Easy Classic Homemade Chili

How to Make the Best Homemade Chili from Scratch

Making delicious and flavourful chili from scratch at home is incredibly simple and easy. All you need are a few basic ingredients such as ground beef, spices, onion, red kidney beans, a couple of cans of diced tomatoes and some tomato paste. With those very basic ingredients, you can create an amazingly flavourful and tummy-satisfying chili, but you can add other ingredients if you like, such as corn (like I do!)

To make chili from scratch, bring by browning the ground beef in your pot, then add the spices and onions. Then it's just a matter of adding the rest of the ingredients to the pot and letting them simmer on the stove for at least 45 minutes – I prefer longer, though, as the flavours will have more time to develop.

For the full details on making chili, scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe. 😊

Do you drain the beef for homemade chili?

In most cases, it's recommended NOT to drain the beef used for chili. The fat and liquids from the beef contain a lot of flavour and are important for contributing to that yummy chili flavour that you expect.

When I make chili, I typically use medium ground or lean ground beef, so excess fat has already been removed. Draining the fat and liquid, in this case, would remove a lot of the flavour.

If you really want to remove more fat from the chili, you can skim any excess off the top once it has finished cooking, but it's not necessary.

What is a secret ingredient for chili?

Over time I've heard many different stories about secret ingredients used in different homemade chili recipes. I've heard of people using specific types of hot peppers, different types of tomatoes and even beer as their magic ingredient.

One unusual secret ingredient that many people swear by is baking soda! Sounds strange, right? Apparently, a sprinkle of baking soda to your pot of chili will help the beef retain its moisture and help keep the sauce thicker. I've tried this a few times myself, and honestly, I haven't really noticed a considerable difference when I don't use it. 🤷‍♀️ Next time you make chili, give it a try and let me know if you notice a difference! 

On the other hand, one “secret ingredient” that I personally swear by is lime juice! I love to serve chili with wedges of lime on the side. A little squirt over top of chili before serving adds something so magical to the flavour and really helps balance its richness. It's soooo good! If you haven't tried lime juice on your chili yet, please do! 😋

What liquid do you put in chili?

For the simple classic chili recipe in this post, the only liquid required comes from the ground beef juices, from the diced tomatoes, onions,, and other ingredients added. It's not necessary to add water, stock or any other liquid to this recipe, as doing so will make it too watery. 

What are the best beans to use for chili?

For this recipe, I use red kidney beans. I find that their texture and size are perfect for a rich, hearty chili. You could also try using pinto beans or black beans in chili if you like. 

How to Thicken Chili

If you find that your chili isn't thick enough and comes out too watery there are a couple ways to fix this. 

1. My preferred method – Cook longer while uncovered (lid off) to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
2. Make a slurry of cornstarch and water and combine with the chili. 
3. Add more beans and cook for a while longer. The starchiness of the beans helps to thicken the chili. 
4. Mash the chili a couple times with a potato masher. You should only have to do this a small amount in order to get a thicker texture. 

Variations to consider when Making Homemade Chili

I've loaded this recipe up with some lean ground beef, kidney beans, corn, onions and some seasonings.  You could try adding some different ingredients such as mushrooms, or you could even try using ground chicken instead of beef. It's up to you! 🙂

If you like your chili a little more spicy, you can try adjusting the seasonings to your taste. The recipe as it is will give a nice kick but it won't be overwhelming – just warm and delicious yumminess!

How to make homemade Chili in a Slow cooker or Pressure Cooker

Making chili in a slow cooker or pressure cooker is easy peasy! Just brown your ground beef first and then add the rest of the ingredients. In the recipe at the bottom of the page, I've included detailed instructions of how to make chili in an instant pot/pressure cooker and slow cooker/crock pot. 😊

What do you top chili with?

Here are some delicious topping ideas for chili:

• sour cream
• shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• chopped green onions
• chopped fresh cilantro
• lime wedges, for squeezing on top of the chili (this is one of my favourite things to go with chili!!)
• corn chips or crushed tortilla chips
• sliced avocado
• sliced pickled jalapeños

What goes well with chili for dinner?

Chili makes for an amazing meal by itself, but you can make it even more amazing by adding some incredible sides. Below are a few ideas on what to serve with chili for dinner:

• Cornbread
• Rice – especially Spanish-style rice (I'm working on a recipe for this, so stay tuned!)
• Coleslaw
• Pub style potato Wedges
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Chunky Guacamole
• Fresh green salad
• Sweet potato fries