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…

A bowl of chili. The chili has ground beef, beans and a rich sauce. It is topped with sour cream and shredded cheese and a piece of cornbread is on the edge of the bowl.

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. 😬

A large bowl of the best chili topped with sour cream and grated cheese. Another bowl for chili is in the background and there are a few pieces of cornbread next to the chili.

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!

A bowl of Best Chili topped with grated cheese and cilantro.

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
Two bowls of the best chili. The chili is made with beans, ground beef and herbs and spices. It is topped with sour cream and grated cheese.

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:

  1. Cook the bacon until crisp in a large pot, then remove to a plate lined with a paper towel.
  2. Add the onions and pepper and cook until tender.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
  4. Drain any grease.
  5. Add the remaining ingredients and 3/4 of the bacon stirring everything to combine.
  6. Let it simmer over medium low heat.
  7. 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.

A bowl of the best chili. There is ground beef, three kinds of beans, spices, sour cream and grated cheese on top.

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.

A bowl of the best chili. It has a spoonful of sour cream and shredded cheese on top. You can see the ground beef and beans in the chili, and a piece of cornbread is on the edge of the bowl. Another bowl of chili is in the background.

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. 

A bowl of the best chili. A spoon is in the bowl. There are beans and ground beef in a rich sauce and the chili is topped with sour cream and shredded cheese.

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:

Best Chili Recipe

4.22 from 115 votes
Servings: 10 people
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Description

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!

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

Chili can be frozen for 4-6 months.
Want it spicier? Try adding 1/4-1 teaspoon cayenne

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 21gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 970mgPotassium: 763mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1111IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 4mg
Course: 50 of the Best Easy Soup Recipes for Families
Cuisine: American

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A bowl of chili. The chili has ground beef, beans and a rich sauce. It is topped with sour cream and shredded cheese and a piece of cornbread is on the edge of the bowl.

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