My best Chili Recipe highlights layers of flavors, including a surprise ingredient you might not have considered before—cocoa powder! It doesn’t make the chili sweet, but rather deepens those savory notes and adds a richness to the sauce. Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to making chili without it!

Once there’s a chill in the air and the wind starts to blow, I automatically want to start eating warm, comforting meals like soups and homemade chili. There’s just something so satisfying about ladling out a cup of chili on a cold winter night, and adding all the fixings.

I know everyone has their favorite chili recipe, but if you’re looking for something to win that next chili cook-off, give this recipe a try! They’ll be raving about your chili, and you’ll smile knowing how easy it is to make.

Why I Love Making My Easy Chili Recipe

• I find chili to be so satisfying, with meat, beans, savory spices, and slow-cooked flavors.
• It’s customizable! I can spice it up, keep it simple, make it meaty or vegetarian, and even top it with all sorts of favorite toppings.
• I make chili when I need to feed a lot of people, as it’s easy to make in large batches. I love to have it for game days, parties, and even meal prep to keep in the freezer for later!
• It reminds me of my childhood. I love to make recipes that have been in the family for generations, and this easy chili recipe is one you’ll want to pass down to your kids and grandkids!

Chili Recipe Ingredients

To make this homemade chili, you need a handful of fragrant spices, but there’s nothing too fancy on this list. Here are the simple ingredients of my shopping list:

• Olive oil- I need this for cooking my aromatics.
• Onion- I prefer my onion chopped very finely, but small chunks are okay too.
• Garlic- I mince about two cloves, but you can add more or less according to your preference.
• Ground meat- I use extra lean ground beef and drain off any excess fat.
• Stewed tomatoes- I use these to add some bulk to my chili sauce.
• Kidney beans- I throw these in, liquid and all!
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes- I love the flavor this adds to the sauce. You can also use Rotel tomatoes with chiles for even more of a kick!
• Tomato sauce- I always have this in my pantry!

Now come the spices! Here’s what I use: for chili seasoning

• Chili powder
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Kosher salt

Please review the printable recipe card at the end of the post for a detailed list of ingredients!

How to Make My Classic Chili Recipe

I use a large saucepan to make this chili, though you could also use a deep, large skillet.

1. First, I pour my olive oil into the pan and let it heat. When it’s hot, I add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and saute until soft and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Next, I add the ground beef to my aromatics and cook until it’s completely browned, which takes me 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease if desired.
3. Now I add these ingredients as follows: stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. I mix all these together, breaking up the stewed tomatoes as I stir. I bring this mixture to a boil, then cover and lower the heat to let It simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
4. Finally, I add the kidney beans with the liquid, then let the chili cook for an additional 20 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally. Don’t add the kidney beans too early, or they’ll be mush by the end!
5. I serve my chili with a choice of toppings, like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, Fritos, and green onions. It’s also perfect to spoon over baked potatoes or on hot dogs to make chili dogs! What else would you add?

FAQs

Do I have to add cocoa powder to my chili?

It may seem like an odd ingredient, but I promise you, it works! It adds such a nice depth to the flavor of the chili, making it one of the best I’ve ever had! If you don’t have any cocoa powder, it’s okay to omit it, but if you have it on hand, use it!

How do I store leftover Chili?

I store my chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure it cools completely before storing it.

For longer storage, I transfer my cooled chili to these convenient 2-cup Souper Cubes, and and freeze it for up to 3 months. They’re silicone, and when frozen, the contents come out easily and the portion sizes are perfect. It makes a great choice for meal prep, so you can freeze it in one large batch or in individual portions. Check out their other products for more storage options, too!

I thaw my chili overnight in the fridge, then heat it up in the microwave or on a stovetop for best results.

How do I make this recipe vegetarian?

If you omit the ground beef, you have vegetarian chili! You can use other beans in place of the ground beef, or just double the amount of kidney beans. Use chili beans, pinto beans, black beans, or cannelloni beans.

What are some other recipe variations?

• Sometimes I dice and cook a green pepper with my other aromatics so they get nice and soft by the end of the cooking process.
• For a lower-fat version, I like to use ground turkey. You can’t even tell the difference in flavor!
• If you don’t like the starchiness of the bean water, you can drain them and use tap water instead. I like what it adds to the chili, so I don’t drain my beans.
• You can get extra veggies in your chili by sauteing them and then blending them to add to the sauce (or you can just dice them and cook them along with everything else.
• You can simmer your chili longer for even more flavor. I like to cook it on low in a slow cooker for about 3 hours.

More Comfort Food Recipes

If you enjoy a good comfort food recipe like this Chili Recipe, then try one of these recipes next time:

• With my mom’s homemade Lasagna Recipe, I promise you’ll fall in love with just one bite. Layers of lasagna noodles, mozzarella cheese, homemade meat sauce, and ricotta and Parmesan cheeses make this family favorite THE ultimate comfort food with plenty for everyone! It’s also a great way to feed a crowd, or you can freeze the leftovers.
• This easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is made of ground beef, veggies, and corn in a delicious gravy topped with mashed potatoes that, after cooking, become slightly crisp when broiled.
• What better way to reuse those cherished leftovers than with a steaming, creamy, and utterly satisfying Turkey Noodle Casserole? It’s classic comfort food in a casserole dish. Whip up this easy family favorite casserole for dinner tonight!
• Inspired by the classic flavors of stuffed bell peppers, this Stuffed Pepper Soup is a thick, hearty soup with tender pieces of onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, ground beef, and soft rice. Enjoy a comforting bowl of this flavorful soup on a cool fall evening or any time you need an easy meal for the whole family!
• This Classic Meatloaf Recipe is one the whole family will enjoy. With a sweet, tangy sauce on top, this dinner recipe is comfort food at its finest when paired with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or used for a sandwich.

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