this for her but leave out the meat. How many cans
Of beans would you suggest in its place?
Thank you
Marci kalinin
Hi Marci, this does call for a lot of beef so I hope it translates well to just beans as I’ve never tried it this way. That said, I’d probably suggest 3 cans of beans. Also, I’ve never worked with veggie crumbles of any kind, but you could bulk up the chili a bit with those if your daughter in law will eat those. I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!
I am planning on making this today with ground turkey. Would you still use beef broth or should i use a poutlry broth? Thank you so much!
Hi Vikki, I’d use chicken broth. Enjoy!
Hi Jenn. Any thoughts on making this vegetarian by using TVP/veggie crumbles/veggies and vegetable broth? I’ve done that when winging chili in the past with good results…but I love all your recipes and value your experience and recommendations!
Hi Frankie, Glad you like the recipes! 🙂 I’ve never worked with veggie crumbles of any kind, so it’s hard to say for sure, but I definitely think it’s worth a try. I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!
Hi Jenn! Can I substitute something for the cornmeal, or would it be okay to leave it out? Would love some chili, but have no access to cornmeal at the local store where I am!
You could probably get away with omitting the cornmeal, although it helps to thicken the chili. If you have corn tortillas on hand, you could grind a few up in a food processor and use them. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you so much for the reply, Jenn! I did blend up a couple of corn tortillas with the broth, and the chili was absolutely delicious. I will make this again and again, it was a huge hit with my family!
Glad everyone enjoyed! 🙂
I was trying to find a chili recipe to use for guests I am having for July 4th but wanted to try it out first before serving it to others and it was fantastic. I added a can of beans as other reviewers had suggested. This will now be my “go-to” chili recipe. Thanks you for always providing great foolproof recipes!
Hi Jenn,
Made your chili today. Not to overstate, but that’s the best chili recipe I’ve ever made. There were a few things I liked about it. First, as you make it, the recipe fills the house with amazing chili fragrance. Second, it was simple and last of all it tastes even better than it smells. Truly a masterpiece recipe, thanks for sharing it and that is how I will make chili forever after.
☺️
My second review, just because we love this recipe so much. In our humble opinion, what makes this the best is
1– the broth. Instead of a thick tomato-y sauce this is a rich flavorful beefy tomato sauce. May be too soupy for some but the broth is one of the keys.
2– spice combination is perfect. Not just “chili powder.” It’s part of what makes the broth so great.
3– adding beans towards the end. They aren’t mushy and two cans is plenty. We don’t like too many beans in ours.
So thanks again for sharing another awesome dish with us!
I only have 1lb of lean ground turkey, would this be ok? If so, should I do half of all the other ingredients?
Yes, I think cutting the other ingredients by half (if not a tiny bit more) will work. Hope you enjoy!
It was a big hit, thank you!
I have been cooking for my husband for over 40 years (along with 4 kids) so I’ve made chili many times. Sometimes with a recipe and sometimes not. When I made this recipe the first time, my husband said it was the best I’d ever made. When I made it again, he said the same thing. I think I have found my “chili recipe for life”!