Easy Chili Recipe

4.96 from 25 votes
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Our Easy Chili Recipe is the fastest way to get hearty chili on the dinner table – made with beef, beans and tomatoes in a rich tomato sauce.

A white bowl of chili on a colorful placemat with a spoon on the side.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Mom’s Cheater Chili Recipe
  2. Make it a Crock Pot Chili Recipe
  3. Ingredients in Easy Chili
  4. “Cheater” Ingredients for a Quick, Easy Chili
  5. What to Serve with Chili
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Chili Recipes
  8. How to Make Mom’s Cheater Chili
  9. Mom’s “Cheater” Chili Recipe Recipe

Mom’s Cheater Chili Recipe

This chili recipe is a family-loved favorite from as far back as I can remember! It’s my dad’s very favorite meal on cool autumn evenings. My mom made it at least once a week during the fall and winter and always on Halloween night. The best thing about this recipe is its simplicity. No soaking or boiling beans, no long, all-day process. This chili comes together quickly, using a couple of “cheater” ingredients that we always have on hand. It tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but cooks up in no time over the stove-top! Delicious on its own with a side of corn bread, or served over Navajo Tacos or chili cheese fries, this is one chili recipe you’ll hang onto for years to come!

A close up photo of chili in a white bowl with a spoon in the bowl of chili.


Make it a Crock Pot Chili Recipe

There’s something so cozy about a pot of soup simmering on the stove during colder months, and this homemade chili recipe is no exception! If you have a bit more time you can throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The spices and smells permeate the kitchen and warm up even the chilliest of days. But if you’re pressed for time, brown up your hamburger, then add the rest of the ingredients to a pot on the stove and then simmer on low until you’re ready to serve. Best chili recipe ever.

Ingredients in Easy Chili

  • ground beef
  • onion – diced
  • canned chili (any brand works)
  • chili beans do not drain
  • diced tomatoes – do not drain
  • tomato juice
  • salt & pepper to taste

Garnishes:

  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • diced onions
  • sour cream

Optional Ingredients

Change up the flavor. Make it your own by subbing out or adding ingredients to your own taste!

  • kidney beans
  • minced garlic
  • green peppers
  • red bell pepper
  • chili powder
  • paprika
  • cumin
  • cayenne pepper
  • crush some saltine crackers or tortilla chips over the top

“Cheater” Ingredients for a Quick, Easy Chili

This ground beef chili recipe cooks up quickly thanks to a can of chili beans (any kind will work great) and a can of pre-made chili (our cheating secret ingredient). You’ll save lots of time by not soaking and cooking chili beans, and I promise you can’t taste the difference! Using a can of chili makes the soup nice and thick, with spices already added. Brown up a pound of ground sirloin or even ground turkey, add a can of tomatoes, and you’ll have a hearty bowl of chili in no time.

Chili in a pot with cheese and sour cream on the side.

What to Serve with Chili

In our family, we like to top a big bowl of chili with diced onions, cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Serve it with a side of our Easy Cake Mix Cornbread. Or spoon it on top of Chili Dogs, Cheese Fries, Nachos, Baked Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, or Navajo Tacos. You can even pour some over our homemade Macaroni and Cheese to made a Chili Mac. You will love how versatile and simple this recipe is!

A bowl of chili with shredded cheese on top with a spoon on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What liquid is best for chili?

If you are making chili from scratch, we prefer beef broth.

What gives chili the best flavor?

Typical spices used in chili include chili powder, garlic, paprika, and cumin.

Read Next: Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes

More Chili Recipes

There are so many variations to a good bowl of chili, you can stay cozy and nourished all winter long! Try a few of our very favorites:

How to Make Mom’s Cheater Chili

Chili in a bowl with shredded cheese on top

Mom’s “Cheater” Chili Recipe

4.96 from 25 votes
Our Easy Chili Recipe is the fastest way to get hearty chili on the dinner table – made with beef, beans and tomatoes in a rich tomato sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Video

Ingredients

GARNISHES:

Instructions

  • In a large pot, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook on medium heat until beef is browned and onion is soft and translucent. Drain excess fat.
    Ground beef and diced onion cooking in a pot
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until everything is heated through.
    Chili in a large pot
  • Top with cheese, onions, sour cream, and any other garnishes you like.
    Chili in a pot with cheese and sour cream on the side

Notes

  • To make this in a CrockPot or slow cooker, simply brown the beef and add all the ingredients to the CrockPot and cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Spoon some chili over other recipes to make a whole new meal! Some ideas are:
  • Chili Dogs
  • Cheese Fries
  • Nachos
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Navajo Tacos
  • Pour some over our homemade Macaroni and Cheese to made a Chili Mac

Nutrition Information

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 14gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 435mgPotassium: 714mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 640IUVitamin C: 85.8mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 3.2mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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4.96 from 25 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. I’m just questioning the 15 ounces chili, is that chili powder? Fresh chili, 15 oz seems like an awful lot?

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing chili recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

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