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.
This easy chili recipe is perfect for a cold winter’s day, your football party, and is also freezer friendly. Once it cools, pack up in quart deli-containers. (available at your local restaurant supply store or on Amazon)
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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Classic Beef Chili
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
Nutrition
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Mairi says
Oh I love this recipe so much – real delicious, hearty food is where its at. Perfect for getting me through winter. I’m going to save this and try this one at home! 🙂
Helena says
Well, it will be perfect for my Hubbie’s patty. I love bread bowls and your tips are really helpful. Thank you!
Britt | Sweet Tea and Thyme says
Looks so delish! Putting chili in a bread bowl is a great idea; this whole recipe just screams comfort.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
I’ve never put black beans in my chili before, but I bet that’s really good. There’s nothing like a bowl of steaming chili on a cold day!
Jaime says
My husband would love this! Do you think it is freezer friendly? I love making big batches and portioning them out for the freezer for quick meals.
Jessica Robinson says
Absolutely! Go ahead and make the batch of chili. Let it cool, put in quart/pint deli containers and freeze it! That will make quick meals super easy and still homemade!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This is a great recipe for chili! Nothing beats a delicious homemade chili!