Name: Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 1 lb ground beef; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp chili powder; 1 tbsp cumin; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1.5 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; pinch cayenne powder; 1 15oz can diced tomatoes; 1 15oz can tomato sauce; 1 15oz can pinto beans; 1 15oz can kidney beans; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp honey; 2 cups beef broth; Sour cream; Greek yogurt; Cheese; Green onion; Fritos; Cilantro

If you’re craving something warming, filling, and downright delicious, you’ve got to try this Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe. When I first made this chili, I was so surprised by how simple it was to pull together yet packed with layers of flavor that make every bite comforting and satisfying. This recipe is the kind of dish you can make on a busy weeknight or a laid-back weekend, and either way, it never disappoints. So grab your favorite pot and let’s get cooking something truly special.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re not a seasoned cook, you’ll find this chili straightforward and quick to prepare.
Hearty and Filling: Packed with ground beef and beans, it’s perfect for satisfying hungry appetites.
Versatile Flavors: A balance of spices and tomato richness that you can easily tweak to your taste.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family actually goes crazy for this, and it’s perfect for game days or potlucks.

The image shows a white bowl filled with thick chili, dark brown with visible kidney beans and small green herbs mixed in. On top, there is a dollop of white sour cream at the center, surrounded by thin yellow shredded cheese and curved, crunchy-looking yellow corn chips. Chopped green onions and finely chopped green herbs are sprinkled over the sour cream and cheese. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the left side. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with scattered green herbs and a small white bowl with extra chopped green onions nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hearty Beef Chili, easy beef chili recipe, comforting chili bowl, quick beef chili, best beef chili recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe come together like the perfect team. Each adds a little something special — whether it’s the warmth from chili powder or the richness from beef broth — you’ll find that these staples are easy to find and pantry-friendly too.

Flat lay of a small puddle of golden olive oil served in a simple white ceramic bowl, one whole small yellow onion with a few cubes diced next to it, a mound of fresh raw ground beef, three whole garlic bulbs, two small white ceramic bowls containing vibrant red chili powder and light brown cumin powder, two smaller white ceramic bowls with pale beige garlic powder and bright white salt crystals, a tiny pinch of bright red cayenne powder in a white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl holding vivid red diced fresh tomatoes, another white bowl with smooth bright red tomato paste, two separate white ceramic bowls filled with plump pinto beans and glossy dark red kidney beans, a small white bowl with clear golden honey, and a white bowl with rich brown beef broth, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Hearty Beef Chili, easy beef chili recipe, comforting chili bowl, quick beef chili, best beef chili recipe

Olive oil: Helps soften the onions and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
Yellow onion: Adds great foundational sweetness and depth when sauteed.
Ground beef: Choose lean or regular ground beef depending on how rich you want it.
Garlic: Fresh garlic makes all the difference — don’t skimp here!
Chili powder: The star spice that delivers that classic chili kick.
Cumin: Brings a warm, earthy note that complements the beef beautifully.
Garlic powder: Enhances the garlic flavor with a mild punch.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
Cayenne powder: Just a pinch to add some heat — adjust to your spice tolerance.
Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and freshness.
Tomato sauce: For a thick, saucy texture.
Pinto and kidney beans: Both add great texture and protein — canned works fine!
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the chili.
Honey: Balances acidity with a touch of sweetness.
Beef broth: Adds richness and depth, turning this into a hearty stew.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I absolutely love about this Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe is how flexible it is. You can tweak it all sorts of ways to fit what you have on hand or your family’s preferences—making it truly your own.

Spicy Version: Once, I doubled the cayenne and added chopped jalapeños for a seriously fiery chili that my spice-loving friends adored.
Vegetarian Swap: If you want to skip beef, try doubling the beans and adding chopped mushrooms—they add a meaty texture that works surprisingly well.
Slow Cooker Adaptation: Throw everything except the honey in the slow cooker and cook low for 6-8 hours; stir in honey at the end.
Bean-Free Chili: For a low-carb version, just leave out the beans and add extra veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.

How to Make Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe

Step 1: Build Your Flavor Base

Start by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add diced yellow onion and sweat it for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent—that little step makes a huge difference in flavor. Then, toss in the ground beef and cook until it’s just browned (another 2-3 minutes). Adding the minced garlic last here prevents it from burning and keeps its bright aroma alive.

