Simple & Easy Classic Chili

Simple & Easy Classic Chili. This is a classic chili just like mom makes! It is a recipe that is packed with good things: ground beef, beans lots of veggies. Make it for a big, easy dinner for 2 with lunch for the next few days. Or use it as your next family meal. I love a classic chili with all the toppings on the table, everyone grabbing for more chips. A simple and easy recipe means a simple and easy blog post – so let’s get into it.

Simple Ingredients

Not only is chili pretty easy to make, but it’s also easy to substitute ingredients and make it your own. Instead of the homemade spice mix, grab your favorite packet for a short cut. You can use any bell pepper or even add spinach at the end of the simmering for extra veg. I love to use a good grass fed ground beef, but I have made this chili with all types of meat. It works perfectly as a turkey chili.

To make the most FLAVOR, we work in layers. Start by cooking your onions & peppers with salt. The cooked down onions add lots of flavor to the simmering liquids. Garlic & tomato paste are your next layer. The garlic cooks quickly (and this step smells amazing). Next is the ground beef and all of your seasonings. And finally: the liquids. I hope I made this sound as easy as it is. Use your favorite beans! My mom always used red kidney beans and this chili reminds me so much of chili nights at my house that I had to go with them.

When you make this simple & easy classic chili, please share your thoughts in the comments and give a rating. Or you can follow me on Instagram @quartersoulcrisis – I love connecting with you there and seeing your creations.

Simple & Easy Classic Chili

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

• large sauce pot or dutch oven

Ingredients

  

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• 1 1/2 tbs avocado or olive oil
• 2 green bell pepper cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 large red onion chopped
• 3 garlic clove minced
• 1 tbs tomato paste
• 1 lb 85% ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 1/2 tbs chili powder
• 1 1/2 tbs ground cumin
• 1/2 tbs smoked paprika
• 1 tbs garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp chili flake/red pepper flake* more if you like it spicy!
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes*
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 15 oz can kidney beans
• 1/2-1 cup beef broth depending on how thin you like it
• 1 tbs salt

Instructions

 

• Prep & Cook Veggies: First chop pepper, onion & mince your garlic cloves. In a large sauce pot or dutch oven, warm the olive oil on medium heat. Add chopped onion with a pinch of salt & cook about 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Add green pepper and cook another 5 minutes. Next add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute (until fragrant & a little golden). Lower heat if things are browning too quickly. Add tomato paste and mix until everything is coated & smells yummy.

  if things are sticking to the pan, add a splash of beef broth to lift things & combine all the spices.
• Cook Ground Beef: Break up ground beef or turkey & add into the pot. Cook stirring often until ground beef is mostly cooked through. Add spice mix: 2 1/2 tbs chili powder, 1 1/2 tbs ground cumin, 1tsp oregano, 1/2 tbs smoked paprika, 1 tbs garlic powder, 1/4 tsp chili flake*, 1/4 tsp black pepper. 3 tsps kosher salt. Stir until well combined.
• Add Liquid: Next add whole peeled tomatoes. Crush with your hands or a wood spoon. Fill the emptied can with 1/2 cup water and swirl around to clean out can. Add to pot. Add kidney beans & beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 25-30 minutes*, stirring occasionally. Taste & adjust seasonings to your liking. If it is very tangy/acidic, add 1-1.5tbs sugar.
• Serve warm with shredded cheddar, sour cream & green onion. (extra sour cream for me!!)

Home Cook’s Notes

Home Cook’s Notes: 

*Spices: you can replace the homemade spice mix with your favorite chili spice mix if for a short cut! 

*Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes: You can also used crushed or diced tomatoes, but I love the rustic/uneven chunks of whole peeled. 

*Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground chicken: all work perfectly as meat options. I almost always choose grass-fed ground beef

*Extra Spicy?  you can add more chili flake or cayenne (start 1/4tsp cayenne).