Chili with Beans

This classic Chili with Beans recipe is hearty, comforting, and perfect for cozy nights at home. Serve it topped with your favorite chili fixings and a side of homemade cornbread for an easy, family-friendly dinner any night of the week.

Easy Chili with Beans Recipe

This recipe for chili beans is one that will fill up the family from the pantry. Canned beans and tomato sauce are a pantry staple at our house, and I pretty much always have ground beef in the freezer ready for quick meals. While the ingredient list may seem long, don’t be intimidated. The original recipe ingredients are easy to find and you likely already have the seasonings on hand.

Key ingredients to make the best Chili Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card with ingredient amounts.)

• Ground Meat – Lean ground beef for a beefy flavor.
• Onion and Garlic – Diced onion and fresh garlic complements the hamburger.
• Peppers – A combination of poblano pepper, red bell pepper and jalapeños for spice.
• Beans – Kidney beans, pinto beans or navy beans add bulk.
• Oil – Olive oil for cooking the beef and veggies.
• Tomatoes – Canned crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste to thicken. You can also add a can of fire-roasted tomatoes (with the juice) for a chunkier texture. 
• Liquid – Beef stock or beef broth for moisture.
• Spices – Chili powder, salt, lemon pepper or black pepper, ground cumin, Mexican oregano, paprika or ancho chili powder.
• Toppings – Cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese or any of your favorite toppings for serving.

How to Make the Best Chili with Beans

• Sauté Vegetables – In a large Dutch oven on the stove top cook onion, red bell pepper, poblano and jalapeno peppers over medium high heat in a drizzle of olive oil until softened and beginning to brown, then add garlic.
• Cook Ground Beef – Add ground beef to the pot cooking over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain excess fat from pot.
• Tomato Sauce – To the pot add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste, mix well.
• Add Spices – Stir in chili powder, salt, lemon pepper, cumin, paprika (or ancho chili powder) and oregano with beef stock, stir to combine.
• Simmer – Cook per the cooking time in the recipe then add beans. Simmer to combine.
• Serve – Serve topped with chopped cilantro, jalapeno slices, sour cream, and shredded cheese with homemade cornbread, corn chips or tortilla chips.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chili with Pinto Beans and Kidney Beans

• A large 6 quart Dutch oven or similar sized heavy bottomed pot.
• Sharp knife and cutting board.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Large spoon for stirring.
• Ladle and soup bowls and tablespoon for serving.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Spices – You can make this chili your own. Add a dash of ground cinnamon, chipotle chili powder, cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
• Protein – You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
• Beans – You can customize this chili using only kidney beans or only pinto beans in this recipe. Navy beans also work.
• Oil – You can use vegetable oil or butter in place of olive oil.
• Beef Stock– You can use beef broth or replace some of the liquid with beer.
• Peppers – If you’re not crazy about too much spice, you can omit the jalapeno or swap out green bell pepper or a can of mild green chiles in place of the poblano pepper. When chopping the jalapeno make sure the seeds are completely removed.
• Be Careful When Handling Hot Peppers – Wear rubber gloves while cutting the jalapeno to avoid it getting into cuts or sensitive skin.
• Adjust the Thickness to Taste – Adding too much stock to the chili will make it very thin, so make sure to add only enough to give it ample liquid to simmer.
• Side Dish Serving Options – Chili goes well with cornbread so it’s my go-to side dish. You could also serve it with tortilla chips, fritos, crackers or garlic bread. You really can’t go wrong.
• Slow Cooker Chili – Can I make Chili with Beans in a slow cooker? Yes! To slow cook, brown the beef in a skillet on the stovetop, then combine all ingredients in a large slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Adjust the cooking times based on your needs.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Allow the chili with beans to cool then store leftovers in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer – This chili freezes well. To freeze leftovers, separate into serving size plastic containers or freezer bags and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
• Reheating and Serving – Reheat chili in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave in single servings. Serve as a quick and easy taco salad, on chili dogs, or you could use it as a topping for baked potatoes for a hearty entrée garnished with cheddar cheese, sour cream, cubed avocado and green onions.

More Southern Style Chili Recipes to Make

These recipes are also chili inspired and run the full gamut in variations. More chili recipes you may also like to make:

• White Chicken Chili is a fabulous twist on this classic.
• Are you an Instant Pot fan? Checkout my recipe for Instant Pot Chili.
• Chili Spaghetti is a family pleasing fusion of pasta and chili.
• Buffalo Chicken Chili features the same flavors we love about buffalo chicken wings.
• All beef Texas Style Chili simmers until the chuck roast is fall apart tender.
• Chili Cheese Frito Pie works both as a weekday meal or game day eats.
• Keto Chili Mac from All Day I Dream About Food.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Dutch Oven 
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board