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The best chili recipe I have ever made! It’s packed with ground beef, bacon and 3 kinds of beans with just the right combination of spices for the perfect flavor! Top it off with a little sour cream and shredded cheese, Yum!
You all have been loving our award winning Instant Pot chili for quite some time now, but this one is better. I can’t believe I’m saying that because the Instant Pot version is the bomb, but this is THE BEST!
“This is the first time I’ve ever commented on a recipe, but I just want to say that this is the best chili I’ve ever tried. I actually have never liked chili and I’ve made it to my 30s never liking a single chili I’ve tried. I had to make some to use up some ingredients, so I gave this recipe a try. I’m floored. It’s so good! I like chili! Thank you to the person who posted this recipe. I’m making it again tonight.”
The Chili Story
Now, I’ve actually never been a chili fan. Spicy is not my thing and growing up I didn’t like ground beef and wasn’t a huge bean fan so chili was definitely not my favorite. But then I became intrigued, and all from one story…
My sister once called me later at night and I was juuust about to go to sleep. I knew she’d just been on a date so I answered to hear the details. No. No this was not a, “best date ever” call, but a “you will not believe the awkwardness” call.
He had called last minute and asked if she could pick him up. “Oh sure” she replied, totally not worrying about it as they were nearing the end of college and maybe his car was out of luck. So she picks him up and he tells her he actually doesn’t have a car, or a job, nor is he actually in school. Instead he’s pursuing breakdancing. 😬
Best Thing I’ve Ever Eaten
Which is fine, there’s probably some good ones out there, but as he later showed her, he wasn’t one of them. But I’m distracted. So this kind boy tells her, I’m taking you out for the very best thing I’ve ever eaten. “You’re going to love it,” he says. Right at the light, then head straight down main. Take a left at this light and straight again until it’s on the left hand side. Wendy’s.
Well again, she’s so kind and gives him a chance. They get inside and he orders two baked potatoes with chili. Whhhhhaaaaaa?
This is the BEST thing you’ve ever eaten?
That date didn’t end up going anywhere, haha, but it sure sparked something in me! I vowed to discover the best chili ever and while it started as a funny joke I ended up falling in love with chili! Jokes on me!
What Ingredients Do I Need to Make the Best Chili?
So I thought I had found the best chili ever in our Instant Pot chili recipe, but then I made this stove top version, and this is the absolute best. If you are familiar with our IP version, the ingredients are similar with just a couple of additions for this recipe. This is what you will need:
- Meats: Ground Beef (90% lean ground beef or 85% works too) and Bacon
- Beans: Kidney Beans, Pinto Beans and Black Beans
- Veggies: Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Red Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Jalapeno and Garlic
- Liquids: Beef Broth and Worcestershire Sauce
- Spices: Oregano, Ground Cumin, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Coriander and Chili Powder
- Cocoa Powder: Don’t skip it!
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below.
For Garnish
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Cheddar Cheese (or any type of cheese your family loves)
These are our favorite chili toppings, but you could honestly do anything your family enjoys. Other options might include: tortilla chips, corn chips, green onions, black olives, avocado, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, etc.
How to Make the Best Chili Recipe
Making this homemade chili is so simple and the depth of flavor is fabulous. I’m so obsessed! Here are the basic steps:
- Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crisp in a large pot, then remove to a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Sauté: Add the onions and pepper and cook until tender.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any grease.
- Simmer: Add the remaining ingredients and 3/4 of the bacon stirring everything to combine. Let it simmer over medium low heat.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite chili garnishes, including the extra bacon, and side of skillet cornbread!
All the details can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Chili FAQs
We carefully considered each ingredient when making this classic chili recipe, but we found as we tested that certain ingredients really deepened the flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, and tomato paste all add to the depth of flavor, especially the longer it simmers. It actually tastes even better the second day!
Some chilis, such as Texas chili, actually forbid the use of beans.
Other chili recipes call for beans. I love the heartiness that beans add!
A red onion has a slightly more mild flavor than a yellow onion when served raw and can help to mellow out a tomato based dish instead of the more bold yellow or white onion.
For the best flavor, chili should simmer for at least 30 minutes, but 45–60 minutes allows the flavors to fully develop and the chili to thicken. The longer it simmers, the richer and more cohesive it becomes.
Yes! Chili almost always tastes better the next day. Resting overnight allows the spices and seasonings to meld, creating deeper, more balanced flavor when reheated.
To thicken chili, simmer it uncovered so excess liquid evaporates. You can also mash some of the beans, add a small amount of tomato paste, or let it continue cooking until it reaches your desired consistency.
Variations
Protein: change up the protein and using ground turkey or chicken (though if you want to go a little lighter, you should try our Instant Pot Turkey Chili) or use swap 1/2 pound of sausage for some of the ground beef
Spiciness: add heat with a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
Veggies: toss in some green beans, corn, zucchini or squash for extra nutrients
Quantity: make a double batch to feed a crowd and serve of baked potatoes for a baked potato bar
Storing and Reheating
Chili will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Chili also freezes extremely well. Cool chili completely. Place in container with a tight fitting lid, or in freezer bags and freeze for 4-6 months.
