Best Chili Recipe
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!
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 up at the light, then head straight down main, take a left at this light and straight down 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? Ahhhhh 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 even 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:
- Ground Beef
- Bacon
- Kidney Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Black Beans
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Red Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Jalapeno
- Beef Stock
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Cocoa Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Coriander
- Chili Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic
For Garnish
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Cheese
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below.
How to Make the Best Chili Recipe
Making this homemade chili is so simple and the depth of flavor fabulous. I’m so obsessed! Here are the basic steps:
- Cook the bacon until crisp in a large pot, then remove to a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Add the onions and pepper and cook until tender.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Drain any grease.
- Add the remaining ingredients and 3/4 of the bacon stirring everything to combine.
- Let it simmer over medium low heat.
- Serve with your favorite chili garnishes and side of skillet cornbread!
All the details can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Does Chili Have To Have Beans?
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!
How Long Will Chili Keep?
Chili will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Can Chili Be Frozen?
Cool chili completely.
Place in container with a tight fitting lid, or in freezer bags and freeze for 4-6 months.
What is the Difference Between and Yellow Onion and a Red Onion?
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.
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! Now excuse me while I go work on my breakdancing moves and work off that second bowl of chili I just ate! Lol!
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
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
- Pumpkin Apple Cider Chili
- White Chicken Chili
- Surprise Chili
- White Bean Turkey Chili
- Dr Pepper and Chocolate Chili
- Healthy One Pot Chili Mac
- All our Chili, Soup, and Stew Recipes here!
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Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 6 Strips Bacon good quality, chopped
- 1 Can Kidney Beans 15 oz., drained
- 1 Can Pinto Beans 15 oz. drained
- 1 Can Black Beans 15 oz. drained
- 1 Cans Tomatoes 15 oz. Fire Roasted with juice
- 1 Can Tomato Paste 6 oz.
- 1 Red Onion chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 Jalapeno 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 1/2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 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.
- Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Add the onions and peppers and cook until tender.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
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