Literally our favorite Chili recipe – obviously the perfect jumping off point if you want to add your own touch. It’s easily the Best Chili Recipe. We love it.

Ok, so it might not be YOUR perfect Chili recipe, but it is ours. And it’s a GREAT starting off point for any chili base. You can add and take away until your hearts content.

This chili is just spicy enough to be ‘real’ Chili, but consumable by children, so family friendly – which is important in my house.

Easily add peppers, jalapenos or more chili powder to make it a bit spicier. Or go the opposite direction and take away some to make it even milder.

I usually add until its the desired taste. They key to this recipe however is cooking it as long as you can. A nice slow cook. It gives it more flavor.

It’s just fabulous and very easy! Look at that beef, onion and green pepper combo. Sorry about the steam. LOL

Ground Beef Peppers and onions in a skillet cooking

This really does make the Best Chili recipe. You can do what you want to it, too… make it hotter, spicier, milder, add more cheese, veggies, beans, beef, turkey, etc. We sometimes add a tub of sour cream at the end to make it creamier.

recipe highlights

Delicious, satisfying, and comforting: This recipe delivers on flavor! It’s the kind of meal that leaves you feeling happy and content, perfect for a cozy night in or a comforting weeknight dinner.
Fun and easy to make: No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients here! This recipe is designed to be enjoyable and straightforward, so you can have a good time in the kitchen without any stress.
Creates wonderful aromas in your kitchen: Get ready for your kitchen to smell amazing! As this dish cooks, it will fill your home with mouthwatering aromas that will make everyone hungry (in a good way!).
Perfect for sharing with loved ones: This recipe is great for bringing people together. Whether it’s a family dinner or a gathering with friends, it’s a chili recipe that’s best enjoyed in the company of those you care about.
Makes you feel like a culinary rockstar: Even if you’re not a professional chef, this chili recipe will make you feel like one! The clear instructions and delicious results will give you a boost of confidence in the kitchen and have everyone asking for your recipe.

ingredients and substitutions

onion
green pepper
kidney beans – use what you like best, like black beans,
diced tomatoes and green chili’s (like Ro-tel)
ground beef – can substitute ground turkey or shredded or ground chicken – use a lean ground beef for a lower fat option.
tomato paste
chili powder – for more flavor you can add some cayenne pepper too.
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Get the full ingredient list and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.

variations and additions

herbs: cilantro, parsley, dried oregano
beans: kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans,
spices and seasonings: paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, black pepper, a pinch of coriander
flavorings: use fresh cloves garlic, chopped yellow onion, jalapeños, chopped green onions, chopped red bell pepper, red onions,
toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, corn chips,
the secret ingredient: many home cooks like adding a single can of beer to their chili for added flavor. Most of the time you can’t even taste it but it brings out the richness and all the flavors.

Get the full ingredient list and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make the Best Chili

In a skillet brown the ground beef or turkey with a little bit of the chopped onion and some salt and pepper. Drain and remove meat and set aside.

Saute the onions and peppers in the skillet without cleaning it.

In a large stock pot, place the ground turkey and the sauteed peppers and onion. Add tomato sauce and chili powder.

Cook on medium heat for approximately 1 1/2 hours or so. I usually start mine at about 3:00 and we sit down to eat at about 6pm.

This allows it to simmer on the stove about an extra hour (sealing in the flavors).

We had this for dinner tonight, and I think everyone had at least two or three bowls. Yummy!!

What Goes Well With Chili?

That’s such a frequently asked question, we thought we’d provide you some awesome options!

What Sides Go with Chili?

What Desserts go with Chili?

storage tips & leftovers

Short-term storage (3-4 days):

Cool completely: Let your chili cool completely before storing it.
Airtight container: Store it in an sealed airtight container, like a glass dish with a lid or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. This keeps it fresh and stops it from picking up other flavors.
Refrigerate: Store the container in the fridge. Chili is usually good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. After that, it might not taste as good, and it could even be unsafe to eat.

Longer-term storage (2-3 months):

Freezing: Put it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen chili can last for a few months.
Thawing: To thaw it, leave it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.

Additional tips:

If you reheat it on the stove, add a little water or broth if it’s too thick. Stir it often to avoid burning.
Always check the chili before reheating. If it smells or looks weird, throw it away, even if it hasn’t been in the fridge or freezer for very long. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more great recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can search by category, season/holiday or even by ingredient!

Be sure to follow us on Pinterest while you’re here. We love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow us on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog. You can also follow us on Facebook for up to date recipes and other fun things.

See ya soon! xx

PLEASE NOTE:

While we have provided a jump to recipe button, please note that by skipping the copy, you are missing useful information on ingredients and techniques, substitutions, frequently asked questions with responses, tips and a lot more information that might be useful for troubleshooting or making the recipe.

Printable Best Chili Recipe Recipe

Best Chili Recipe

Nicole Cook

This is the perfect basic chili recipe – add more to it, to make it your own.

4.80 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 55

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 217 kcal

Ingredients

1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 cups kidney beans
1 can rotel
1 pounds ground turkey or beef
18 ounces tomato sauce
3 Tablespoons chili powder or more to taste
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a skillet brown the ground turkey with a little bit of the chopped onion and some salt and pepper. Drain and remove meat and set aside.
Saute the onions and peppers in the skillet without cleaning it.
In a large stock pot, place the ground turkey and the sauteed peppers and onion. Add tomato sauce and chili powder. Cook on medium heat for approximately 1 1/2 hours or so – the longer the better.
I usually start mine at about 3:00 and we sit down to eat at about 6pm. This allows it to simmer on the stove about an extra hour (sealing in the flavors).