My best easy chili recipe is one of those simple dishes that makes getting weeknight dinners on the table an absolute breeze. It’s simple, satisfying comfort food in a bowl, and you’ll only need six pantry ingredients to make it.
It’s in a regular rotation in our fall and winter meal plans because it’s one of my husband’s favorites with classic chili recipe flavor.
This simple chili recipe is what I would consider “medium” spicy. It’s loaded with beans and ground beef so it’s a hearty, satisfying comfort food meal.
We like to top it and dress it up just a bit. What we use to finish off my best chili recipe depends on what’s in the fridge, but common garnishes at our house would be sour cream, minced onion, grated cheese, sliced jalapenos, avocado chunks, crushed crackers or tortilla chips.
Serve it with your favorite dippers too, like cornbread, biscuits or my friend Shashi’s delish chocolate cherry muffin tops.
Using Classic Chili Leftovers
Our chili leftovers are fantastic when rewarmed the second day for quick and easy lunches.
Those chili recipe leftovers are also a huge hit incorporated into brand new meals. Later in the week, try a chili-topped loaded baked potato, chili dogs or chili cheese nachos.
You can also stir extra chili into your favorite mac and cheese for a chili mac supper sensation. You’re going to win the quick and easy dinner game no matter how you use this scrumptious chili recipe.
Customize Your Easy Chili Recipe
In my opinion, this is the best chili recipe, not just because it’s quick and simple but also because it is easily customizable.
You can add extra ingredients and garnishes to the soup pot while making classic chili, or you can top the finished soup with your family’s favorite accompaniments.
You can tame the heat in your chili recipe (see tips in recipe card) or spice it up to bring even more heat.
Make this simple dish a family favorite by tailoring it to the personal tastes of the ones you happen to be cooking for. You’ll be a top chef in their eyes every time you serve my best chili recipe!
The Ingredients
This simple chili recipe has only six ingredients. The ingredients are common and easy to find, so you can always have a supply in the pantry. I find them all easily at my local Walmart or hometown grocery stores.
You’ll also notice that I don’t have salt or black pepper on the list. Many of the seasonings and ingredients already contain salt and pepper. I recommend cooking the chili and adding salt and pepper at the end if you feel it’s needed.
- Lean Ground Beef: I use 85% to 90% lean ground beef in this recipe. It has just enough fat to be able to brown it without adding fat to the pan, but not so much that the ground beef needs to be drained and rinsed before continuing with the chili recipe. Easy and quick!
- Chili Beans in Chili Sauce: I use Mrs. Grimes brand, and I buy the 40-oz. (family-size can). If you’re buying small (14.5-oz) cans, use three. (See FAQs for substituting kidney beans or other types.)
- Diced or Petite Diced Tomatoes or Whole canned Tomatoes (Crush whole tomatoes as you add them to the pot for the chili recipe.)
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- V-8 Vegetable Juice
- Chili Seasoning Mix or Southwestern Seasoning
What are Tomatoes with Green Chilies?
They are just small diced tomatoes that have had those delicious Southwestern Hatch green chilies added to them.
You can buy the well-known name brand, Rotel, if you like. I usually opt for the store brand as they are less expensive and there is zero difference in taste of your finished chili.
You can usually get these in “original” or “mild”, so choose a heat level that is right for your dinner table.
Why V-8 Vegetable Juice?
This is the one you’re probably scratching your head about. lol
I like the little extra kick of tomato flavor that V-8 adds to my best easy chili recipe.
And it never hurts to have extra hidden vegetables in a dish, either. Normally, you wouldn’t add tomatoes, carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, or spinach to your best chili recipe. But, hidden in this tasty vegetable juice, you do get to add them, and no one is the wiser.
This is the ingredient that you will adjust to suit your own preference when it comes to the “thickness” you prefer in your chili. Less is thicker, more stew-like chili and using more will give you a more soupy consistency.
You could substitute water if you’d rather. That will change the flavor profile somewhat, and I recommend tasting to see if you need extra salt before you serve it.
Chili Seasoning Packets
There is probably controversy surrounding these. For me, they are affordable and convenient. They already contain the chili powder and other spices I need for flavor. It works for classic chili in a hurry.
Yes, there is probably unnecessary sugar content, and there are definitely fillers. To be honest, I prefer my Southwestern Seasoning, but when I’m rushed and don’t have any on hand, these packets are what I reach for.
