4.9 from 62 votes
Classic Chili Recipe
Classic Chili features ground beef cooked with onion, garlic, jalapenos, and a blend of spices simmered with tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and red kidney beans. The resulting chili is richly seasoned, hearty, and thick with tender meat and beans, offering a warm, slightly spicy dish that develops depth from slow simmering. It’s ideal served with toppings like cheddar, sour cream, or fresh herbs.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
405 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced, large
- 2-3 jalapeno pepper diced (use bell pepper for milder heat
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 pounds ground beef lean
- 3 tablespoons chili powder or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for extra spicy
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 15 ounce diced tomatoes with juices (or use fire roasted tomatoes as a tasty alternative, my preference, canned
- 1 15 ounce crushed tomatoes with juices, canned
- 2 15 ounce red kidney bean drained and rinsed, canned
- hot sauce 1 tablespoon or more red pepper flakes (for a spicier version, optional extras, 1 tablespoon or more
- Toppings. Choose your favorites!
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot to medium heat.
- Add the onion and peppers and cook 2-3 minutes to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Brown the meat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste, and tomato paste. Cook 1-2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
- Add the beef broth, tomatoes, and kidney beans.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and develop. You can simmer longer if you’d like, up to 60 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings, like shredded cheddar cheese, spicy chili flakes, sour cream, chopped green onion, chopped cilantro or parsley, fritos or tortilla chips, or others.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Toppings like cheese, sour cream, fresh herbs, and chips can be added as desired.
- Adjust spice levels by changing jalapeno quantity or omitting cayenne pepper.
- Simmering longer than 30 minutes deepens flavors and thickens the chili.
Nutrition Information
Calories
405kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
43g
(86%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
94mg
(31%)
Sodium
643mg
(27%)
Potassium
1450mg
(31%)
Fiber
10g
(40%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1721IU
(34%)
Vitamin C
24mg
(27%)
Calcium
124mg
(12%)
Iron
9mg
(50%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 405kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 643mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 1450mg | 31% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1721IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 124mg | 12% |
| Iron | 9mg | 50% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.