Easy Chili Recipe - The Best Homemade Chili Recipe (2024)

Brittany Kline | Updated Recipes

Easy Chili Recipe - The Best Homemade Chili Recipe (1)

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What is better in the winter than a good Homemade Chili Recipe? From super bowl parties to chili cook-offs… chili is woven into the fabric of American winter culture. And for good reason; it’s AWESOME and there are so many variations.

Easy Chili Recipe - The Best Homemade Chili Recipe (2)

And if you’ve been searching for a good “standard” type chili that everyone will like, look no further! This is it. And it’s EASY! My mom cut this recipe out of a newspaper in the early ’90s, and it’s been our ‘family chili’ recipe ever since. There might be a few ingredients you are not used to seeing in chili, like cinnamon and chocolate chips (a Cincinnati chili influence), but trust me – they work!

This recipe is very similar to myCrockpot Chili Recipe, but there are minor differences and this homemade chili recipe is designed to be made on the stovetop. Which means it can beready to eat sooner.

And like I said – this is easy.

Chopping the onions is probably the hardest part.

One of the most important steps is to cook the onions as the ground beef cooks. Add a bit of salt at this step to soften the onions.

After the onions are soft and the beef is cooked, add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes. Drain the beef, and then add everything else except for the kidney beans and simmer for an hour or so. And yeah – even add those chocolate chips and cinnamon (you will thank me).

Then add the kidney beans and cook for another half hour. Top with cheese, serve cornbread or whatever you’d like!

Homemade Chili Recipe

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Brittany Kline

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. hamburger or turkey
  • 1 can of red kidney beans rinsed (15 oz)
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
  • 1 can of water 28 oz
  • 1 large onion minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional - depends on how spicy you want it
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbsp chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Over medium heat, cook ground meat in a large pan with the minced onion until browned. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

  • Drain the meat.

  • In a large sauce pan or stock pot over medium heat, add meat (with the onions and garlic) and mix with all other remaining ingredients except the kidney beans.

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until you've reached the desired thickness (or if using a slow cooker, cook on high for 4 hours).

  • Add kidney beans and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

  • Top with shredded cheese & sour cream and serve with a side of cornbread.

Interested in a similar Crockpot-friendly version? Here’s my Crockpot Chili Recipe that is even easier!

Have you grabbed the Savvy Mama Membershipyet? I might be biased but I think they are pretty amazing! They have saved our dinner hour for years now. Check them out!

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About Brittany Kline

Hi, I'm Brittany Kline! A organization, productivity, and home systems expert. With my master's degree in education and life experience as a mom I help other moms simplify and organize their entires lives. I have been featured in online publications like Forbes, TIME, USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Marie Claire, The Penny Hoarder, Bankrate, Nerd Wallet, CNBC, Acorns, Yahoo Finance, MSN, GoBankingRates, Her Money, Thrive Global, The Simple Dollar, Money Crashers, Readers Digest, FinCon, Best Company, Rent Cafe, Romper, Intuit Turbo, Opp Loans, CreditCards.com, Debt.com, Discover, LifeLock, Quick Sprout, Money Geek and many more! Click here to read all of my posts.

Easy Chili Recipe - The Best Homemade Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

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