The Best Classic Stovetop Chili

Name: The Best Classic Stovetop Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 pounds ground beef; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 28 ounces crushed tomatoes; 15 ounces red kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup beef broth; Salt and black pepper to taste

This hearty, flavor packed chili is the ultimate cozy meal for cold weather and game days.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· American· October 22, 2026

enzo81.xyz

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

1 hour

Total

1 hour 15 minutes

Serves

There is something so comforting about a big pot of chili bubbling away on the stove. This recipe is my absolute favorite because it is simple to make and has the perfect balance of savory beef, sweet tomatoes, and warm spices that everyone loves.

I grew up learning to cook from classic cookbooks, and I have spent years tweaking this recipe to get it just right. It is a reliable, filling meal that tastes even better as leftovers the next day, so do not be afraid to make a big batch.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
15 ounces red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup beef broth
Salt and black pepper to taste

10Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2
Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until they soften.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned.
5
Drain any excess fat from the pot if needed.
6
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper so the meat is well coated.
7
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir everything together.
8
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then turn the heat down to low.
9
Cover and let the chili simmer for at least 45 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
10
Taste and add salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Tips

Serve your chili hot with a generous pile of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. You can easily freeze this in airtight containers for up to three months for an easy dinner later.

#chili #dinner #beef #comfort food #stovetop

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