Easy Classic Chili Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Why Make This Recipe

Chili is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, filling, and perfect for cold days. This Easy Classic Chili Recipe is simple to make and can warm you up in no time. It’s also great for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping. You can enjoy it alone, with friends, or share it at potlucks.

How to Make Easy Classic Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned. Drain the excess fat.
4. Stir in the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Mix well.
5. Season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and add the bay leaf.
6. Bring the chili to a simmer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

How to Serve Easy Classic Chili

Serve your chili hot in bowls. You can add toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips for extra flavor. It goes well with cornbread or over rice, making it a complete meal that everyone will love.

How to Store Easy Classic Chili

If you have leftovers, store the chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, just warm it on the stove or in the microwave until hot.

Tips to Make Easy Classic Chili

• To save time, you can use canned beans and pre-diced vegetables.
• If you like your chili spicy, add more cayenne pepper or jalapeños.
• For a thicker chili, let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid.
• You can use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative.

Variation

For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a mix of mushrooms, lentils, or extra beans. You can also add vegetables like zucchini or corn for more flavor.

FAQs

Can I use different meats?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even pork.

Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

How spicy is this chili?
This chili has a mild to medium spice level. You can adjust it by adding more cayenne or chili powder to suit your taste.

Easy Classic Chili

A hearty and comforting chili recipe that's simple to make and perfect for cold days or feeding a crowd.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the chili

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
• 1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional) Adjust based on spice preference.
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Method

 

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned. Drain the excess fat.

Cooking

1. Stir in the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Mix well.
2. Season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and add the bay leaf.
3. Bring the chili to a simmer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or green onions. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.