The Best Classic Chili Recipe

This easy chili recipe is a favorite at our house. We love to eat it on game nights, cold winter nights, weekends, you name it. This basic chili recipe can be changed to suit your taste. I got my inspiration from The Pioneer Woman chili recipe and adapted it to my family’s preferences and you can too!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Ground beef: I recommend using lean ground beef for a healthier meal
• Onion and garlic: this combo is a must to flavor the ground beef
• Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste: give a rich tomato flavor to the chili
• Spices: chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, cayenne, and a pinch of cinnamon make it irresistible
• Masa harina: is used to thicken the chili. It is a special corn flour used to make corn tortillas. Look for the brand Maseca
• Kidney and pinto beans: these are my beans of choice, but you can use your favorites, just make sure you drain and rinse them well
• Jalapenos: I like to add chopped fresh jalapenos, but green chilies work perfectly too
• Toppings: you can use your favorite toppings, we like sour cream, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions

How do You Make Good Homemade Chili?

To make a great chili beans recipe, follow these simple steps:

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the meat along with the diced onion and minced garlic until there is no pink left on the meat
2. Mix in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (with juice), spices, chopped jalapenos, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 mins
3. In a small bowl or measuring cup, dissolve 2 ½ tablespoons of masa harina in ¼ cup water. Mix it into the chili and simmer until thickened. You can add more if you want a thicker chili
4. Add the drained and rinsed beans and cook for 5 more minutes or until the beans are heated through. Serve with your favorite toppings

Chili toppings:

The best chili bean recipe is the one with your favorite toppings. This is a list of our favorite toppings:

• Shredded cheese (Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or your favorite cheese)
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped red onions
• Chopped jalapenos
• Tortilla Chips
• Sour cream
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Lime juice
• Freshly diced tomatoes
• Sliced black olives
• Cubed avocado

What Goes Well with Chili for Dinner?

I usually start the meal with a Chicken Tortilla Soup Crockpot recipe, or The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup, which my kids simply love!

I also make my Garlic Butter Rice Recipe and scoop the chili on top. A loaf of freshly baked Italian Bread Recipe is also a must to sop up the delicious sauce. For dessert, The Best Lazy Man’s Peach Cobbler is an easy and fast alternative.

Storage:

This easy chili beans recipe is a great make-and-freeze meal. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag and in the freezer for up to 3 months. It also keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container.