Step 2: Spice It Up

Once the meat is nicely browned and everything smells amazing, sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and just a pinch of cayenne powder. Stir everything together well so the spices coat the meat evenly. This step helps those flavors bloom and makes your chili taste extra homemade.

Step 3: Add the Tomatoes, Beans, and Broth

Now, pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pinto beans, kidney beans, tomato paste, honey, and beef broth. Stir it all until evenly mixed. The honey is my secret weapon—it mellows the acidity from the tomatoes in such a lovely way without making the chili sweet. Bring everything to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Let It Simmer

Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and let the chili simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. This simmer time allows the flavors to marry and the chili to thicken perfectly. I like to give it a quick taste near the end to adjust salt or spice if needed—trust your palate here!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle your chili into bowls and top with whatever you love—whether it’s sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or something crunchy like Fritos. When I serve this to guests, the toppings bar always squeezes out a big smile!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe

Brown the Beef Well: I learned that properly browning the ground beef before adding spices amps up the flavor and avoids that “steamed” taste.
Don’t Rush the Simmer: Even though it’s tempting, letting the chili cook at a low simmer allows all those flavors to really come together beautifully.
Fresh Garlic vs. Powder: Using fresh garlic for sautéing then garlic powder in the spice mix adds a nice layered garlic flavor that I adore.
Taste and Adjust at the End: Chili is super forgiving—taste near the end of cooking and adjust salt or add more chili powder if you want it punchier.

How to Serve Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe

The image shows three white bowls filled with rich, dark red chili with visible beans and minced meat. Each bowl is topped with a dollop of white sour cream in the center, surrounded by bright yellow strips of cheddar cheese and curled, crunchy, light golden corn chips. Small pieces of chopped green onion and fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered on top, adding a fresh touch. Around the bowls, there are lime wedges and extra chopped green onions in small white bowls on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding a spoon in the bottom right bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hearty Beef Chili, easy beef chili recipe, comforting chili bowl, quick beef chili, best beef chili recipe

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishes, I’m a simple but bold fan. A dollop of cool sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt balances the heat and richness perfectly. A sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese immediately melts into the warm chili, adding comfort in every bite. Fresh green onions and a handful of crispy Fritos bring texture and freshness—trust me, these toppings make lunchtime feel festive!

Side Dishes

I usually serve this Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe alongside some buttery cornbread or warm tortilla chips. A simple green salad with a light citrus vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely, too. For cold evenings, some roasted veggies or even a baked potato are fantastic companions.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love turning this chili into chili bar setups—where guests can pile on their favorite toppings and get creative. Another fun presentation is serving the chili in small bread bowls or halved baked potatoes for an eye-catching twist. It always feels a little more festive and inviting these ways.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chili in airtight containers in the fridge, and it stays well for up to 4 days. A tip I discovered is to let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes before refrigerating, so it stays fresher longer.

Freezing

This Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe freezes beautifully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it keeps for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to eat it, I thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture, but you can also defrost it gently on the stove if you’re short on time.

Reheating

I like reheating this chili over low heat on the stove to avoid drying it out. Stir occasionally and add a splash of beef broth or water if it thickens too much. In a pinch, the microwave works fine—just cover loosely and stir halfway through to heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the beef and sauté the onions and garlic first, then add everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add honey near the end to retain its subtle sweetness.
What can I use instead of ground beef?

You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat substitutes if you prefer. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure your protein is fully cooked.
Can I make this chili spicier?

Yes! Increase the cayenne powder, add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for smoky heat. Just add gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
Is this chili freezer-friendly?

Definitely. This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. Freeze in individual portions for easy thawing and reheat gently for best taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Hearty Beef Chili Recipe has truly earned a spot in my regular meal rotation. It’s approachable for cooks of all levels, delivers comforting, rich flavors that my family devours, and it’s flexible enough to switch up based on what I have in the kitchen. I encourage you to give it a try—once you do, I’m confident you’ll be reaching for this pot of chili again and again on chilly nights or anytime you want that soul-soothing hug in a bowl.