This quick and easy chili can be ready in about 30 minutes or simmered for up to two hours for a richer, thicker result. It’s a comforting, straightforward meal made with familiar pantry ingredients—perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends alike.
This is the favorite chili in our home—simple, reliably tasty, and likely to become a go-to in yours as well. While many people swear by “secret” ingredients, this version succeeds because of a balanced ratio of meat, tomatoes, beans, and spices rather than any single surprise element.
The combination of lean ground beef, savory tomatoes, hearty beans, and warm spices creates a classic chili flavor that’s easy to prepare and easy to love.
Enjoy it after 30 minutes or let it simmer up to 2 hours!
One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. It tastes great after just 30 minutes of cooking, making it ideal when time is short, but simmering it longer softens and melds the spices and produces a thicker, more developed chili. If you’re pressed for time, you can have it on the table quickly; if you have the luxury of extra time, let it simmer to deepen the flavors.
A few tips for making this recipe
Yellow onions work best here for their balance of sweetness and savory flavor.
Thoroughly drain and rinse the beans to remove excess liquid from the can; the chili will still be flavorful without it.
For more heat, stir in red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chilies toward the end of cooking and taste as you go.
Favorite toppings for chili
– Sour cream
– Corn chips
– Diced avocado
– Shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack are great)
– Sliced jalapeños
– Chopped green onions
What’s your favorite topping? We like serving this with fresh buttered bread, buns, or wrapped in a warm flour tortilla with shredded cheese—the kids love that variation.
Quick and Easy Chili Recipe
5 from 2 reviews
- Author: Sandra Flegg
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This quick and easy chili is a satisfying, flavorful dish that works whether you have half an hour or a couple of hours. It uses everyday ingredients and comes together with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2–4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
1. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook for about two minutes until fragrant.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it browns.
3. Drain and rinse the kidney beans and set them aside.
4. To the pot with the cooked beef, add the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and the drained beans. Stir well to combine.
5. Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes. At this point the chili is ready to serve, or you can continue simmering for up to another 1½ hours (stirring occasionally) for a thicker, more developed flavor.
Makes 8 servings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 616.3 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.6 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg