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Overhead view of a bowl full of chili with toppings and a spoon in the center.
4.91 from 176 votes

Homemade Chili Recipe

This is the BEST homemade chili recipe is the ultimate comfort food and is made with simple ingredients like ground beef, beans, and tomatoes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Total Cost: $9.28 recipe / $1.55 serving
Servings: 6 1 cup each

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
  • 1 yellow onion $0.49
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.32
  • 1 lb. ground beef* $4.79
  • 1 15oz. can kidney beans $1.09
  • 1 15oz. can black beans $0.89
  • 1 15oz. can diced tomatoes, with juices** $0.50
  • 1 6oz. can tomato paste $0.55
  • 1 cup water $0.00

Chili Seasoning

  • 1 Tbsp chili powder*** $0.30
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.10
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.03
  • 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper $0.03

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat until they are soft and translucent.
  • Add the ground beef to the pot and continue to sauté until the beef is fully browned.
  • Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, and all of the ingredients for the chili seasoning. Stir until well combined.
  • Place a lid on the pot and allow it to simmer over a low flame for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers). 
  • Give the chili one final taste, adjust the salt or seasonings if needed, then serve hot with your favorite toppings.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I love a slightly higher fat content beef for chili because it makes the pot extra rich and it's more affordable than lean ground beef, but feel free to use the type of ground beef that you like the best.
**If you don't like chunks of tomato, you can substitute with crushed tomatoes, which have a much finer texture. 
***The chili powder used is a mild blend of dried chilies and other spices. It is not spicy or hot. Click here for an example. You could also use my homemade chili seasoning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 468mg | Fiber: 10g