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Classic Chilli | Easy American Stovetop Recipe

October 22, 2023
Milli
Classic Chilli Recipe
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There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of classic chilli to comfort your soul and satisfy your taste buds. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or feeding a hungry crowd, this easy homemade chilli recipe is a go-to for a reason. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comes together without any fuss.

Why You Will Love This Easy Chili Recipe

This chilli recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. With minimal ingredients and just a single pot, it’s a fuss-free way to create a satisfying meal. Ground beef, beans, and a medley of spices simmer together to create a rich, comforting flavour in every bite. The best part? It’s incredibly customizable. You can adjust the spice level, switch up the protein, or sneak in extra veggies for a nutritious twist.

Making Delicious Chilli Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients for Chilli Recipe

  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces each)
  • 1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces)
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is cooked and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the diced onion, garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeño pepper (if using) to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the onions are softened and the peppers are slightly tender.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rinsed kidney beans to the pot. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the chilli powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the pot and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and let the chilli simmer for another 10-20 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened and the flavours have melded together. If the chilli is too thick, add a bit of water to thin it out.
  7. Serve the chilli hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy!
Classic Chilli Recipe

Classic Home made Chilli Recipe

A classic chilli recipe that's perfect for a cozy night or dinner with friends. Warm up with this hearty and flavorful chili recipe, packed with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. This easy homemade chilli is perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or meal prep. Ready in under an hour, it’s a comforting dish the whole family will love. Learn how to make the best classic chili from scratch!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 498 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper diced
  • 1 medium jalapeno deseeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
  • 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz
  • 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is cooked and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
  • Add the diced onion, garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeño pepper (if using) to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the onions are softened and the peppers are slightly tender.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rinsed kidney beans to the pot. Stir to combine.
  • Add the chilli powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the pot and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • After 30 minutes, remove the lid and let the chilli simmer for another 10-20 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened and the flavours have melded together. If the chilli is too thick, add a bit of water to thin it out.
  • Serve the chilli hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Please note that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 29gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 1069mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2845IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 6mg
Keyword chilli, Chilli Recipe, Classic Chilli Recipe, Ground Beef, kidney beans, soup
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tips and Variations

Want to take your chilli up a notch? Here are a few easy ways to enhance the flavour:

  • Add corn, or zucchini for extra texture and nutrients.
  •  Replace half the tomatoes with beef or vegetable broth for a deeper flavour.
  • Add a dash of hot sauce if you love the heat.
  • Add brown sugar to round out the flavour beautifully.
  • Chilli tastes even better the next day, so it’s great for meal prep.
  • Leftovers can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
  • Serve over rice, with cornbread, or use as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos
  • This classic chilli recipe serves 6-8 people and can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd. It also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy it for dinner later in the week. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

This delicious homemade chilli is a true crowd-pleaser, and you can easily tailor it to your family’s preferences.

Conclusion

This easy and delicious chilli recipe proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s hearty, full of flavour, and endlessly customizable. Perfect for cold nights, game day, or any day you crave something warm and filling.

When it comes to serving classic chilli, there are plenty of options. Some like to top their chilli with shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced avocado. Others prefer a side of bread or tortilla chips. Whatever your preference, enjoy your classic chilli with family and friends!

Give it a try and let your kitchen fill with the irresistible aroma of homemade chilli. Don’t forget to leave a comment or share your favourite chilli twists!

You May Also Like Our Soup Recipes:

  • Simple and Delicious Chicken Soup
  • White Bean Soup
  • Yellow Lentil Soup
  • Amazing Butternut Squash Soup

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based crumble work well as substitutes without major changes to the method.

2. What can I use if I don’t have kidney beans on hand?

Black beans and pinto beans or a mixture of both make great alternatives while keeping the same hearty texture.

3. How do I make this chilli spicier or milder?

Add extra jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for more heat, or skip the jalapeño entirely for a milder version.

4. Can this chilli be made in a slow cooker instead?

Yes, brown the beef first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours for deeper flavor.

5. How long does leftover chilli last, and can it be frozen?

It keeps in the fridge for about 4 days, and freezes well in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Milli
About Devine Dishes A lifelong love of cooking, one delicious recipe at a time. Welcome to Devine Dishes! I'm so glad you're here. I'm the cook, recipe creator, and food lover behind this little corner of the internet. Born and raised in Kenya, my love for cooking started when I was very young. Even as a child, I would happily volunteer to cook for the family, leaving the dishes and laundry for my siblings. Looking back, I think I had already discovered my passion and a clever way to avoid some chores! 😜 Where My Love for Cooking Began In high school, I chose Home Science and quickly discovered that baking was something I truly enjoyed. I went on to win awards in provincial school baking competitions for three consecutive years. Those were incredibly proud moments for me, and I loved the feeling of creating something delicious with my own hands. But not everyone saw cooking the way I did. I still remember the day my chemistry teacher laughed out loud in class after I received one of my baking medals. He told me I was wasting my time with cooking and that I should focus on the sciences, which would give me a better future than cookies and cakes. It was an embarrassing moment, especially as a student who was proud of something she had worked hard to achieve. But I didn't stop cooking. That experience stayed with me, not because it changed my passion, but because it reminded me that sometimes you have to believe in yourself even when others don't understand your dreams. From Cooking for Family to Building a Food Business Over the years, my love for cooking has taken me on quite a journey. I've explored different food business ideas, from cooking and selling chapatis and mandazis to catering, meal preparation, and delivery. Each experience taught me something new about food, business, and the joy of sharing a good meal with others. Today, I'm excited to bring that passion to food blogging. Devine Dishes is a place where I share the recipes I love, the ones I'm learning, and the ones I can't wait for you to try. You'll find African and Kenyan favorites, comforting family meals, delicious baking recipes, and practical dishes that make cooking at home enjoyable. My goal is simple: to help you discover recipes that are delicious, approachable, and worth making again. More Than Just Recipes For me, food has always been about more than feeding people. It's about family, memories, creativity, and bringing people together. When I'm not working, you'll often find me trying out new recipes, creating and editing content, or spending time with family. Sometimes we're swimming, watching TV, or simply chatting over a good meal. Those ordinary moments are some of my favorite moments. I also love traveling and discovering new places, cultures, and foods. I'm hoping to do much more of it in the near future, and I'm excited about the inspiration those experiences will bring to my cooking and future recipes. Thank You for Being Here Whether you're visiting Devine Dishes for a Kenyan recipe, looking for something delicious to bake, or simply exploring new meals to try, thank you for being part of this journey. Every recipe shared here is a little piece of my love for cooking, my experiences, and the belief that it's never too late to pursue something you're passionate about. I hope you find something delicious, make wonderful memories around your table, and come back often. Happy cooking! With love, Milli The heart behind Devine Dishes

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1 Comment. Leave new

  • Hafsa
    August 31, 2026 5:57 am

    5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious and comforting! Perfect for a hearty homemade meal. 😍🍲

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Tags: best chili recipe for game day, budget-friendly family chili dinner, classic beef and bean chili for cold nights, easy homemade chili recipe with ground beef, gluten-free chili with no flour, healthy chili with lean ground beef, hearty chili recipe with canned beans, quick one-pot chili for weeknight dinner, slow cooker chili for meal prep, spicy chili recipe with jalapeños

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Devine Dishes is a food blog celebrating the flavors of African and Kenyan cuisine, with a delicious variety of recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world. From comforting family meals to easy baking ideas, we share approachable recipes to inspire your next meal. Read more

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