Need a down-the-pipe, great chili recipe? One that is made with pantry ingredients, is flavorful enough for adults, but not too spicy for kids? Our easy Stovetop Chili checks all the boxes and more. Or try our easy Instant Pot Chili instead.

The BEST Stovetop ChiliPhoto byThriving Home

About This Recipe

This easy, homemade chili recipe originally came from my mother-in-law. It was handed down from her mother!

As with most recipes, adaptations have been made over the years. But, I’m convinced the tweaks and changes have resulted in the BEST Stovetop Chili recipe.

The perks of making chili on the stove are:

• You only use one pot.
• It’s done in 30 minutes from start to finish.
• It makes your home smell amazing.

I’m excited for you to have it in your home to make on a game day alongside our Sweet Potato Cornbread, Veggies with Southwest Ranch Dip, and some Homemade Chex Mix.

Ingredients

Great chili has to have depth of flavor. That doesn’t come with just a few ingredients. Don’t be intimidated by this long list, though. You likely have the majority in your pantry!

Ingredient Notes:

• Ground beef – You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Petite diced tomatoes – You can substitute regular diced or crushed tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes for even more flavor.
• Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

How to Make Stovetop Chili

Chili can be made using several different methods. We use the slow cooker for our Turkey Chili and Steak Chili and the pressure cooker for Easy Instant Pot Chili and Instant Pot Steak Chili. While we love our cookers (I mean we did write a cookbook based around them), today we’re making chili on the stovetop.

Here is a quick overview on how to make chili on the stove.

1. Saute the onions and garlic and brown the ground beef.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Simmer chili.

The BEST Stovetop ChiliPhoto byThriving Home

Topping & Side Dish Ideas

When it comes to what to serve with chili, it feels like the options are endless! Some even go as far as creating a chili bar. However, unless I am serving a group of people, I tend to keep things pretty simple in my house. Here are some fixings that go great with chili.

Topping Ideas:

• Diced avocado
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crushed corn tortilla chips
• Thinly sliced green onions
• Lime wedges, to squeeze on top
• Tip: My friend, Leigh, finely chops baby gherkin pickles and puts them on top. It’s actually really delicious!

Side Dish Ideas:

• Sweet Potato Corn Bread
• Chips and Guacamole

Can You Freeze Chili?

Freezing soups is one of my favorite ways to save my future self time. Chili is no different. Here’s how to make it a freezer meal:

Freeze For Later: Follow Steps 1-3. Freeze the uncooked chili in large freezer bag(s) or container(s). Alternatively, you can fully cook and cool the soup and then freeze.

Prepare From Frozen: Thaw completely. Follow Steps 4-5. If the soup was fully cooked, then all you need to do is thaw it and warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave.

More Chili Recipes

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato and Black Beans

Pumpkin Chili

Slow Cooker Steak Chili

Stovetop Chili

Need a no-brainer, great chili recipe? One that is made with pantry ingredients, is flavorful enough for adults, but not too spicy for kids? Our Stovetop Chili checks all the boxes and more.

Ingredients

• 1–2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef (sub: ground turkey or chicken)
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce*
• 2 cups beef broth (sub: chicken broth)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Optional toppings: tortilla chips, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, lime wedges

*This is canned tomato puree with a little bit of seasoning. Find it next to canned diced tomatoes.

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Instructions

1. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Once the oil is shimmery, add in the onions and saute until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute another 30-60 seconds.
2. Add ground beef to the pot and cook until no more pink is visible. Drain excess fat if desired. (Tip: Place a metal colander over a large bowl and drain the meat. Then discard the cooled grease into the trash later.)
3. Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, tomato sauce, broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, stirring almost constantly, and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly to avoid scorching the bottom.
5. Taste and adjust salt and pepper amounts. Serve warm in bowls topped with your favorite chili toppings.

Freeze For Later:

• Method 1 (Uncooked): Follow Steps 1-3. Freeze the uncooked chili in large freezer bag(s) or container(s).
• Method 2 (Fully Cooked): Fully cook and cool the chili. Place in a large freezer bag or container with lid or divide into 2 cup Pyrex containers or Souper Cubes. Seal and freeze.

Prepare From Frozen:

• Method 1 (Uncooked): Thaw completely. Follow Steps 4-5.
• Method 2 (Fully Cooked):Thaw in the fridge overnight or using the defrost setting on the microwave. Warm it up on the stovetop, in the microwave, or a in slow cooker.

Need a down-the-pipe, great chili recipe? One that is made with pantry ingredients, is flavorful enough for adults, but not too spicy for kids? Our easy Stovetop Chili checks all the boxes and more.

Notes/Tips

• Instant Pot Version: Use this Instant Pot Chili recipe to make this same version in the pressure cooker.
• Slow Cooker Version: If you’d like to make this same recipe in a crock pot, you’ll first need to follow Steps 1 and 2 in the recipe, sauteeing the onions, garlic, and the ground beef in a pot on the stovetop. Add those ingredients along with all the other ingredients from Step 3 to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Want More Soup Recipes

We LOVE equipping you with great soup recipes. Here is a roundup of 10+ of our favorite soups!