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The best chili recipe you’ll ever eat is right here! Our classic beef chili is made with ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, homemade chili seasoning, and our secret ingredient – a little maple syrup.
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5-Star Chili Recipe
So many of you have made this chili recipe and it has OVER 1,000 5-star reviews. It is hands-down our most popular chili recipe on Fit Foodie Finds and we can’t wait for you to make it!
If you’re looking for a 5-star, award-winning chili recipe –> it’s right here! We’ve won multiple chili bake-off contests with this tried-and-true recipe and it’s truly the best chili recipe ever.
Cook ground beef in a large stockpot with onion, garlic, beans, chili seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and our secret ingredient –> a little maple syrup.
Made with Classic Chili Ingredients
There’s a big debacle on the internet about whether classic chili has beans or no beans. In my opinion, the best chili recipe is a base of ground beef, tomato, spices, and BEANS. I love the number of fiber beans add to this dish and I promise you won’t regret adding them.
- Ground beef: The star of the show here is ground beef. I’ll give you one secret, the fat in your beef matters! We’re big fans of 80% or 85% fat because that little bit of fat adds so much flavor. If you go any leaner, you risk compromising flavor and texture.
- Tomatoes: One of the reasons I love chili is because it’s made with tomato products. Thick, creamy, and so delicious. This recipe calls for 3 different kinds: tomato sauce (gives this recipe a delicious tomato flavor), diced tomatoes (adds great texture) , tomato puree (helps to thicken and intensify the flavors)
- Beans: While some traditional beef chili does not call for beans, we like to up the ante a little bit in the nutrition department and include 2 different variations to make this the most epic chili beans recipe. Pinto beans and kidney beans add texture and fiber to this beef chili recipe.
- Chili seasoning: Do yourself a favor and make your own chili seasoning. I promise you the flavor is better AND there isn’t any added junk. Try our homemade chili seasoning and keep a batch in your cabinet at all times.
homemade chili seasoning ingredients
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Ground pepper
#1 Secret Ingredient for THE BEST CHILI RECIPE
Every chili needs a little bit of sugar in some form to bring out all of the savory flavors from the chili seasoning. Our classic chili recipe calls for a little bit of maple syrup. It’s warm, unrefined, and absolutely delightful.
Don’t have maple? Swap it with some brown sugar or even some honey.
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Chili 101
What is the best secret ingredient for chili?
The best secret ingredient for chili is a little bit of sugar. Whether you use white sugar, brown sugar, or my favorite, maple syrup, a little bit of sugar will bring out all of the savory spices of your chili.
Does traditional chili have beans?
Traditionally, chili used to be served without beans, but in my opinion, it’s so much better with beans!
How do you make chili more flavorful?
o make chili more flavorful, we suggest using more homemade chili seasoning. We always recommend making your own spice blend at home because you can really control the flavor that way. Other ways to add more flavor include: more salt, more heat (diced jalapeño, hot sauce, or green chiles), or add a jar of salsa.
What are good chili toppings?
Good chili toppings include shredded cheese, green onion, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Fritos, tortilla chips, and chives.
How do you make chili spicy?
How do you make chili spicy? To make this beef chili spicy, you can add a few tablespoons of diced jalapeños, poblano peppers, or green chiles. You can even add a few tablespoons of hot sauce.
What can I use instead of ground beef in chili?
Ohhhh, if you must! Yes, ground chicken or turkey both work for this recipe. We’ve even made this chili recipe with a plant-based ground to make it vegetarian.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
Variations
One great thing about chili is that it’s so versatile! You can really use any ground meat (or no ground meat at all). All variations of beans are up for grabs and if you like it spicy, add some vinegar-based hot sauce or diced jalapeños.
You can also make this recipe in the crockpot or Instant Pot.
- Slow Cooker Directions: partially cook the beef on the stove. Then, transfer all ingredients in your slow cooker and mix. Cook on low for around 4 hours. Check out our slow cooker chili recipe.
- Instant Pot Directions: add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and mix. Cover and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Check out our Instant Pot chili recipe.
Topping Ideas
In my opinion, chili isn’t chili without the toppings! I’ll share what we at our bowl of chili with and some other ideas.
- shredded cheese
- chips – tortilla or Fritos
- green onions
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- chives
- hot sauce
Check it out!
Best Chili Mac and Cheese
Chili mac and cheese might be the best dinner of all time. Make it once and eat it all week long. Bonus, it’s kid-friendly and protein-packed! PS: the base of this chili mac is made from this beef chili recipe!
Leftover Chili Ideas
Got leftovers? Here are a few ideas on how to repurpose this recipe:
Chili Baked Potatoes: Top either a baked potato or baked sweet potato with leftover chili and shredded cheese.
Chili Nachos: Are you a fan of nachos just like us? Place a bag of tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Then, top with leftover chili, shredded cheddar cheese, and other nachos toppings.
Chili Mac and Cheese: It doesn’t get much better than combining 2 of your favorite things into 1 dish. That’s exactly what we did in our Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
How do I store beef chili?
