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Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

A hearty and comforting chili recipe that's perfect for family dinners or game day, easily customizable with pantry ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1.75 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 28 oz fire roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 15 oz red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 15 oz pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (optional for a hotter chili)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
  • to taste shredded cheddar cheese Add any other toppings like sour cream, green onions, or cilantro as desired.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until it begins to soften.
  3. Introduce the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until it browns, roughly 5 minutes.
  4. Drain any excess fat and add the minced garlic, stirring for 30 seconds.
Cooking
  1. Mix in the chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
  2. Pour in the beef broth and stir, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
  3. Incorporate the crushed tomatoes and beans, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  4. Keep the chili covered for the first part of the cooking time, then uncover it during the last 30 minutes to allow it to thicken as needed.
Serving
  1. Serve the chili hot with your preferred toppings.

Notes

Feel free to adjust beans or use what you have. It tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance. For added smokiness, use smoked paprika instead of chili powder. If you want it spicier, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.