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Best Ever Homemade Chili Recipe

4.5 from 68 reviews

This Best Ever Homemade Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. Made with ground beef or turkey, beans, fresh and canned tomatoes, and a robust blend of chili seasonings, it simmers slowly to develop rich, deep flavors. The chili is ideal for family dinners, game days, or meal prepping, offering a comforting and protein-packed meal that warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
  • 1 large yellow or white onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 medium green chili or 1 can diced green chilies

Canned Goods

  • 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) chopped tomatoes

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 tablespoons chili seasoning (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the onion, garlic, fresh tomatoes, and green chili if using fresh to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and green chili. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant, which helps release their flavors into the oil.
  3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground meat to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks for about 5 minutes. This step develops a rich base flavor for the chili.
  4. Add Spices: Stir in the chili seasoning mix and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices, enhancing their aroma and taste.
  5. Add Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: Mix in the canned chopped tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, and tomato paste thoroughly with the meat and spices.
  6. Simmer Covered: Cover the pot and let the chili simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
  7. Add Beans and Simmer Uncovered: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney and black beans. Then, continue to simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes until the chili thickens to your desired consistency.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and let the chili rest for 10 minutes. This resting period allows flavors to settle and the chili to thicken slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
  • Adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne pepper or green chilies.
  • For a thicker chili, increase the simmering time uncovered.
  • Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for extra flavor.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Keywords: chili, homemade chili, ground beef chili, ground turkey chili, kidney beans, black beans, tomato chili, comfort food, hearty chili