Rich and hearty homemade Beef Chili Recipe loaded with vegetables and beans is comfort food at its greatest! This (under 30-minute) chili recipe is going to become your go-to recipe for cooler weather.

Beef chili recipe in a bowl served with crackers on the side.

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Beef Chili Recipe

Ground meat and beans are the basis for a classic chili recipe. You can elevate the flavors of a traditional chili by adding vegetables so for this beef chili recipe, we added carrots and green peppers.

Make this your own by adding other diced vegetables you have on hand. These can include celery, mushrooms, zucchini or red peppers and can be added with the carrots and peppers.

Homemade Beef Chili in a pot

How to Make the Best Beef Chili?

  1. Brown ground meat, add diced onion and cook until onion is softened.
  2. Add carrots, green pepper and garlic. Cook until veggies are tender.
  3. Add diced tomatoes (with juice), broth, beans and ingredients for chili seasoning. Stir well. Simmer 15 min until vegetables and beans are tender.
  4. Turn off the heat and allow the chili to rest 5 minutes before serving.

TIP: If you don’t like chunky diced tomatoes, then finely cube or puree them before adding to the chili.

Ingredients for beef chili recipe

Step-by-step photos how to make chili.

Can Beef Chili be Frozen?

Yes, chili may be frozen. Cool chili completely and store in an air-tight container up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat to enjoy!

Since reheated chili tastes just as good as fresh, Chili may also be refrigerated and enjoyed for several days.

Chili Toppings:

This chili is a mild chili with the indicated seasonings, if you want a spicier chili, add more chili powder to taste. 🙂

Serve the beef chili with your favorite toppings of sour cream, cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, fresh cilantro or green onion.

Be adventurous and serve the hearty chili over a halved and pitted avocado or baked potato! So good and original.

Hearty chili in a bowl topped with sour cream and cheese.

More Cozy Cold Weather Recipes to Try:

Beef Chili Recipe

4.92 from 305 votes
A bowl of Beef chili in a bowl with a spoon
This rich and hearty homemade beef chili recipe loaded with vegetables and beans is comfort food at its greatest! 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 people

Beef Chili Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely cubed
  • 1 large carrot, cubed
  • ½ medium green bell pepper, cubed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 15.5 oz can kidney beans, , drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups beef broth

Chili Seasonings:

Instructions

  • Brown beef in a Dutch oven over med-high heat, breaking up the meat while stirring. 
  • Add onion and cook until tender.
  • Add diced carrot, bell pepper and minced garlic. Cook until vegetables are tender, stirring as needed. Drain excess fat.
  • Pour in diced tomatoes with juice, add beans, broth and seasonings. Stir well to combine.
  • Turn heat down to a gentle boil and allow chili to cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally (longer if meat and vegetables aren’t desired tenderness).
  • Taste chili and additional seasonings if needed. Turn off heat and allow chili to rest 5 minutes.

Nutrition Per Serving

366kcal Calories14g Carbs24g Protein23g Fat8g Saturated Fat80mg Cholesterol1057mg Sodium810mg Potassium4g Fiber4g Sugar1610IU Vitamin A13mg Vitamin C66mg Calcium3.9mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Beef Chili Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
366
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Cholesterol
 
80
mg
27
%
Sodium
 
1057
mg
46
%
Potassium
 
810
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
 
14
g
5
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
24
g
48
%
Vitamin A
 
1610
IU
32
%
Vitamin C
 
13
mg
16
%
Calcium
 
66
mg
7
%
Iron
 
3.9
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
Keyword: Beef Chili, Chili Recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 366
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Curling up with a bowl of hot chili in the winter is a real treat. What is YOUR favorite cold-weather comfort food?

4.92 from 305 votes (188 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Carolyna
    February 7, 2026

    It’s so easy to make! YUM!!

    Reply

  • Annie Stolberg
    January 28, 2026

    This has become our favorite recipe for chili!! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 28, 2026

      So happy to hear that, Annie!

      Reply

  • Deborah B
    January 23, 2026

    This is the best chilli EVER! Thank you for the recipe. ❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 23, 2026

      You’re very welcome, Deborah! So glad you loved it.

      Reply

  • Chey
    January 17, 2026

    Great tasty meal. I had fun preparing it, very simple.

    Reply

  • Chey
    January 17, 2026

    Easy to make and ingredients I spend for family of 8 $25. Less than going out to eat. Enough for 2 serving. Per person.

    Reply

  • Mila
    January 1, 2026

    Love this recipe , that’s the only chili I am making. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 2, 2026

      So great to hear that you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Hannah
    December 5, 2025

    Great recipe, tastes delicious! I personally liked that it was thinner than a typical chili recipe and don’t agree with the negative comments.

    Reply

  • Paula
    November 23, 2025

    More seasonings needed, and it’s really thin. Does Natasha try these out? I really wanted her recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 24, 2025

      HI Paula, if you prefer a heartier chili, try my Turkey Chili and replace with beef.

      Reply

    • Pam
      December 27, 2025

      I add Italian cooking sauce to it & that makes it thicker & its really delicious

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    November 22, 2025

    It’s an OK recipe. Just missing the tomato sauce/paste.

    Reply

  • Linda
    November 13, 2025

    Added about a 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce to this recipe!

    Reply

  • Julia
    November 11, 2025

    I typically love ALL Natasha’s Kitchen recipes and give them all 5 stars except this one. Just not a fan. Didn’t taste like a real chili. Turned out thin even after I added cornstarch to thicken up. The carrots are a strange add for chili. Will not make again and would not recommend. Too heavy on the meat, not enough beans.

    Reply

  • Amy Kincaid
    November 10, 2025

    Love this recipe! I add a few things for spice. I add hot rotel that I purée first, some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. We like things spicy around here! 🌶️

    Reply

  • Lori
    November 8, 2025

    Very simple recipe, yet so good. I did use rotel, chicken broth (all I had) and added smoked paprika. I’ve tried so many with so much stuff and they were good but this will be my go to chili! So versatile! Whenever I need a recipe I head to your site😊

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 8, 2025

      I’m so happy you found a favorite on my blog, Lori! That’s so great.

      Reply

  • Patti
    September 22, 2025

    Can I do this in my crock pot? Would it require any changes of the ingredients?

    Reply

  • Caitlin
    September 21, 2025

    The flavor was really good but it was really thin. I feel like it needs to be a thicker consistency. Would adding tomato paste help or are there other options?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 21, 2025

      Hello! 1-2 tbsp. of tomato paste can help thicken the consistency or you can use cornstarch or flour slurry.

      Reply

  • Robert Greene
    July 7, 2025

    can i make this in an instant pot? How long would it cook for?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 7, 2025

      Hi Robert, I haven’t tried this receip in an Instant pot, but I have an instant pot version of my white chicken chili.

      Reply

  • Matt Harris
    April 30, 2025

    If I wanted to add chickpeas to this recipe, what would be an appropriate portion?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 30, 2025

      I think it can be a good addition to the recipe. You may use canned chickpeas, rinse them well and you can add them during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking.

      Reply

  • Becky Roussin
    March 21, 2025

    You changed this recipe!!!! Where’s the old one I liked the old one

    Reply

  • Laurie
    February 1, 2025

    Awesome recipe!! We make this all the time, the only thing extra I add is a cinnamon stick!

    Reply

  • Nancy Karrer
    January 8, 2025

    Looks so good! Question what percentage of lean/fat of the beef do you recommend? And you don’t drain the fat, correct?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 8, 2025

      Hi Nancy, yes, we drain access in step #3. We used 80/20 for this recipe.

      Reply

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