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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Haven’t made this yet, but the recipe prompted a question 🙂 I see recipes all the time that tell you to add (like this one) an ingredient like 1/4 t of cinnamon. My question is whether or not that tiny amount of spice is even noticeable in the final product. If you made the recipe with and without it and did a blind tasting, could anyone tell the difference? Just something I’ve always wondered 🙂
Hi John, Great question. Cinnamon is a strong spice that not everyone loves in savory dishes so I don’t use a lot. A little bit adds background warmth to the chili but you can’t really taste it as an individual flavor. I don’t think it would stand out in a blind tasting, but to me that’s a good thing. If you could identify it, that might mean it’s overpowering the other flavors. In general, I go for a balance of flavors with recipes like this. That said, one of my girlfriends made this dish and told me she doubled the cinnamon since she loves that flavor — so always feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Maybe just wait to the end so that you can adjust to taste.
Disappointing. Sweet and no flavor
Hi Kathy,
Did you skip any steps ? I’ve made this chili many times but with all recipes, I have to follow them exactly or else they don’t turn out right. Then once I get it a few times, I make adjustments if I want to. For this recipe, I have no complaints , I think it’s really rich and flavorful, but I’ve decided to just buy a chili packet of spices and then add the cinnamon, and it comes out great. Hope you give it another try and good luck. 🙂
– Jessica
I have a family member that cannot eat beans so I was thrilled to come across your recipe! Our son has been so hungry for chili and this recipe hit the spot. It is so flavorful and hearty and is good just the way it is. Also a side of pasta, cheese and onions gets along nicely with it too.
Oh, Jenn! BEST CHILI EVER! Had company for Super bowl and this was FABULOUS! I made it the day before almost exactly as your recipe stated. I did not have coriander or Chipotle chili powder and since we like a mild chili it was perfect! I did add a can of black beans and a can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained. Super yummy! Adding the beans also stretches the servings to 8.
Served it with the sides you suggested. It was a FEAST! I’ve tried at least 25 of your recipes and they are always excellent! For almost two years I check your recipes first and seldom stray. Thank you so much for all you do to create, adapt and share your kitchen creations. It’s totally revived my joy for cooking!
I thought I had the best chili ever. Well, I don’t, Jenn does. It was a very big hit with my husband and friends. It’s a bit involved but, believe me, worth it. Had to buy molasses and smoked paprika and glad I did as it made a difference. Also, Jenn mentioned two different chili ingredients that I couldn’t find so I used regular chili. I also used the juice of almost a whole lime instead of a tablespoon. Great recipe Jenn. Thanks so much.
Can in use canned chipotle in adobo and make my own ancho chili sauce to add to the mixture? Also, fresh herbs? Not a huge fan of dry spices. I try to use fresh ingredients as much as I can.
Hi Alex, You can use canned chipotle peppers in place of the chipotle chili powder and ancho chili powder, cilantro in place of coriander and fresh oregano instead of dried. You can omit the smoked paprika but you’ll need to use cumin – there’s no fresh sub for that. Hope you enjoy!
i made the chili yesterday for tonight’s dinner. It was soooo good!
Hubbycommented that it was the best chili he ever had. I did add a can of black beans since we like them. Many thanks for this recipe!
Your recipe call for vegetable oil, but the picture of ingredients shows canola oil. Can either be used for this recipe?
Either is fine, SV. Hope you enjoy it!
I made this for the Super Bowl and it was delicious. It was just a little sweet on the front end but had nice heat on the back end.
This is the best chili I’ve ever made! The spice combination is fantastic! It has just the right amount of heat for my family’s tastes.