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Bowl of chili topped with green onion, sour cream, and corn chips.

The Best Homemade Chili Recipe

Ashley Manila
This is literally the best chili recipe ever and the perfect comfort food for chilly nights! Packed with protein thanks to red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, lean ground beef, beef broth, and bacon. We love to top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado.
4.97 from 57 votes
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 bowls

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces bacon chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper seeds and core removed, diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper diced
  • 2 carrots minced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil
  • 3 15 ounce cans of beans 1 red kidney beans, 1 black beans, 1 pinto beans recommended, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups beef broth or 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup pilsner beer

Instructions
 

  • In a large Dutch oven over medium high heat, fry the bacon until crispy, stirring it frequently. Drain on a paper towel lined plate, then set aside until needed. 
  • Leave the bacon grease in the pan. Add the yellow onion, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and carrots and sauté until soft and almost caramelized, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. 
  • Add the ground beef and brown, stirring gently, trying not to break up the beef too much (larger chunks are our goal). Cook until the meat is deeply browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. 
  • Add the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and all spices and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 
  • Add the tomato paste and stir well to break it up into the meat. Cook for about 2 minutes, then add in the crushed tomatoes. Cook for another 2 minutes. 
  • Stir in the cooked bacon, beans, and broth (and beer, if using) and mix well to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. If the chili appears to be getting too thick, add a little more broth as needed. 
  • Scoop into bowls and serve with garnishes (see post for garnish ideas).

Video

Keyword chili, comfort food, the best homemade chili recipe, ground beef
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