I actually like to freeze my chili using a food vacuum sealer! It ensures that there is no air, which helps prevent freezer burn, and it’s easy to open and remove when it’s time to reheat it. I use my FoodSaver V4400 to do this and I love how easy it is to load up the bags and quickly remove the air!!
Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave (for individual servings).
So no one ever needs to take a date to Wendy’s for the “best thing you’ve ever eaten” because you can just make the best chili recipe right at home and it’s so simple and tastes incredible!
Here are some more CHILI RECIPES that you’ll love:
- Award Winning Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Turkey Chili
- Brisket Chili
- Ground Beef Enchilada Chili
- White Chicken Chili
- Healthy One Pot Chili Mac
Watch How This Recipe is Made…
Best Stovetop Chili
Ingredients
- 6 Strips Bacon, good quality, chopped
- 1 Red Onion, chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 ½ Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Can Kidney Beans, 15 oz, drained
- 1 Can Pinto Beans, 15 oz, drained
- 1 Can Black Beans, 15 oz, drained
- 1 Can Tomatoes, 15 oz, fire roasted with juice
- 1 Can Tomato Paste, 6 oz
- 1 Jalapeño, seeded and minced *optional
- 2 Cups Beef Stock
- 1 Tablespoon Oregano, dried
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
- 1 ½ teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic, minced
For Garnish
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the bacon until crisp, stirring often to cook evenly.6 Strips Bacon
- Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Add the onions and peppers and cook until tender.1 Red Onion, 1 Red Bell Pepper
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.1 ½ Pounds Ground Beef
- Drain off any excess grease, we just tilt the pot and use a large spoon.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients and 3/4 of the bacon and stir to combine.1 Can Kidney Beans, 1 Can Pinto Beans, 1 Can Black Beans, 1 Can Tomatoes, 1 Can Tomato Paste, 1 Jalapeño, 2 Cups Beef Stock, 1 Tablespoon Oregano, 2 teaspoons Cumin, 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder, 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 ½ teaspoons Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander, 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Tablespoon Garlic
- Cook for a minimum of 45 minutes. If you have the time, it is best if it simmers all day or as long as possible.
- Serve with sour cream, cheese, cilantro and the remaining bacon.Sour Cream, Cilantro, Cheese
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
First time making chili and it was so good! I wish I made double the batch my family loved it!
Yay! Love to hear this Alyssa!! Thank you!
I’m unsure where everyone is going wrong that they’re giving it a bad review. The only thing I change is using Abuelitas Mexican hot chocolate ground in alongside the cocoa. It’s absolutely delicious though and everyone I’ve served it to has loved it so much. I’m an avid user of your recipes and they are often staples here. 💖
Thank you so much for the support and feedback Nicole!
Way too fancy with the ingredients absolutely no flavor which is quite an accomplishment considering there’s so many ingredients.
Hey Marnie! So sorry for your disappointment! I can’t see how there would be no flavor with all the bold flavored ingredients in this recipe.
So many adds on your site YUCK! Makes scrolling the recipe impossible. I’ve tried to watch the video several times and it fails. Ugh. Too bad, I won’t be using your site anymore.
Thank you for your feedback! My ad partner is Raptive, and they care about reader experience and would value hearing from you. Please go here to fill out a quick one-question survey…https://raptive.formstack.com/forms/reader_feedback_form_06
My family lovingly calls this “hot dog chili” as it’s something I cook quite often when camping to slather over a hot dog. At home we eat it with tortilla chips. My favorite chili is a vegetarian one, but this is my family’s favorite (and I quite enjoy it myself). I like that it isn’t the kind of chili that’s overly sweet, overly greasy, hit you in the gut stuff. I probably add a little more seasoning as we like things spicy. But I just wanted to say thank you for the recipe, my teen is always stoked when it’s on the dinner menu.
Yay! Love to hear this Sarah! This means so much to us! And anytime the teenagers are happy, that is a good day!
OMG – yummy! and healthy!
You set out to make the best, and success knocked on your door. So, so glad I decided to make this. It was so, so good.
Easy ingredients to find at the grocery store. Recipe comes together rather quickly – another big plus.
Just a great big thanks from me.
Thank you so much!!
GREAT chili. Have made it now 4 times, and its a winner every time. It’s nearly foolproof, and so so good. (I’ve stopped measuring the seasonings, which usually is my gateway to screwing something up, and it’s still delicious.) I’ve been eating it over a baked sweet potato, but my husband prefers it with a tortilla. My son likes to use it on a chili dog. It’s great all around! Thank you!
LOVE to hear this Lindsey!! Thank you so much for taking time to leave a comment and review!
Not a show stopper but it’s perfect for needing to feed a lot of people on a budget. Super easy to put together, super easy to clean up. Lots of protein…Great leftovers and it can be frozen.
Did need to double up on some of the spices and I added a little bit of cinnamon. I also felt like it needed some more veggies so I added some corn and celery. 🙂
Hi Nico! Thank you so much for the feedback! Way to make it your own! I love it!
I’ve tried so many chili recipes. This is the BEST ONE! It’s perfect. Thank you!
Thank you so much Caitlin!! It is my new favorite!
I’ve been trying different chili recipes all year and THIS IS THE ONE!!! I serve it over a baked potato and it’s just so stinking good. It’s my husbands new favourite recipe!
Yesssss Sara! Thank you so much!