Chili fans, get ready for the ultimate comfort food! Imagine a hearty bowl packed with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. This best chili recipe is perfect for chilly evenings, game day gatherings, or anytime you crave a cozy, flavorful meal.
Why Make This Recipe
This chili recipe stands out because of its rich flavor, hearty texture, and the perfect mix of spices. It’s simple to make and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, everyone will love this dish. Plus, it makes great leftovers, so you can enjoy it for days!
How to Make The Best Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 pound bacon (chopped into small pieces)
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 medium onions (diced)
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 3-4 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans (drained, not rinsed)
- 2 cups broth (beef broth, bone broth, chicken, vegetable) plus more as needed
- Optional Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, Tabasco sauce
Directions:
Cook the bacon: Add the chopped bacon to a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Once the bacon sizzles, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook low and slow, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is golden, remove the lid and cook until desired doneness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of leftover bacon grease.
Brown the ground beef: Over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon grease back to your Dutch oven, then add the ground beef. Brown the beef and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the beef to a clean plate and set aside.
Cook the onions: Add the remaining tablespoon of bacon grease to your pot and set over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Sprinkle with salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and sugar. Mix well. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and bring to a simmer.
Return the beef and add beans: As soon as your onion and tomato mixture simmers, return the bacon and ground beef to the pot. Stir in the kidney beans and add 2-3 cups of low-sodium broth. Mix well.
Simmer: Allow your chili to simmer for 15-20 minutes before serving. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or spices if needed. If your chili is too thick, add more broth.
Serve: Serve with your favorite toppings, like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and Tabasco sauce, if desired.
How to Serve The Best Chili
Serve your chili hot in bowls and let everyone add their favorite toppings. It pairs well with crusty bread or cornbread on the side for a complete meal.
How to Store The Best Chili
If you have leftovers, let the chili cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm on the stove or microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make The Best Chili
- For extra flavor, use a mix of ground meats like beef and pork.
- Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste.
- If you like it spicier, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Top with fresh herbs, like cilantro, for a fresh touch.
Variation
You can make this chili vegetarian by omitting the bacon and beef and using more beans and vegetables instead. You can also try adding corn or bell peppers for added texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can brown the meat and cook the bacon in a pan first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.
2. How can I thicken my chili?
If your chili is too thin, you can simmer it longer without a lid to allow more liquid to evaporate. Adding a cornstarch slurry (mixing cornstarch with water) can also help thicken it.
3. Can I use different types of beans?
Absolutely! You can use black beans, pinto beans, or any favorite beans you have on hand.
Enjoy making and sharing this delicious chili recipe!
Best Chili
Ingredients
Meat ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 2 pounds ground beef
Vegetable ingredients
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 28-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) plus more as needed
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons tomato paste
Beans
- 2 15-ounce cans red kidney beans, drained, not rinsed
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions
- Tabasco sauce
Instructions
Cooking the Bacon
- Add the chopped bacon to a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Once the bacon sizzles, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid.
- Cook low and slow, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is golden, remove the lid and cook until desired doneness.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of leftover bacon grease.
Browning the Beef
- Over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon grease back to your Dutch oven, then add the ground beef.
- Brown the beef and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the beef to a clean plate and set aside.
Cooking the Onions
- Add the remaining tablespoon of bacon grease to your pot and set over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Sprinkle with salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and sugar. Mix well.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and bring to a simmer.
Combining Ingredients
- As soon as your onion and tomato mixture simmers, return the bacon and ground beef to the pot.
- Stir in the kidney beans and add 2-3 cups of low-sodium broth. Mix well.
Simmering
- Allow your chili to simmer for 15-20 minutes before serving. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or spices if needed.
- If your chili is too thick, add more broth.
Serving
- Serve with your favorite toppings, like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and Tabasco sauce, if desired.
