The Ultimate Chili Recipe is everything you crave on a cool evening: bold, hearty, perfectly spiced, and ready to warm you from the inside out. Packed with ground beef, tender beans, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, this one-pot wonder is ideal for game days, weeknight dinners, or any time you need comfort in a bowl.
It’s thick, rich, and loaded with flavor—and the best part? You can customize it endlessly to suit your spice level, protein choice, and pantry staples. Whether you love it mild or with a kick, this chili earns its title as the ultimate.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍅 Rich, deep chili flavor from simple pantry ingredients
- 🥣 One-pot meal, easy cleanup
- 🧑🍳 Beginner-friendly but flavor-packed
- 🌶 Customizable with heat level, protein, or veggie options
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup beef broth or water (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 more minute.
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Toast spices for 1 minute.
- Simmer: Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Tips & Variations
Tips
- Thicker chili? Let it simmer uncovered longer
- Richer flavor? Add a splash of coffee or dark chocolate during simmering
- Less spicy? Skip cayenne or reduce chili powder
Variations
- Vegetarian: Use lentils or extra beans in place of beef
- Turkey Chili: Sub ground turkey for a leaner option
- Beer Chili: Swap broth with dark beer for depth
- Smoky Kick: Add chopped chipotle in adobo
FAQs
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the beef first, then add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4.
Q: Can I freeze chili?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, portion into containers, and freeze up to 3 months.
Q: What toppings go best with chili?
Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, or crushed tortilla chips are all delicious!
Ultimate Chili Recipe
Equipment
- – Large pot
- Cutting board & knife
- – Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 large onion diced
- – 4 cloves garlic minced
- – 2 lbs ground beef
- – 1 red bell pepper chopped
- – 1 green bell pepper chopped
- – 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
- – 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- – 2 15 oz cans kidney beans, rinsed
- – 1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed
- – 3 tbsp chili powder
- – 1 tbsp cumin
- – 1 tsp smoked paprika
- – ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- – Salt & pepper to taste
- – ½ cup beef broth or water
Instructions
- Heat oil in pot. Sauté onion & peppers 5 mins. Add garlic, cook 1 min.
- Add beef. Cook until browned. Drain fat.
- Stir in spices. Toast 1 min.
- Add tomatoes, sauce, beans, broth. Simmer 30–40 mins uncovered.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve with toppings.
Notes
– Add dark chocolate or coffee for deeper flavor
– Top with cheese, sour cream, chips, or jalapeños
Conclusion
Hearty, flavorful, and endlessly flexible, this Ultimate Chili Recipe will become your go-to comfort dish all season long. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer, it’s a recipe worth bookmarking. Don’t forget the cornbread or a side of rice for the full chili experience!