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Easy Stovetop Chili Recipe

This easy stovetop chili recipe is perfect for the chilly Fall and Winter seasons. This delicious chili is a real crowd pleaser! It’s something that both kids and adults will enjoy. Next, you’ll have to check out my white chicken chili recipe.

Easy stovetop chili in a white bowl.

You won’t understand how good this chili is until you try it for yourself.

Everyone I make it for absolutely loves it and they always ask me for the recipe.

In fact, it even won 2nd place at my church’s chili cook off. Although it definitely deserved 1st place!

My inspiration for this recipe was Wendy’s. I think they make the absolute best chili!

When people try it they even tell me it taste like Wendy’s chili.

But as much as I used to eat their chili, I got tired of paying for it.

So I decided to make my own version of it.

I haven’t bought their chili for years now because I prefer my own.

Ingredients

Everyone has their own version of chili and today I’m sharing exactly how I make mine. This ingredient list may look like a lot but all the ingredients work together to form a mouthwatering flavor! Here are the ingredients:

Ground beef

I like to use ground chuck 80% to 20% lean to fat ratio. You may use a leaner choice if you prefer. Although you may to add some oil to the pot to prevent the ground beef from sticking. Some of my other favorite ways to use ground beef are in picadillo and fideo loco.

Vegetables

I use onion, bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic cloves. These combined give the chili some wonderful flavor as well as texture.

Canned tomatoes

This recipe uses three kinds of canned tomato products which include crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Diced tomatoes are also great in macaroni and tomatoes.

Beans

I use chili beans however you could also use leftover pinto beans.

Seasonings and spices

I like to use ground cumin, chili powder, oregano leaves, beef bouillon cubes and salt and pepper.

Sugar

I personally like to use brown sugar in chili. The sugar does not make the chili sweet. It does however balance out the acidity of the tomato products and enhances the flavor of the chili.

Worcestershire sauce

This adds an additional layer of flavor to the chili.

How to make stovetop chili

Chop the onion, bell pepper and jalapeños. Mince the garlic.

chopped veggies and minced garlic

Set aside the chopped veggies and start browning the ground beef.

Once browned transfer the beef to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

Leave about 2 tbsp of grease in the pot.

drained ground beef

Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeños and garlic to the pot and saute for a couple of minutes.

Season with salt and pepper.

cooking veggies for chili

Return the drained beef to the pot.

Then add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, water, cumin, chili powder, oregano leaves, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and beef bouillon cubes.

Stir very well.

pot of chili

Bring the chili to a boil then reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 2 hours.

That’s it.

It’s very easy and it makes plenty!

Easy stovetop chili in a pot.

How long should chili simmer on the stove?

I like to simmer my chili low and slow. Simmering it on low for 2 hours is best in my opinion. As that allows sufficient for the flavors to come together.

Should chili be thick?

That depends on who you’re asking. I personally prefer a soupy chili.

And I never put pasta in it. To me it just doesn’t belong.

I must have made chili dozens of times before I finally decided this one was my favorite.

It is full of flavor and it’s hard to not steal spoonfuls of it while it’s simmering away.

For us it has just the perfect level of spice but if you are especially sensitive to spice you could use just one jalapeño or substitute them with another bell pepper.

What to serve with chili?

While this soupy chili is absolutely delicious on its own, sometimes I like to serve it with hot water cornbread or a grilled cheese sandwich.

As for toppings, I love to top my chili with green onions. They have so much flavor! Some other options for toppings include saltine crackers, shredded cheese and sour cream.

You can use the next days leftover chili to make frito pie! Who doesn’t love that??

The best stovetop chili recipe

Make this recipe at your next get-together, it is sure to be a hit.

It really is the best chili recipe ever!

Don’t forget to top it with your favorite garnishes .

Thanks for visiting!

Stovetop chili in a white bowl.
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4.14 from 498 votes
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Easy Stovetop Chili Recipe

This is the best stovetop chili recipe ever! There's nothing more comforting than this on a chilly Fall or Winter evening.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword best chili recipe, chili recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 644 kcal
Author Carissa

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 jalapenos chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 15 oz can of tomato sauce
  • 27 oz can of chile beans
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 2 tbsp of ground cumin
  • 2 1/2 tbsp of chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp of dried oregano leaves
  • 1-2 tbsp of brown sugar
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat
  2. Drain browned beef on a paper towel lined bowl.
  3. Leave about 2 tbsp of grease in the pot.
  4. Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapenos, and garlic to the pot with the grease and saute for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Return the beef to the pot.
  6. Dump in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, water, cumin, chili powder, oregano leaves, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and beef bouillon cubes.
  7. Stir well.
  8. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours.
  9. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese and green onions.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Easy Stovetop Chili Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 644 Calories from Fat 297
% Daily Value*
Fat 33g51%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Cholesterol 116mg39%
Sodium 1765mg77%
Potassium 1869mg53%
Carbohydrates 52g17%
Fiber 14g58%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 38g76%
Vitamin A 1885IU38%
Vitamin C 55.7mg68%
Calcium 231mg23%
Iron 10.9mg61%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Recipe Rating




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Grant Wilton

Sunday 23rd of October 2022

Are the seeds removed from the Jalapeño’s?

Carissa

Thursday 27th of October 2022

I don't remove them but you certainly can if you prefer.

Barbara

Friday 2nd of September 2022

Excellent chili, made it for my family...... Made fresh corn bread....

Carissa

Thursday 8th of September 2022

Awesome, I'm so glad you liked it!

Carolyn

Saturday 22nd of January 2022

Can this recipe be made in a crockpot? Temperature? Cooking time?

Vickie

Sunday 2nd of January 2022

Just had two bowls of this chili. It is very delicious….. will be my go to recipe from now on!!

Carissa

Saturday 8th of January 2022

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

Theresa Schintzius

Sunday 5th of December 2021

Why the 2tbsp of cumin? Most recipes I see have about 1 to 1- 1/2 in their recipes.....also there is no need to separate the meat from the onions, bell peppers and jalapenos when cooking, , cook them in with your ground meat. I've done it for yrs.

Theresa Schintzius

Saturday 2nd of December 2023

@Vickie, I'm not telling her to change anything in her recipe. Just asking a question. Did not realize that was a problem here. I have been cooking from scratch and using tips taken from my mother and grandmother and using them for many years , I was just trying to let others know that you do not have to separate the meat from the veges when cooking this, much easier to skip those steps. I'm sure this recipe is delicious, never said it wouldn't be.

Vickie

Sunday 2nd of January 2022

@Theresa Schintzius, well I followed the recipe as written and it is delicious! Why try to change it?

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