This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
Rich, hearty, and loaded with flavor, this beef chili recipe is just the thing for game day, a casual get-together, or a cozy night in.
This beef chili recipe is my absolute go-to. It’s everything you want in a classic ground beef chili: rich, hearty, and full of flavor, with just the right amount of spice. A combination of warm spices, tomatoes, and ground beef simmers low and slow until the flavors meld and the chili is thick and satisfying. It’s perfect for a chilly evening, game day, or feeding a crowd, and it tastes even better the next day.
I make my chili without beans because my kids aren’t fans, but you can easily add them if you like. You’ll find instructions below, along with tips for adjusting the heat to suit your crowd.
“We’re Texans and love your chili! It is so well flavored without being hot…Thank you for another great recipe!”
What You’ll Need To Make Beef Chili
- Ground beef & baking soda: I recommend 85% lean ground beef. Baking soda helps the meat retain moisture and brown more readily, keeping it tender during the long simmer.
- Onion, garlic & red bell pepper: Form the aromatic base of the chili. I mince them fairly finely so they practically melt into the sauce as it simmers.
- Spices & herbs: Ancho and chipotle chile powders, cumin, oregano, coriander, and smoked paprika give the chili its smoky flavor. A little cinnamon is optional; it adds warmth without making the chili taste like dessert.
- Beef broth: Adds savory depth and reinforces the beefy flavor of the chili.
- Crushed tomatoes & tomato paste: Give the chili its tomato base; the paste adds extra richness and helps create a thick consistency.
- Cornmeal: A small amount thickens the chili as it simmers without making it heavy.
- Molasses: Optional, but a little helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat of the chiles.
- Lime juice: Stirred in at the end to add acidity and brighten the rich, slow-cooked flavors.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Adding Beans & Adjusting the Heat
To add beans: Rinse and drain one or two cans of kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans, then stir them into the chili during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
For a milder chili: Cut back on the chipotle chile powder, which supplies much of the heat. Ancho chile powder is milder, with an earthy, slightly fruity flavor. You can always add a little cayenne toward the end if you decide you’d like more kick.
How To Make Chili
Prep the beef: Toss the ground beef with the salt, baking soda, and water, then let it sit while you prepare the vegetables.
Prep the veggies: Finely mince the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a food processor, or chop them by hand. Pulse in short bursts so you don’t turn them into a purée.
Cook the vegetables and brown the beef: Cook the veggies until softened, then add the beef. Break it up as it cooks, but leave some larger pieces rather than crumbling it too finely—you want the chili to have some texture. Cook until the beef is nicely browned.
Add the spices and simmer: Stir in the ancho and chipotle chile powders, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon, if using, and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the cornmeal, broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and molasses, if using, then simmer gently, covered, for about 2 hours. Skim off excess fat and stir in the lime juice. If the chili needs thickening, simmer uncovered a little longer; if it’s too thick, add a splash of water.
Enjoy with toppings of your choosing (cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, cheese, and/or scallions).
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
Like most chilis, this one tastes even better the next day, so it’s a great make-ahead meal.
- Refrigerate: Divide the chili into shallow containers and refrigerate promptly. Cover and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Individual portions are handy for lunches or an easy dinner.
- Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then reheat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until bubbling throughout. Add a splash of water if it has thickened too much.
Video Tutorial
Classic Beef Chili
Ingredients
- 2½ lb 85% lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion (or 2 small), minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, minced
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, (optional, for a sweeter chili)
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon molasses, such as Grandma’s Original (optional, for a sweeter chili)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from 1 lime
For Serving (optional)
- Cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, cheese, scallions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt, baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of water. Using your hands, mix until evenly combined. Let the beef mixture sit on the counter for 20 minutes.
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch (6-mm) pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes. The beef will release a lot of liquid—do not drain it; you'll skim the fat off at the end.
- Add the ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon (if using); cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until well combined and fragrant.
- Stir in the cornmeal, broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and molasses (if using); bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
- Skim any excess fat off the surface of the chili. There will be quite a bit; don't worry about getting all of it, as it adds flavor.
- Stir in the lime juice, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. For a thinner chili, you can add a bit of water. To thicken the chili, continue simmering, uncovered, until desired consistency is reached.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
What To Serve With Chili
Warm cornbread is my first choice for soaking up the sauce, and tortilla chips, guacamole, and cowboy caviar are great for snacking while the chili simmers.
