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The Ultimate Best Chili Recipe: Easy, Thick & Flavorful Beef Chili

This ultimate chili recipe combines everything you love - it's easy to make, packed with flavorful ground beef and beans, has the perfect thickness, and can be customized to be as mild or as spicy as you like. Whether you're using a crock pot for convenience or prefer the traditional stovetop method, this is truly the best chili recipe you'll ever make.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 lbs ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This helps deepen the flavor. Then add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat everything evenly.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  5. Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 1-2 hours for deeper flavor. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Notes

For thicker chili: Mix 2 tablespoons of masa harina or cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water, then stir into the simmering chili. Let cook for 10 more minutes. For spicier chili: Increase cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon, add 1-2 chopped jalapeños with the onions, or include a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Let chili rest for 15 minutes after cooking for flavors to meld together beautifully.