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Easy Homemade Chili

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By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Jul 25, 2024
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Whether you’re cooking for family, roommates or yourself, everyone needs a quick, easy chili recipe on hand! This one is super simple and kid-friendly (not too spicy), and it comes together in just 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your fridge and pantry.

This classic dish originated in the Americas and has been influenced by multiple cultures and cuisines over the years, so there are a variety of recipes out there. But what about everyone can agree on is that the base of a good chili is a thick sauce made with chili peppers of some kind, onions, canned tomatoes, and plenty of cumin. If you ask us, our easy chili recipe is one of the best because it brings those tasty ingredients (along with savory beef and beans) together quickly to create a delicious dish ready for all sorts of toppings, from cheddar cheese to green onions.

Another great thing about chili is that it’s a one-pot family favorite that’s perfect for so many different occasions. Have a busy day with the family? Chili is a weeknight wonder, and it makes amazing leftovers—so that’s tomorrow’s lunch covered, too. The flavors just get better overnight! You’ll also catch us making this quick and easy chili for game days, movie night gatherings and any other get-togethers that call for a hearty, comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy.

How to Make Homemade Chili

Once you see how simple it is to make a batch of this tasty chili, you’ll be serving bowls for lunch and dinner left and right! Ready to learn how to make homemade chili that will have the whole family coming back for seconds? Get the scoop with our quick overview, then read on for the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions.

Cook Beef and Onion

First, cook your lean ground beef and chopped onion. Don’t forget to drain off the excess liquid before moving on to the next step—you don’t want your chili to end up too watery!

Add Spices, Seasonings, and Beans

Get some mouthwatering flavors going with chili powder, cumin, salt, and Sriracha. A can of diced tomatoes brings even more flavor and gives this easy chili recipe that classic red coloring. Want to amp up the spice? Add more chili powder or more Sriracha, tasting as you go.

Boil, Then Simmer

Ready for your chili to become chili? Bring things to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer while stirring occasionally. An extended simmer time (we let our chili bubble for about 10 minutes) allows this dish to thicken into a hearty, flavorful meal.

Serve

This is where you can stay classic or get extra creative with the toppings! Cool things down by topping your chili with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream, add crunch with crushed tortilla chips and fresh green onions, or break out a bowl of corn chips and eat this chili scoop by yummy scoop.

How to Thicken Chili to Perfection

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to the consistency of their chili. Some like a thick stew, while others like a thinner, almost soupy dish. If your Easy Homemade Chili is looking a little too watery for your taste, there’s plenty of time to thicken it up before you serve it. Here are a few tips to try.

Keep Simmering : If you’ve followed our full easy chili recipe and your dish is still too watery, continue simmering the chili over low heat. This will allow more liquid to evaporate, naturally thickening the chili.

Add Tomato Paste: Stir in a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste. This concentrated paste will not only add flavor but also help thicken your chili.

Make a Slurry: Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to create a slurry. Slurries are used to thicken a variety of dishes! Slowly pour the slurry into the chili while stirring continuously. Simmer for a few more minutes until the dish reaches your desired consistency.

What to Serve with Homemade Chili

Toppings Galore: Complete this quick and easy chili with family-favorite toppings like crushed tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and green onions. If you’re hosting guests and serving chili for dinner, you could even set up a makeshift chili station with all the fixings so that everyone can build their own bowl with their favorite toppings.

Cornbread: You can’t go wrong with the classic pairing of chili and cornbread. The tender cornbread adds a delicious texture and nice flavor alongside this savory dish.

Side Salad: Serving a big pot of chili for family dinner? Round out the meal with a simple side salad dressed with a nice tangy vinaigrette. And when you’re ready to add yet another fantastic dish to your weeknight dinner rotation, try one of our quick and easy dinner recipes .

Baked Potato: Add a hearty accompaniment with a hot baked potato. This is a great way to switch up your usual chili lunch or dinner—top the potato with chili, cheese, sour cream and green onions for a filling meal.

Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the warmth and slight spice of this Easy Homemade Chili. Serve it alongside chili for a satisfying lunch. For more midday meals, check out our other favorite lunch recipes.

More Chili Recipes We Love

You can never have too many favorite chili recipes. Whether you keep things traditional or switch up the protein and sauce, this dish is just too easy and fun to customize! Explore more of our beef chili recipes, or try one of these standouts for something different.