The recipe calls for one or two chili seasoning packets. When I choose those, I use two. However, for a milder chili, it would be best to start with one. You can always add more after tasting it during the cooking process.
For spicier chili, I definitely prefer 2 to 4 teaspoons of my homemade Southwestern seasoning instead of the chili packets. It contains chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano and more to bring the best chili flavor without sugar or fillers and takes my best chili recipe next-level.
How to Adjust the Spice Level in Chili
In this easy classic chili recipe, we consider the heat level to be medium. But spiciness is definitely subjective and each person has their own tolerances. If that’s still a little much for you, the heat can be turned up or down.
Simply adjust how much, if any, of the tomatoes with green chilies you use and/or adjust the number of chili seasoning mix packets.
If you prefer mild chili, avoid the Southwestern seasoning. Try any one of these options to adjust the recipe to your family’s heat tolerance.
Options For Milder Chili
- Omit the canned tomatoes with chilies and add an extra can of diced tomatoes.
- Use the canned tomatoes with chilies that are labeled “mild”, instead of “original”.
- Omit the canned tomatoes with chilies and add an extra ¾ cup of V‑8 vegetable juice.
- Use only one packet of chili seasoning mix, instead of two.
- Stirring a dollop of sour cream into the chili can also temper the spiciness.
Options For Spicier Chili
- Use my Southwestern seasoning in place of the chili packets. This is my preference for bringing more heat and flavor. Use 2 to 4 teaspoons.
- Finely mince a jalapeno and add it to the other ingredients when cooking your easy chili recipe. Using the seeds adds even more heat.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/2 teaspoon chili powder to the chili mixture as you’re cooking.
As always, use appropriate precautions and handwashing when handling hot peppers. Never touch your eyes or face until you’ve washed up. Did you know you should use cold water, not hot, to wash up after handling peppers?
FAQs About Easy Chili Recipe Substitutions
You can definitely substitute drained and rinsed kidney beans, pinto beans or black beans in this chili. Any of your favorite beans can work. Occasionally, I will mix several different kinds.
I, personally, don’t care for the tougher skins on kidney beans. So, I look for red beans or black beans or even cannellini or great northern beans if I’m not using beans in chili gravy. If you don’t mind the skin texture on kidney beans, they are definitely traditional in many chili recipes.
Still, for convenience and flavor I usually choose the beans in chili gravy when I’m in a hurry. Keep in mind if your kidney, black or pinto beans are drained and rinsed, you won’t have that additional “gravy” liquid, so will want more of the V-8 juice and maybe even extra chili powder or chili seasoning.
Yes. Just crush them as you add them to the pot and also add a small can of green chilies or a minced jalapeno.
You can add plain diced tomatoes and a small can of green chilies. If you don’t have canned chilies, you can add a minced jalapeno.
How to Make Homemade Chili
- In a 4‑qt or larger stock pot, over medium high heat, crumble and brown the ground beef until done and no pink remains. Salt and pepper the ground beef, to taste, as it browns.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the chili seasoning packets along with the can of chili beans in chili sauce (or kidney beans, black beans or your favorite varieties). Stir to combine.
- Add the petite diced tomatoes, tomatoes with chilies and the V‑8 juice. The amount of V‑8 you use will determine the thickness of your chili. Adjust it to your personal preference. (If you used drained and rinsed kidney beans, or others, instead of beans in chili sauce, you will want more V-8 juice and seasoning, too.) Stir everything to combine.
- Allow the chili to cook for 15 minutes to heat through and to meld all the flavors. It will thicken more and more, the longer it cooks. It really only needs a bout 15 minutes for the raw spices to cook and mellow into the sauce.
- Serve it with your favorite garnishes, toppings and sides. Some of our favorites are sour cream, minced onion, grated cheese, sliced jalapenos, avocado chunks, crushed crackers or tortilla chips. Add a green salad and your meal is complete!
