Easy Ground Beef Chili

This easy ground beef chili is hearty and comforting. It’s made with beef, two kinds of beans, veggies, and spices. Top it with all your favorite garnishes like cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions for a cozy cold-weather dinner!

Depending on where you’re from you might find this chili recipe completely endearing or completely offensive. It’s made with a myriad of ingredients (including tomato sauce 😱), it has two kinds of beans, and it’s made with simple ground beef.

And here’s the deal – this is what I considered “authentic” chili for many years. I’m from Wyoming, and everyone I knew growing up ate some variation of this simple ground beef chili. The version I’m sharing today is inspired by the kind my mom made every Christmas (cue the awwws.)

Of course, I now know there really isn’t a singular authentic chili but rather authentic variations depending on where you’re from. Like the bean-less, tomato-less Texas chili, or Mexican-style chile colorado, or Cincinnati chili, or New Mexico green and red chile. Or the countless other types that I am leaving out because, wow, there are many different kinds of chili. And isn’t that something that makes this a wonderful world?

Ingredients

So, fire up the sepia filter because this chili recipe is a trip down memory lane for me. It’s a simple concoction and very easy to make.

• It starts with ground beef, onions, and bell peppers.
• It’s flavored with chili powder, garlic powder, and a little enchilada sauce.
• Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, and pinto beans join the party, too.
• I usually make it with water, but have used chicken stock or vegetable broth, too.

I like to simmer the chili for several hours on medium-low heat. It will thicken as it simmers and the flavors will meld together. Right at the end I add some lime juice for a little punch of brightness.

A Few Tips…

• Because of the long simmer time, it’s a great weekend cooking project. Once you get everything in the pot, and the prep doesn’t take long, just leave it to do its thing.
• For the best experience, I like to make it a day in advance. It keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better after the flavors fully develop. So, for this reason, it’s ideal for meal prep.
• You can also freeze it for several months. Yay.
• Serve it up in big bowls with all the toppings like shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream.
• Use it to make Frito pies, nachos, chili dogs, or spoon it over baked potatoes. There are a lot of ways to use it, friends.

A big bowl of homemade chili is a wonderful thing and this one is one of my favorites. I hope you give it a try!

Happy Cooking,

More Chili Recipes

• Black Bean Chili
• Chicken Chili
• Three Bean Chili

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This easy ground beef chili post and recipe has been updated from the archives. First published in December 2014.