Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (2024)

Ellen 4 Comments on Easy Chili

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This Easy Chili is ready in just 30 minutes. It’s fast and simple and loaded with beans, beef, chili seasoning, garlic, and onions. This is a classic recipe made simple!

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (2)

Table of Contents

  • A Simple Chili Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love This Homemade Chili
  • What You’ll Need
  • Recipe Variations
  • How to Make This Easy Chili
  • Tips for Success
  • Topping Ideas
  • Can I Freeze Homemade Chili?
  • Get the Recipe

A Simple Chili Recipe

For a long time, the only chili recipes we could find required hours and hours of cooking time. Whether it was on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, the chili always required a slow simmer for at least 4-6 hours. But what about when you don’t have time to simmer but you still want to make a delicious and easy chili?

That got us thinking, can you make an easy chili in under an hour? You sure can. And we are about to give you the recipe! Now, the ingredients don’t differ that much from a chili that is slow-cooked – and that’s ok. The main takeaway here is that these ingredients are simple (and probably already in your kitchen) and there isn’t a lot of them!

This recipe goes to show that you can do a lot with just 30 minutes and a short list of ingredients. All you need is ground beef, beans, onions, garlic, seasonings, and tomato sauce for this recipe. That rich flavor still develops and you’ve made it in a fraction of the time!

Looking for more easy chili recipes? Try out these other reader favorites: Hot Dog Chili, Crockpot Mexican White Chili, and Instant Pot White Chicken Chili!

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (3)

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Chili

First, let’s talk about why this recipe is so great. It easily became a family favorite and here’s why:

  • It’s so quick. We’ve already said this and we’ll say it again. You can decide at 4:30 that you want to make chili and it will be ready by 5 because this recipe just takes 30 minutes to make.
  • This recipe is kid-friendly. Oftentimes kids don’t love chili because it contains a lot of ingredients that they may not like (we’re talking about chipotle peppers, cayenne, etc.). But this recipe has a basic ingredient list that will satisfy everyone’s tastebuds.
  • It’s a one-pot recipe. Not only will the recipe be done in record time, but you also won’t have a big mess to clean up!
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (4)

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make this Easy Chili recipe. The goal is that you don’t have to run to the store for anything!

  • Olive Oil
  • Yellow Onion: White or sweet onions will also work.
  • Garlic: We highly recommend sticking to fresh garlic for this recipe.
  • Ground Beef: We used ground sirloin 90% lean. You can also use ground turkey or even ground chicken!
  • Tomato Sauce: We like to use unsalted so that we can adjust the level of salt ourselves.
  • Water
  • Chili Seasoning: You can use store bought or our favorite Homemade Chili Seasoning!
  • Salt
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: You can add more if you like it spicy.
  • Chili Beans: We love Bush’s chili beans, they add a great layer of flavor to your chili!
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (5)

Recipe Variations

The joy of this recipe is that you can mix up some of the ingredients to make use of what you have in the kitchen already.

  • Try different beans. You can use pinto, white chili beans, black beans, or kidney beans.
  • Use another ground meat. You can also use leaner ground turkey or chicken and save some calories!
  • Use chicken or beef stock instead of water. This will make the flavor richer.
  • Add some heat. If you aren’t feeding little ones, you can add more heat by adding more chili powder, chipotle peppers, or cayenne pepper.
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (6)

How to Make This Easy Chili

You’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes! Here’s how to make this simple dinner recipe.

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (7)
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (8)

First, saute the onions and garlic in a dutch oven. You want to be sure that you cook them to be soft and translucent but not browned.

Then add the meat. Break up the meat while it cooks so that there are not any large chunks.

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (9)
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (10)

Add the seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, water, and tomato sauce. And then let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

Lastly, add the beans. Then simmer for an additional 10 minutes before serving.

Serve the chili warm. And, of course, don’t forget the toppings!

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (11)

Tips for Success

Follow these tips to make sure that your recipe turns out perfectly!

  • Deglaze with water if needed. If you notice that the beef, onions, and/or garlic start sticking to the bottom of the pan, add a little water. When the water hits the hot pan it will help release the stuck-on pieces of food and add more flavor to the dish.
  • If the chili gets too thick: If it gets thick add a little water or beef broth, especially after storing it in the refrigerator.
  • Use lean meat. The chili tends to get greasy when you use meat that has a higher fat percentage.
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (12)

Topping Ideas

We love adding different toppings to our bowls. That’s the fun part! And here are some of our favorite ideas.

