This easy chili recipe is the best! It is full of flavor and satisfying, hearty beans and beef. Perfect for fall and the days when a warm bowl of chili is just what the doctor ordered.
Fall is the best! It’s time to get cozy, watch the seasons change, prepare for the holidays and enjoy our favorite soups and warm foods. What could be better than a hot bowl of chili with sour cream and cilantro on top? Most of what you will need to make this recipe is probably in your pantry right now. Skip the canned stuff and make an easy, healthy, homemade chili instead, you will love it!
This classic no-fuss chili is a perfect dinner any day of the week! It is hearty, satisfying and full of nutrition, like protein and fiber. If you prefer, here is a great Instant Pot recipe, but this one is a stove top chili that comes together in minutes and then simmers for a while with little checking in. You will be browning ground beef and adding diced onion, canned kidney beans and the perfect spices to produce a delicious, easy chili.
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Do I have to use kidney beans? Can I make this recipe without beans?
No. You can use any variety of bean that you prefer, in the same amounts. Pinto beans, white beans, and black beans are all excellent substitutes. If you would like to leave out the beans in this recipe, it is always an option to leave the beans out for Texas-style chili.
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Can I make this recipe with a different meat?
Yes. This recipe would work great with ground chicken or turkey, if you prefer a lighter meat. For a heavier, chunky chili try using cubed beef stew meat.
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If I don’t have time to watch this chili, can I put it in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. You can cook everything as directed on the stove top, and for the simmer time, transfer the chili to a slow cooker on high for about an hour. If you intend to leave it for a longer period of time, make sure you set the crock pot to low heat. You can also use our Instant Pot chili recipe.
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What goes best with chili?
Chili is often served with sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, cilantro, diced onions, Cornbread and even potatoes. This recipe is also a great food for a large gathering. You can combine this chili with baked potatoes and make an easy potato, chili bar—buffet style.
If you’re planning a chili night and would like some ideas to serve with it, here are some excellent sides dishes to serve with your chili:
- Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins
- Easy Skillet Cornbread
- Easy Corn Casserole
- Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
- Flaky Old Fashioned Biscuits
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
You are my #1 go to for dinner recipes! Thank you so much!
I’ve been using this recipe for 3 years, my husband and I are obsessed with it! Never used a different recipe for chili since finding this. The only things I do different is change the diced tomato to crushed (same amount), add more broth, and I add a couple tablespoons of sugar. Best chili we’ve ever had! Highly recommend it!
I love using this recipe when I make Over The Top Chili using my Big Green Egg. We shape the meat into a large meatball and put all the chili ingredients in a Dutch Oven. Using a wire rack, I put that over the pot and place the meatball on that and let it cook with a little extra wood for smoke until the meat is cooked through. I crumble the beef and add it to the chili that has been simmering underneath it the whole time. It’s definitely one of the best we’ve ever had.