The best quick and easy chili recipe! Made in 30 minutes on the stovetop, this beef chili is a delicious family-friendly dinner to enjoy in the fall! It’s made from scratch (no packaged seasoning)!

I created this easy chili recipe the night I went into labor with my 5th baby on Super Bowl Sunday! I didn’t expect to still be pregnant, so I planned nothing for our football-watching menu. But lo and behold I wasn’t snuggling my sweet newborn quite yet, so I quickly whipped up this beef chili recipe before the game started, and it turned out so good. 

Since that night, I have made it many times and tweaked it to perfection. It’s a go-to meal for me when I’m short on time (because it only takes 30 minutes to make, just like this cashew chicken stir fry and this homemade mac and cheese), but still want to feed my family a hearty, healthy meal!

We actually call this quick chili recipe, “Keilah Chili” since she was born a few short hours after we all enjoyed it! 😉 So It holds a special place in my heart! 

Easy Chili Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions 

One of the great things about this beef chili is that it’s easily customizable! Here are some notes about the ingredients and possible substitutions!

• Ground beef. I like to use lean ground beef (93/7). However I have used 85% lean beef as well. I have also used ground turkey with excellent results.
• Minced garlic. if you don’t have minced garlic on hand, you can substitute garlic powder. Just add it with the rest of the spices. 
• Bell peppers. any color variety of bell pepper works well in this recipe! If you like to add some heat, add some spicier peppers!
• Spice mixture. I have written this recipe with the spice ratios and combination that we love the most. If you change it I cannot guarantee the results! The one thing I will say is that you can add more chili powder, or some cayenne powder to increase the heat if you wish! 
• Fire roasted tomatoes. I love the flavor that the fire roasted tomatoes adds to this recipe (and this sausage gnocchi). You can absolutely substitute regular canned, diced tomatoes as well! 
• Kidney Beans. I use one can of kidney beans because my husband is not a fan of beans so I don’t like to make our chili too “beany.” However you can add another can (2 cans total) if you love beans. You can also use any type of beans you like! My other favorites are black beans, great northern (white) beans, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)!
• Tomato sauce. I always have canned tomato sauce on hand (to make homemade pizza sauce). If you’d like to substitute homemade tomato sauce go for it!
• Corn. Fresh and frozen corn both work well in this chili recipe! 

How to make chili

This beef chili recipe is super easy to make, and I always have all the ingredients on hand! Let’s walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video! 

Make the chili seasoning 

This easy chili recipe doesn’t rely on packaged  seasoning mixes! Instead we make a homemade seasoning blend that can be tweaked according to your own personal preferences! I make ours pretty mild (just like this slow cooker chicken chili) to feed  5 kids (and myself because I am a spice wimp)! So feel free to adjust the heat accordingly. 

Brown the meat 

Once the spice mixture is ready, brown the ground beef with the garlic. Cook it over medium-high heat until it’s mostly browned for the best texture and flavor. 

Drain the fat

Depending on the percentage of fat in your ground beef, you may need to drain the fat off halfway through cooking! 

Add peppers & onions

Once the meat is mostly (but not totally) browned, add the peppers & onions, stir, cover and cook until they are soft!

Add the rest of the ingredients & cook

Next, add the rest of the ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or spice factor according to your preferences. 

If you’re short on time, cook this easy chili recipe on medium heat for 15 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally. If you have a longer, simmer until you’re ready to serve.  The longer the chili is simmered, the more the flavors will meld together. 

Serve

People often ask,  “what can you add to chili?”  Once your chili is finished cooking, gather your favorite fixin’s and get ready to serve! Some of our favorite easy chili additions are: 

• Green onions
• sour cream
• shredded cheddar cheese
• crushed tortilla chips
• cornbread (or cornbread croutons, cornbread muffins or this healthy skillet cornbread)
• pretzel bread (try it and thank me later)

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

To Freeze

• Let it cool to room temperature then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 2 months. 
• To thaw, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator. 
• Reheat in a stockpot over low heat.

Recipe FAQs

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More delicious recipes

• This crockpot chicken chili is one of our all-time favorites. Every time I take a meal to a friend, it’s this chicken chili. 
• We enjoy this turkey chili too!
• Try this slow cooker white bean chicken chili – it’s creamy, cheesy and delicious.
• We love this Slow Cooker Ground Turkey with an Asian flare. It’s delicious served over rice.
• This is the best homemade meatloaf – yum!

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