Classic Chili Recipe

Homemade traditional chili is made with ground beef, pork, beans, onions, bell peppers, bacon, and chili seasoning.

Over the years I’ve perfected my chili recipe and wanted to bring you my BEST Chili Recipe ever! This delicious chili can be made in either your Dutch oven on the stovetop or in your slow cooker.

I’ve used canned red kidney beans and black beans in this chili recipe. But, you can use whatever type of beans you prefer. Just be sure and drain the beans first before adding to the pot.

How to make Classic Chili

Step 1: Brown the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set on a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.

Step 2: Drain all but 1 tablespoon or so of the bacon fat. Saute the onions and peppers in the fat, just until translucent.

Step 3: Add the ground beef and pork and brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat with a large spoon and discard. Season with salt and ground pepper.

Step 4: Once the meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine. Season again with salt and ground pepper if needed. Place in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 45 minutes to an hour.

If you’re throwing a football party and feeling ambitious, you can try your hand at my Sourdough bread and make it into bread bowls!

Fore more Dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, be sure and check out Beef Stew recipe, Loaded Potato Soup, Beef Tips with Mushrooms, Easy Pulled Pork, and Boeuf Bourguignon.

Toppings for homemade Chili

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Diced Tomatoes
• Jalapeno Slices
• Ritz crackers or Oyster crackers

Looking for more ideas to feed a crowd for your tailgating party? Try Easy Pulled Pork, Honey Buffalo Chicken, and Bacon Cheeseburgers topped with Buttermilk Onion Rings.

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5 from 4 votes

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Classic Beef Chili

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr 5 mins

Homemade Beef Chili is packed full of flavor. Easy to make in either your Dutch oven or slow cooker.

Course: dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 843kcal

Author: Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 to 2 ½ pounds ground round or chuck
• ▢ 1 pound ground pork
• ▢ 8-10 slices bacon cut into 2-inch pieces
• ▢ 2 medium onions diced
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper diced
• ▢ 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
• ▢ 1 29-ounce can tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste
• ▢ 1 (15.5-ounce) can dark red kidney beans (drained)
• ▢ 2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans (drained)
• ▢ salt and black pepper to taste
• ▢ 3 (1.25-ounce) packets of McCormick original Chili seasoning
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Cooking Chili in Dutch Oven

• Brown the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set on a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
• Drain all but 1 tablespoon or so of the bacon fat. Saute the onions and peppers in the fat, just until translucent.
• Add the ground beef and pork and brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat with a large spoon and discard. Season with salt and ground pepper.
• Once the meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine. Season again with salt and ground pepper if needed. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Serve with crusty French bread slices and top with sour cream and shredded cheese. Top with jalapeno pepper slices if desired.

Cooking Chili in Slow Cooker

• Brown the bacon on the stove, in a pan. Drain on paper towels.
• Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker, including the cooked bacon. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Or cook on high for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally to mix all the ingredients well. Drain off any fat with a large spoon.
• Serve with crusty French bread slices and top with sour cream and shredded cheese. Top with jalapeno pepper slices if desired.

Recipe Notes

Chili seasoning:

Rather than buying packets of chili seasoning, if you prefer, BJ’s sells the large container of McCormick’s Chili seasoning. Just follow the directions on the package and measure approximately ¼ cup per pound of meat.

Nutrition

Calories: 843kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 924mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 662IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 6mg

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