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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This is such good chili! My husband hates beans in his chili so I tried this one. It’s delicious and easy to make. I’m definitely making it again soon.
Made for a chilli cook off and based off the comments I for sure thought we would win. Made it exactly as the recipe called and transferred into a crock pot for the remainder of time and for the contest. By the time it came to judging the liquid was completely absorbed and was thick mush. Came in 2nd last place :/ Is there something I should do differently when using a crock pot. I’m not giving up and want to try this same recipe next year for my chili cook off redemption.
Hi Amanda, I’m sorry you had a problem with this and came in second to last! I’m surprised that the liquid was absorbed in your crockpot. I don’t have any experience using one, but I thought that, if anything, they tend to make things more liquidy. If you try this again, maybe cook it entirely in a standard pot and then transfer it to a crockpot just for the contest/judging. Also, you could reduce the cornmeal (which serves as a thickener) to 1 tablespoon. Hope that helps!
Please, is there a way to make this recipe in an instant pot?
Hi Rita, I don’t have an instant pot but another reader used one and said the following: I followed everything but just sautéd and boiled in the instant pot and used the chili setting, which is 30 minutes on high. I used natural release for 10 minutes. Hope you find her guidance useful and enjoy the chili!
Thank you so much. That’s very helpful! I’ll try it.
Best chili- delish!!! We love beans so the only change I make is adding one can kidney & one can black beans. My boys eat it up!!!! Your recipes are always amazing, flavorful & easy to follow. Thank you ❤️
I had to make an adjustment, used 3 Tbsp chipotle chili powder (did not have ancho). Added a Corona beer and tsp sugar as I’m a wimp with heat now, so needed to tame the heat level.
My husband must have beans in his chili, so added 1 can dark kidney beans and 1 can white beans (limited bean choices in France).
By far the best chili recipe I’ve ever used, and I did taste before making my additions. In my younger years the recipe as written would have been perfect!
Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Love this chili. I’ve made it several times and it’s always the first thing gone at a party. I made it exactly to the recipe with the addition of tri-color kidney beans. The cinnamon, molasses, smoked paprika and chipotle chili powder are crucial to its unique flavor.
Excellent chili! Everything I make from this website is excellent! I added 2 cans of kidney beans because that is chili to me and there was also so much liquid that the beans filled the pot and it was perfect. Will definetly be making this again.
Fantastic chili! When I need a good recipe for something, I always come and see what Jen has to offer. So many of her recipes are on repeat in my house. THIS is sooooo good. I only added 2 tsp. of the chipotle chili powder, because the one I have is scorching hot. I just added an extra tsp. of the adobo instead. I added a jalapeno, sans seeds, to the onion/pepper mixture. I also used Muir Glen Fire Roasted tomatoes, smoked paprika, molasses and cinnamon (it doesn’t make the chili sweet, just gives it dimension of flavor). It has such a wonderful smokiness. Lastly, I added two cans of drained & rinsed kidney beans and one can of cannelini, because I like beans in my chili.
I made the chili for a small crowd tonight and it was a hit with everyone! I doubled the recipe (cooked the meat and veggies in two separate pots first and combined it) and added two cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed, and one can of white beans, drained and rinsed, because I didn’t have enough meat. I’ll definitely make this again in the future.
Wow. This is a proper chili. Worth every step, every spice. Add the cinnamon and molasses. It won’t be too sweet but it does add a depth of flavor. This chili packs some heat that I turned down with sour cream in my own bowl, though everyone else said it wasn’t too hot and I was the wimp. I only added one can of beans. Two would probably work better. I actually made this in a cast-iron pan and transferred to crockpot to cook on low for 3 hours. I love ground beef to be really tender. Having said all this, I don’t like chili in general. I made this recipe for my family and it is so flippin good, I will gladly make it again.
Made this tonight for dinner and it was absolutely incredible! The depth of flavor was unparalleled and now I understand how others placed or won using this recipe in a cook-off. Another winner!