The Recipe
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Best Easy Chili
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
My Best Easy Chili recipe is a hearty, spicy & delicious meal in a bowl. You’ll have it on the table in under 30 minutes. With only 6 ingredients & one pot you’re going to win weeknight dinners with this recipe. It will become a regular in your fall and winter meal plans.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef (I use 90%)
- 1 can (40 oz.) chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups V-8 vegetable juice
- 1 – 2 envelopes (1.25 oz.) chili seasoning mix or 2 to 4 teaspoons Southwestern Seasoning
- salt and pepper, (or All Purpose Seasoning) to taste
Instructions
- In a 4-qt or larger stock pot, over medium high heat, crumble and brown the ground beef until done and no pink remains. Salt and pepper the ground beef, to taste, as it browns.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the chili seasoning packets along with the can of chili beans in chili sauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the petite tomatoes, tomatoes with chilies and the V-8 juice. The amount of V-8 you use will determine the thickness of your chili. Adjust it to your personal preference. Stir to combine.
- Allow the chili to cook for 15 minutes to heat through and to meld all the flavors.
- Serve with your favorite garnishes (We like sour cream, grated cheese, diced onion, etc.), toppings and crackers or tortilla chips.
Notes
Substituting the Beans
You can definitely substitute drained and rinsed kidney beans, pinto beans or black beans in this chili. Any of your favorite beans can work. Occasionally, I will mix several different kinds.
Still, for convenience and flavor I usually choose the beans in chili gravy when I’m in a hurry. Keep in mind if your kidney, black or pinto beans are drained and rinsed, you won’t have that additional “gravy” liquid, so will want more of the V-8 juice and maybe even extra chili powder or chili seasoning.
Adjusting the Spice Level
If you’re cooking for littles, you may need to know how to tame down the spice in your chili. You can do that in several ways, depending on the heat level you want. Choose the method that works best for your situation.
Use the canned tomatoes with chilies that are labeled “mild”, instead of “original”.
- Omit the canned tomatoes with chilies and add an extra ¾ cup of V‑8 vegetable juice.
- Omit the canned tomatoes with chilies and add an extra can of petite diced tomatoes.
- Use only one packet of chili seasoning mix, instead of two.
- Stirring a dollop of sour cream into the chili can also temper the spiciness.
If you like to turn up the heat in your chili, be sure you’re adding the canned tomatoes with green chilies marked original, not mild. You can also add minced jalapeno or red pepper flakes, to taste. My favorite way to add heat to this easy chili recipe is to add 2 to 4 teaspoons of my homemade Southwestern Seasoning.
Southwest Seasoning Recipe
- 2 Tablespoons chipotle chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 Tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, stirring until everything is evenly distributed. Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Soup, Chili
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Stay warm friends! Enjoy this easy chili recipe and let me know if you give it a try!
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About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
I don’t like a strong chili spice, so I add a can of sweet potatoes to mine. It adds a little sweetness and cuts the spicy flavor. Otherwise this is my go to recipe.
Jody, that’s a genius idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Well, I’m never buying canned chili again. This was easy, delicious, and quick to make! I’ll be bookmarking this one.
Thanks, Marie! I’m thrilled that it is becoming a staple in your kitchen.
I love this chili recipe! It was so hearty and comforting. Highly recommended!
Thank you, Sharina!
What a fantastic chili recipe for busy days when you’re short on time. So much flavor, and not too spicy for my little ones at home.
I’m glad your littles could enjoy it too, Dana!
Thank you so much for this recipe! It tasted super delicious!
You’re very welcome, Cam! Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the fastest chili recipe I’ve seen, and it tastes delicious. Thanks!
You’re so welcome, Lacy! I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe.
Chili is always great this time of the year. I made it using the V8 and it added so much flavor. I’ll add it to my chili from now on.
Thank you for this recipe. My family loves chili but most recipes take all day. This 30 minute chili is the perfect. The addition of V8 adds so much flavor.
Wanted to make a chili last minute and this recipe was just what I was looking for. Quick, easy, and tasty. Such great comfort food!
I’m so happy it served well, Gina!
Finally, a blogger understands that we are looking for budget-friendly recipes these days! I love how you incorporate the store brands in cooking your recipe! I think too many other folks recommend brands we can no longer afford. This recipe turned out great, and I will be making it again!
Heidy, thank you! I’m so glad the recipe worked well for you!
This was such a bold and hearty recipe; easily, a new favorite! Looking forward to enjoying this all season long; nothing like chili on a cold winter day, indeed!
Sara, thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
The chili season has started and I started with this recipe. Such a tempting and delicious recipe for chilly nights.
So happy you enjoyed it, Savita! Thanks for letting me know.