And don’t forget the toppings! Set out shredded cheddar, sour cream, sliced scallions, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges so everyone can finish their bowl just how they like it.
More Chili Recipes You’ll Love
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Does salt affect anything but the taste? You’ve sold me on the need for baking soda to ensure moist hamburger, but I have to reduce total sodium given hubby’s heart condition. We’ve gotten used to the taste of un- or under-salted food and guests know to add their own salt.
Hi, the salt won’t impact anything other than the taste so feel free to reduce as needed. 🙂
Excellent. This is our new favorite chili. Perfect consistency and flavor. Thank you.
Does it really need to cook for 2 hours? Thanks. Most other recipes seem to be ready in an hour or less unless using dried beans.
Hi Justin, While technically, the chili will be cooked before two hours time, simmering it, low and slow helps to thicken the texture and deepen the flavors, so for the best results, I’d recommend sticking with that.
I really like this chili no matter what name you put on it 😉.
Love to hear from folks that screwed with the recipe by adding beans. I’m thinking of Pinto Beans myself. I going to rinse the beans and add one can the first time around, and then add another if I think I’d prefer it that way. I’m going to start by putting the beans in for in for the last half an hour and see if that’s enough.
Sure would like to hear some advice in advance…
Hi Michael, I think that pinto beans are a great option for chili. You actually can put them in just for the last few minutes of cooking time so they get heated through. Hope that helps!
We’re Texans and love your chili! Try this! It is so well flavored without being hot. The hint of cinnamon and molasses balance out the spice. ❤️ Thank you for another great recipe!
Oh no. I don’t have molasses. Should I run out and get it or is their a sub?
Hi Amy, It’s totally fine to leave it out. If you’d like a little sweetness, a pinch or two of sugar will work.
I always substitute light brown sugar for the molasses. I don’t like the strong flavor of molasses, but the thing that makes brown sugar brown IS molasses. So I get the subtle sweetness without being overpowering (for my palate.) Try some brown sugar!
Hi Jenn! This is one of my very favorite chili recipes – it is delicious! This weekend, I will be making it for a group of hungry college kids and want to double the recipe. How will that change the cooking time? Thanks so much – I just LOVE your blog and both of your cookbooks!
So glad you enjoy it, Jill! I think the cook time should be about the same, maybe 15 to 20 min longer. I would just cook it til the consistency looks right and the meat is nice and tender.
One of my winter ‘go to’ recipes- my guys love it. Two are allergic to beans so when I first tried it and they loved it, well, there just isn’t a better feeling. Thanks so much Jen. You always come through!
Hi Jenn,
I’ve always used a chili mix before, but never again. This was yummy, just the perfect balance of spices. I usually like things on the very spicy side, but I followed your recipe exactly. Delish as is.
My friends that I shared some with now want the recipe, even my friend that doesn’t cook.
Thanks again for another superb recipe.
Outstanding recipe, as always, Jenn. Like many other followers, I added beans and upped the spice level, but that’s just about personal preferences. In my opinion, the ancho and chipotle chili powders, and the cumin, are essential. My new go-to chili recipe. Thanks for a keeper.
I should have known that this recipe would be just plain awful: who puts chili over rice (gross)
uses vegetable oil, cinnamon, no beans?? I had to keep adding more chili powder and other spices..it is bland..I added kidney beans to try to salvage it.
I’ve been making and eating chili this way for 25 years: no beans and served over rice. I like to kick up the heat and top it with some sour cream. The rice and sour cream both temper the heat. I haven’t made this specific recipe yet but I prefer this style. Different strokes. Bon Apetit!
Gail..
what a way with words. You come across as so angry.
BTW, depending on where in the U.S. you live, it is not uncommon for chili to be served over rice. I don’t care for it, but it is popular in various regions.
But back to the chili, perhaps you missed a step or your chili powder wasn’t fresh.
This is very, very good chili!
Maybe try it again….good luck.
Lisa
Gail,
For those with ulcerative colitis, and perhaps other medical issues, beans are a GI nightmare!! We loved finding a recipe without beans and complex flavorings.
As with any recipe, tweak it to your liking.
Good grief Gail. If you want beans in your chili, then add them. If you don’t want it served over rice, then don’t serve it over rice. If you knew this recipe was so “awful” why did you make it? My guess is that you just wanted something to complain about.
Very adaptable chili. And the tenderizing method was a game changing tip!