  • Shredded Cheese
  • Chopped Onions
  • Sour Cream: Or plain Greek yogurt
  • Jalapenos: Pickled jalapenos would also be great!
  • Cilantro: Or fresh chives or green onions.
  • Avocado
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (13)

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

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

Then you can use a microwave to reheat or you can do it on the stove.

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (14)

Can I Freeze Homemade Chili?

Yes! Freezing this recipe is a great idea. We recommend using freezer-friendly bags so that they can be stored flat in the freezer. This recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (15)

4.4 from 7 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Easy Chili

This Quick and Easy Chili is exploding with flavor and made in 30 minutes with just one pot with easy kitchen stables!

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time25 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons chili seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 27 oz can chili beans (do not drain or rinse)

Optional Toppings:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Chopped onions
  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeños
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven or large deep sided pot add oil and sauté onion for 2 minutes, add garlic and sauté 2 more minutes.

  • Add ground beef and simmer over medium heat, break up any large pieces of meat (if there is a lot of grease from the meat drain it before going further).

  • Add tomato sauce, chili seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes, continue simmering 20 minutes.

  • Add chili beans, stir and simmer 10 more minutes.

  • Serve warm with all your favorite toppings.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. This recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 838kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 67g, Fat: 54g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 29g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 212mg, Sodium: 1291mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 6g

© Ellen

Cuisine: American

Category: 30 Minutes Or Less

More Cozy Chili & Soup Recipes

  • Beef Tips and Gravy
  • Instant Pot Taco Soup
  • Chili Mac
  • Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup
  • Loaded Potato Soup
Easy Chili Recipe | Best Classic Beef Chili with Beans in 30 minutes! (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Best Herbs And Spices For Chilli Con Carne
  • Smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is an essential spice in any chilli recipe. ...
  • Ground cumin. It's hard to imagine Mexican chilli con carne without cumin. ...
  • Garlic powder. ...
  • Onion powder. ...
  • Oregano. ...
  • Marjoram. ...
  • Ground coriander. ...
  • Chilli powder.

What makes homemade chili better? ›

When making chili, don't forget to load up on veggies for an added layer of flavor and texture. Some classic options include fresh garlic, bell peppers, and onions. The vegetables will add a noticeable crunch and pop of color to your recipe. Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil or parsley can also enhance the flavor.

Do you need beef broth for chili? ›

Beef Broth: Provides liquid and enhances the beefy flavor of the chili. Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: Adds a rich tomato flavor and contributes to the chili's thick texture. Molasses: Offers a touch of sweetness to balance the heat and spices.

Can I simmer chili for 2 hours? ›

Add diced tomatoes, tomato juice, ketchup, beans, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and cayenne. Simmer: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, then reduce the heat and simmer over medium-low heat for at least one hour, or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

What is the secret to perfect chili? ›

Cook it long enough

Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.

How to deepen chili flavor? ›

Just a few tablespoons of cocoa powder (or even a few squares of a dark chocolate bar) can give your pot of chili that extra level of depth you've been searching for. Cocoa has a rich and creamy mouthfeel and can give your chili a nutty, floral, and even raisin-like flavor.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Does chili need tomato paste or tomato sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is ready to use with pasta, chili, and other tomato based or topped meals. Tomato puree is ready to season yourself, but it is already nice and thick and will not have to be cooked down. Tomato paste is a great option to thicken up sauces and gravies.

Why do you put celery in chili? ›

Stirring it in with the spices, onion, celery, and garlic ensures it breaks up as it cooks slowly. There's yet another slow step in this recipe, coming after the tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers and beans have been added: make sure to stir your pot every so often over the next two hours.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!

When to add sour cream to chili? ›

Stir in beans, chicken broth, green chiles, salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended, about 30 minutes. Remove chili from heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream until incorporated. Serve hot and enjoy!

Should you simmer chili with the lid on or off? ›

For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot. You want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

What are the most common spices used in Chile? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

How do you increase the spice in chili? ›

Add more jalapenos or maybe consider trying other spicier peppers – like serrano or poblanos.

What makes chilli more spicy? ›

The compound that gives chilies most of their fiery temperament is capsaicin (pronounced cap-SAY-sin). Although many people think the seeds are responsible, that's not strictly true. Capsaicin is most abundant in the “placenta” — a spongy, white membrane inside the chili where the seeds are attached.

What compound makes chili spicy? ›

The “hot” in hot peppers is due to capsaicin (C18H27NO3), a colorless, odorless oil-like compound found in the fruit of a plant that is a close relative of the tomato. Capsaicin is primarily found in the membrane that holds the seeds.

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