The Best Chili Recipe
My family says this is the BEST chili recipe ever! It’s hearty, comforting and flavorful. Made with ground beef, veggies, kidney beans and spices.
I remember coming home from school when I was a kid and my mom having a big pot of chili cooking on the stove. I was a picky kid, but I loved her chili. Give me a piece of buttered bread to dip in and I was a happy kid.
Chili is one of those meals that brings comfort. Everyone has a different way to make it even though the recipes are often similar. Some use different beans and types of meats. I typically use ground beef, but I have made it before with ground chicken and ground turkey.
This chili recipe is well-loved in my home. My fiancé’s parents often come over for dinner and they always enjoy it. His mom said it was “thick and delicious”. I like my chili nice and thick and not runny like a soup!
Ingredients
So what’s in the “best chili ever” (in my opinion, of course!)…check out the ingredients.
- Lean ground beef
- Onions
- Green peppers (see my tips on how to easily cut a bell pepper)
- Red peppers
- Sliced mushrooms
- Crushed tomatoes
- Red kidney beans
- Red wine vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chili powder
I got the idea for adding red wine vinegar to my chili recipe after trying out Presidential Chili, President Obama’s family recipe. I really love the flavor it adds!
This recipe has six tablespoonfuls of chili powder so it does have a bit of a kick to it. You could reduce the amount if you think that might be too strong for you. Matty doesn’t like spicy foods and found it to be ok for him though.
How to Make
- Step One: Add ground beef, onions, green pepper and red pepper to a large pot. Cook over medium heat until the ground beef is cooked and vegetables are softened.
- Step Two: Add the rest of the ingredients (minus the garnishes) to the pot. Stir to combine. Cover.
- Step Three: Reduce heat to a simmer on low heat. Cook for 1 hour.
- Step Four: Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream and cheese, if you like.
Chili Garnish Ideas
Eating plain works, but sometimes you want to snazz up your chili a bit.
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Corn chips
- Chopped avocado
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sliced green onions
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These kitchen tools will help you make this recipe.
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What goes well with chili for dinner
- Cornbread
- Tossed salad
- Cheesy Potato Skins
- Coleslaw
- Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Can you freeze chili
Yes! Chili freezes really well. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. I love making extra batches to freeze so we can enjoy it for a few dinners over the coming months.
Homemade Chili Recipes
Try my other chili recipes:
- Taco Chili
- Quick White Bean & Turkey Chili (made in the Instant Pot)
- Bean Chili
- Pumpkin Chili
- Southwestern Turkey 5 Bean Chili
- Pantry Chili
- Cowboy Chicken Chili Casserole
- Chicken Chili
- Chili Macaroni
- White Chicken Chili
- One-Pot Chili Rigatoni
- Frito Chili Pie
What is your favorite homemade chili recipe?
The Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 can sliced mushrooms 8oz can, drained
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes 28oz cans
- 1 can red kidney beans 16oz can, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 6 tbsp chili powder
- Sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Add ground beef, onions, green pepper and red pepper to a large pot. Cook over medium heat until the ground beef is cooked and vegetables are softened.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (minus the garnishes) to the pot. Stir to combine. Cover.
- Reduce heat to a simmer on low heat. Cook for 1 hour.
- Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream and cheese, if you like.
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
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