Easy Chili Recipe made in under hours with just 5 ingredients! This simple and flavorful easy chili recipe made on the stove will be perfect for any family dinner.
I got this recipe from my family’s cook book titled “The Ronnald Rose Family Favorite Recipes” that my grandparents published back in 2006 and gave out as Christmas presents to our family members that same year. I can remember eating a bowl or two of this hearty chili during cool, crisp autumn evening dinners back when I was growing up. Now I am happy to be sharing this recipe with you and hope your family enjoys it as much as mine has!
Ingredients needed to make Easy Chili Recipe
– Ground Beef: I am partial to a high quality ground beef, the least amount of fat possible. Any type will do, the higher quality though the better the taste.
– Medium Red Onion: I like the flavor the red onion provides, but if you have a white onion at home that will work great too.
– Diced Tomatoes: I make this recipe using canned diced tomatoes, however, you can use fresh if you have a garden full of them.
– Chili Powder: There is no way to go wrong with the spice chili powder provides, any brand that you have on hand is perfect.
– Chili Beans: I am a fan of any type of Bush’s brand of beans, they are delicious and never disappoint. Again, any brand will work for this recipe, don’t get hung up on brand names.
– Salt and Pepper: Nice and easy ingredients on hand!
How to make this hearty Home Style Chili recipe
To make this easy, hearty Home Style Chili recipe you will only need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. First in a large skillet, combine the ground beef, chopped up onion and salt and pepper.
Once the ground beef is browned, add in half of the chili powder and mix thoroughly.
In a large pot add the chili beans. The family recipe calls for chopping the beans, I skipped this and left them whole. That is my preference, you can chop the chili beans first if that’s what you prefer.
Add the ground beef mixture and diced tomatoes to the beans in the large pot. Mix all of the ingredients well and cook over medium heat. Once the chili starts to simmer, turn heat down to low. Let the chili simmer for about thirty minutes, then stir and taste.
If you prefer, this is the time you would add more chili powder to your taste. My wife and I like a little more heat to our chili so we always add the rest of the chili powder. If you do choose to add any more of the chili powder, continue to simmer chili for another fifteen minutes.
Once the chili is done, serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle (or two or three of cheese). Enjoy!!
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes of course! You can use whatever type of ground meat you and your family prefer. I have made this chili recipe with ground beef, pork and turkey. There is no need to alter the cooking times if you are substituting a different ground meat, just follow the instructions as is.
Easy Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 medium Red Onion chopped
- 2 15 oz. cans of Diced Tomatoes
- 1 - 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 16 oz. cans of Chili Beans
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ - 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef, chopped onion, salt and pepper in a skillet. Once browned, drain and add 1 tablespoon of the chili powder, mix thoroughly.
- In a large pot, add the chili beans. Add the meat mixture and diced tomatoes to the beans and mix well. Cook over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Turn heat down to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes of simmering, add more chili powder to your taste. If you added more chili powder, continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve warm, with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Love this Chili recipe? Try these other stew recipes!
- Butternut Squash Stew Recipe
- Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Stew Recipe
- Crockpot Beef Chili Recipe
- French Onion Tomato Soup Recipe
- Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe
What is a good side dish to go with this chili recipe?
My family and I love to serve our chili with a side of cornbread. We like it topped with some melted butter and honey, it makes for a delicious side dish. My wife will even put a small piece of cornbread in her bowl and then scoop her chili over the bread and then top it with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle or two of cheese. Other options you may want to try are rice, french fries or even tater tots. Who doesn’t love chili cheese fries?
Can I freeze any leftover chili?
Yes, if stored properly you can definitely keep any leftover chili in the freezer. This is actually a perfect recipe to enjoy for dinner one night and freeze leftovers for another dinner night. Make sure you store your leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc style freezer bag. If stored properly, you can keep your leftovers frozen for a couple months. I have seen some people store it for longer, but I would err on the side of caution and wouldn’t freezer for more than a couple months. If you are going to store leftovers in your refrigerator, I would not keep it in there for more than three to four days.
What to do when Crockpot Chili is too spicy
It is totally okay if your chili gets too spicy! My kids have different spiciness tolerance levels, so I have had to find ways to make this Easy Chili Recipe less spicy after it’s been made.
First, try adding more beans. Adding more beans dilutes the spiciness and is a big plus if your kids are bean lovers like mine.
Second trick, add milk. It makes the chili creamier, and totally pulls back the spiciness level of the chili, and usually any other spicy dish. Add a small amount at a time and taste test as you go.
Also, adding sour cream or cheese is my favorite way to dilute spice. I add sour cream and cheese to my chili anyway, but that’s just because I love the taste! However, if you find you chili’s spiciness level got too out of hand, just add some extra sour cream and cheese and it will totally take it down a notch.
Lastly, the sugar in ketchup will take the spice right out of the chili, so it you have no more options, it’ll work.
What to do when my Homemade Chili is too thick
Adding beef broth is the best way to thin chili. I suggest not adding water; it will take the flavor right out of your delicious dish. I prefer to add beef broth, but you can add vegetable broth if you prefer.
Easy Chili Recipe made in under hours with just 5 ingredients! This simple and flavorful easy chili recipe made on the stove will be perfect for any family dinner.
SANDRA WEIDNER says
This is a recipe that I grew up on in the 50’s and 60’s, in the midwest, exact same one. Only in the Mid west, spaghetti is added to it,
Alison says
Sandra, I’m going to have to try that!
Ashley F says
I love classic recipes like this but love it even more because it only takes a few ingredients! It’s so good!
Suzy says
We needed something easy and quick! This totally hit the spot! Thanks for the great recipe!
Deven says
Can i substitute tomato paste for the diced? My guys are big tomato fans. If so how much?
Jessica says
I’d add in the diced tomatoes AND put in oh, 2 TBSP tomato paste.