Spicy Texas Chili: If this easy chili recipe is a touch too tame for you, kick the heat up several notches with our Spicy Texas Chili. Chili powder, jalapeño, and cayenne pepper pack a flavor punch!

White Chicken Chili: Traditional chili is red, but this Creamy White Chicken Chili might have you rethinking your definition of the dish. Shredded chicken, cannellini beans, sour cream, and plenty of pepper Jack cheese come together for a creamy, comforting meal that’s ready in half an hour.

Chicken Enchilada Chili: Get a flavor fiesta going in your slow cooker with our Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Chili. This recipe takes just 10 minutes of prep and will have your kitchen smelling extra yummy as things get cooking.

More About This Recipe

  • Satisfy your post-work dinner cravings with this quick, easy chili recipe. Made with ground beef, assorted spices, Progresso™ kidney beans, diced tomatoes and sriracha sauce, this chili comes together in 30 minutes, and it has just enough spice to wake up your taste buds. Learn how to make chili with our kitchen-approved method.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Chili Last in the Fridge?

When stored properly, this Easy Homemade Chili will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge—and the leftovers will taste just as good or even better than when you made it! Allow your chili to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or resealable food-storage bag. When you’re ready to chow down on your leftovers, you can use the stove or microwave to reheat them. Just make sure your chili reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s properly reheated and safe to eat.

Can You Freeze Chili to Store Longer?

For a longer-term storage option, you can freeze leftover chili for up to 2 to 3 months. This is a great way to keep a convenient meal on hand for busy days. Freeze individual portions or full batches of chili in freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags, leaving some room for the leftovers to expand. When you know you have a busy day coming up, thaw some chili overnight in the fridge, then treat yourself to a warm, comforting dinner with almost no effort! Follow the reheating instructions in the fridge section above to get your thawed chili piping hot.

Is Chili a Soup?

Is chili a soup, a stew, or something else? It really depends on who you ask—and who’s doing the cooking. We consider this easy chili recipe to make more of a stew because the end result is a thick, meat-filled dish that’s solid enough to be scooped up with a tortilla chip. Soups are generally more liquid than solid. That being said, chili can be made thicker or thinner based on the ingredients and cooking method you choose. We’ll leave the final decision to you!

What Beans Go Best in Red Chili?

We use Progresso™ kidney beans, but you can sub in other kinds of beans to switch up the flavor and texture of this dish. This is the best easy chili recipe because it’s endlessly customizable—so the best beans are your favorite beans! Here are some of our favorites.

Pinto Beans: Often used in Tex-Mex style chili, pinto beans have a nice creamy texture and a mild flavor that complements the spices in this dish.

Black Beans: Black beans add a hearty texture and a very slightly sweet flavor to chili. They also hold their shape well when cooked!

Great Northern Beans: Great Northern beans are smaller and more delicate than kidney beans. They have a mild flavor and a smooth texture, making them a solid choice for any chili recipe.

Cannellini Beans: Also known as white kidney beans, cannellini beans are larger and creamier than Great Northern beans. They have a mild, nutty flavor that pairs well with the spices in this easy chili recipe.

Easy Homemade Chili

  • Prep Time 30 min
  • Total 30 min
  • Ingredients 9
  • Servings 4
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean (at least 80% lean) ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
  • 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (19 oz) Progresso™ kidney beans light red, undrained
  • Sour cream, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, if desired

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In 3 or 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
  • Step 
    2
    Stir in remaining ingredients except sour cream, green onions and cheese.
  • Step 
    3
    Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally.
  • Step 
    4
    Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Step 
    5
    To serve, ladle chili into bowls; top with sour cream, green onions and shredded cheese.

Nutrition

460 Calories
17g Total Fat
40g Protein
35g Total Carbohydrate
9g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
460
Calories from Fat
150
Total Fat
17g
26%
Saturated Fat
6g
32%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
100mg
33%
Sodium
900mg
38%
Potassium
480mg
14%
Total Carbohydrate
35g
12%
Dietary Fiber
9g
38%
Sugars
9g
Protein
40g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
40%
40%
Vitamin C
8%
8%
Calcium
15%
15%
Iron
40%
40%
Exchanges:
1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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