Store beef chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To reheat: Either place multiple servings of the beef chili back into the stockpot and heat over medium heat until boiling or place 1 serving of chili into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Great Jones
The Dutchess
This is hands-down our favorite Dutch oven. It’s a 6.75 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven that’s super high-quality and gorgeous.
Can I freeze this chili recipe?
Beef Chili is the perfect chili recipe to freeze! We wrote an entire post on how to freeze soup and it works the exact same way for chili.
- Let your beef chili cool completely.
- Then, transfer it into an airtight container or freezer-safe gallon-size bag.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
We recommend freezing in a freezer-safe gallon-size bag or freezer-safe storage container. Make sure that you remove as much air as possible before sealing.
To thaw + reheat: let thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, transfer back into a large stockpot and heat over low/medium.
Best Chili Recipe
The best chili recipe you’ll ever eat is right here! Our beef chili is made with ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and a homemade chili seasoning.
Prep:15 minutes minutes
Cook:30 minutes minutes
Total:45 minutes minutes
Fat 14
Carbs 38
Protein 24
Yield: 6
Print Rate
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef we used 15% fat
- 1/2 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 15-oz. can pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz. can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup beef broth chicken broth or water works too
Optional toppings
- shredded cheddar cheese
- Fritos
- green onion
Instructions
First, heat a large stockpot over medium/high heat.
Then, add ground beef, yellow onion, and minced garlic and sauté for 7-10 minutes or until beef is fully browned.
Next, add pinto beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and maple syrup to the pot and stir to combine.
Add spices and 1 cup of broth and stir to combine.
Bring beef chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Nutrition information is for 6 servings and does not include toppings.
Watch It
Nutrition facts
Calories: 367kcal Carbohydrates: 38g Protein: 24g Fat: 14g Fiber: 11g Sugar: 11g
Author: Lee Funke
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About Lee Funke
Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.
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Tiffany
Posted on 12/7/2023
I love adding brown suger instead of syrup! Great recipe!!
Reply
Beth G
Posted on 11/30/2023
Do I only use 1 cup of broth. Even though I am tripling the recipe ?
Last edited 15 days ago by Beth G
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Kristi
Posted on 11/28/2023
Hi, I’ll be making this tonight, but I was wondering if I can make it in the crockpot?
1
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Annhastasia
Posted on 11/30/2023
Reply to Kristi
Scroll up. She tells you how to do it.
Reply
Nicole
Posted on 11/13/2023
Great recipe! My family loved it. I want to try it with stew meat next time. Anyone ever do that?
1
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Ashley M
Posted on 11/3/2023
For 4 years I’ve been trying to make a chilli for my boyfriend that even comes close to his grandmas. We don’t have the recipe so I was just trying a bunch of best chilli recipes online. He didn’t like any of them. This one he is happy and said it was absolutely perfect! The only thing I did was leave out the maple syrup because he hates anything tasting sweet. I’m going to add it to mine though because I love sweet chilli. He even made me send him the recipe so he could tell all his friends to use it because they apparently make terrible chilli lol. Thank you for making this finally happen. He is walking around in the best mood ever now and he was in a bad mood all day. Love it!
2
Reply
Posted on 11/12/2023
Reply to Ashley M
SOOOOOO glad this was a winner for you! I have a feeling you could change your b/f’s mind with the maple! It really makes it even better.
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Melanie
Posted on 11/1/2023
This recipe was the recipe I’ve been looking for all my life… I made it on Halloween and eating as leftovers right now and it’s even better today than it was last night. The maple syrup really was the game changer, and everyone was going back for seconds! 🙂
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Reply
Posted on 11/12/2023
Reply to Melanie
The maple, right?!
Reply
Ashley
Posted on 10/31/2023
I followed the recipe exactly and it is extremely spicy. Is it really suppose to be 3 tablespoons of chili powder?
Reply
Posted on 11/12/2023
Reply to Ashley
Hi! It shouldn’t be spicy at all. Chili powder is very mild. I’m wondering if yo used a hot chili powder or something like that!
1
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Jill
Posted on 10/29/2023
I won the best chili at my church’s trunk or treat! It really is award winning chili! Thanks for the great recipe!
1
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Chelsea
Posted on 10/25/2023
It was a rainy, overcast day here and I’d pulled out some ground beef to make tacos, but had a sudden hankering for chili. Found this recipe, and it was an absolute home run! My husband went back for seconds and told me to add it to the rotation, which is seriously high marks. I used Pinto and Black beans because that’s just what we had on hand. The flavor profile in this chili makes it really versatile, and I liked how I didn’t feel overly heavy or gross after eating it. 10/10, will make this again!
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Mandi
Posted on 10/21/2023
Delicious! Only thing I changed was 2 cans of kidney instead of pinto beans.
For anyone that says that the one tablespoon of maple syrup made it too sweet 🤣 .. you can’t taste it at all but gives lots of flavor, I don’t get it!
Thank you for the recipe, I’m sorry you have to deal with negative feedback from people that more than likely didn’t follow recipe. 😀
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Pachee
Posted on 10/14/2023
Versatile and easy to make, it’s my go-to and the only chili recipe I’ll ever need. Whether for a cozy dinner or a game day gathering, this chili never fails to impress, making it an absolute must-try for all chili enthusiasts!
1
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Bethany A
Posted on 10/14/2023
Super yummy! Quick question – you recommended using the homemade chili seasoning that you provided a link to instead of the spices listed in the recipe – if I did that, how much of the chili seasoning would I use? Maybe 3 Tbsp? They are the same spices listed in the recipe, but not quite in the same proportions. Thanks!
1
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Elizabeth
Posted on 10/10/2023
This recipe is so good! Perfect seasoning and it’s pretty flexible. I’ve made it twice now and my husband and I love it.
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Jeff Riddle
Posted on 10/10/2023
Simmering now. Just did a taste test and am glad I made a double batch.
1
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Delilah
Posted on 10/27/2023
Reply to Jeff Riddle
When you doubled it, did you also double broth? I’m doubling it also. I’m worried 2c broth will be too much.
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Kari H
Posted on 10/10/2023
Absolutely the best!!! Everything goes so well! I just changed ground beef for turkey because we try to cut back on red meats. I added Rotel tomatoes because I thought it needed more spice but it doesn’t. Kids and husband loved it!! Our new go to! Thank you!
1
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Sande McAtee
Posted on 10/4/2023
I am not a chili person and for some reason I had a hankering to fix some for dinner. And then I stumbled upon your recipe. I am now truly a chili lover! My hubby’s said “make no changes.”
2
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MickyE
Posted on 10/4/2023
This chili was delicious. This will be my go to recipe.
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Syd K
Posted on 10/3/2023
Love the recipe! I saw it said 6 servings but any idea what the serving size actually is?? A cup? Would love to know for tracking purposes! Thanks!
2
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Posted on 10/3/2023
This chili is amazing. My husband loved it so much he told me to write the recipe down so there would be no way I could lose it. I did add 2 smaller cans of green chilies, and pinto beans in chili sauce. Used brown sugar instead of maple syrup,. Loved the flavor, not a strong tomato taste. A real winner!
1
Reply
Posted on 10/3/2023
Reply to Jo Anne
So glad you all loved this chili. It’s seriously my family’s favorite!
Reply
As a seasoned culinary enthusiast and recipe developer, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, having explored and experimented with diverse cuisines and ingredients. My expertise extends to understanding the intricacies of various dietary preferences and restrictions, such as dairy-free (DF), egg-free (EF), gluten-free (GF), and grain-free (GR) options.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
-
DF (Dairy-Free):
- The recipe aligns with a dairy-free approach, as it does not include any dairy-based ingredients like cheese or sour cream. This makes it suitable for individuals who follow a dairy-free diet due to lactose intolerance or other dietary preferences.
-
EF (Egg-Free):
- The chili recipe does not incorporate eggs, making it egg-free. This is advantageous for those with egg allergies or individuals who adhere to an egg-free lifestyle.
-
GF (Gluten-Free):
- The chili recipe is gluten-free, indicating the absence of wheat-based products. This is beneficial for individuals with gluten sensitivities or those who follow a gluten-free diet. The recipe relies on ingredients like ground beef, beans, and various seasonings without the use of wheat or gluten-containing thickeners.
-
GR (Grain-Free):
- While the recipe includes beans, which are technically grains, it avoids the use of traditional grains like rice or wheat. The focus on whole ingredients like ground beef, tomatoes, and homemade chili seasoning aligns with a grain-free approach, catering to individuals who prefer or require a grain-free diet.
-
Chili 101:
- The article provides insights into making the best chili, discussing key ingredients such as ground beef, tomatoes (sauce, diced, and puree), and beans (pinto and kidney). It also emphasizes the importance of homemade chili seasoning for superior flavor without added preservatives.
-
#1 Secret Ingredient - Maple Syrup:
- The article introduces maple syrup as the secret ingredient in the chili recipe, explaining that a touch of sugar enhances the savory flavors of the chili seasoning. It suggests alternatives like brown sugar or honey for those without maple syrup.
-
Variations and Topping Ideas:
- The versatility of chili is highlighted, with suggestions for variations such as using different types of meat or beans. Topping ideas include shredded cheese, green onions, Greek yogurt, Fritos, and chives, allowing individuals to customize their chili experience.
-
Storage and Freezing Instructions:
- Practical information on storing and freezing the chili is provided, offering guidance on maintaining its freshness and flavor over time.
-
Recommended Kitchen Tools:
- The article recommends specific kitchen tools such as a Dutch oven and measuring cups, providing readers with insights into the equipment that can enhance their cooking experience.
In conclusion, this chili recipe not only offers a delicious and highly-rated dish but also caters to a range of dietary preferences, making it a versatile and inclusive option for a diverse audience.
