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

4.95 from 293 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?

4.95 from 293 votes (188 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Cathleen Moses
    January 6, 2025

    This was so good. My husband loves it. We put tons of vegetables in it.

    Reply

  • JM
    December 10, 2024

    Delicious. It is more liquid-y than a traditional chili, but it is delicious. More like a chili soup. I did make a 1 TBS corn starch + broth slurry to thicken it ever so slightly and I did cook for more than an hour w/o lid. Can’t wait for the leftovers!

    Reply

  • Barbie
    December 5, 2024

    Hi Natasha. If I don’t have a green pepper or any other pepper would it still be good?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 6, 2024

      Hi Barbie! It adds good flavor but it will still be ok.

      Reply

  • Rose Cabral
    December 5, 2024

    I have made this several times at the request of my family. We love it and it is so easy to make and so yummy!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2024

      That’s wonderful to hear, Rose!

      Reply

  • Shari Clough
    November 16, 2024

    Made this tonight for dinner along with cornbread and honey! It was the best chili I’ve made! I carrots and a little green pepper as well! Natasha, you are right! It will be my “go to” recipe!!! Then again, every recipe we try of yours is ahhhhhhmazing!!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 16, 2024

      Aw! That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

  • Patricia Drozdoski
    November 12, 2024

    Hi what is a good side dish to serve with chili

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 12, 2024

      Hi Patricia, we love it on its own, but it is good with baked potato, a salad, maybe even corn bread. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Lucy Ann
    November 8, 2024

    As always, Natasha’s recipe is a success! Easy and delicious!

    Reply

  • Terri
    November 2, 2024

    I made this tonight and it was incredible. Even though I used half ground beef and half ground turkey it was delicious. I let it simmer for 75 minutes uncovered. I love your recipes and your cookbook

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 2, 2024

      Thank you so much, Terri!

      Reply

  • Nichole
    October 27, 2024

    How much is in one serving? I must have skipped over it somewhere! I love this recipe!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 27, 2024

      The serving size for this recipe is 8 people. You can divide the whole recipe to 8 to get the most accurate per serving size.

      Reply

  • Vaunda
    October 25, 2024

    What is the purpose of the sugar in chili

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 25, 2024

      Hi Vaunda! It helps with the flavor and to help cut the tangy/acidic nature of the tomatoes.

      Reply

  • Jen Feild
    October 19, 2024

    Very watery and I had to quadruple the seasoning.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 21, 2024

      Hi Jen, did you drain the beans and use the same type of tomatoes? Also, we cook this one uncovered to let the extra steam escape. I hope that helps you to troubleshoot.

      Reply

  • JoAnne
    October 14, 2024

    I made this chili tonight! Something different without tomato sauce or thick. 100% Hit! So delish and I garnished with sour cream and cheese. Very light and flavorful! My new Chili!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 14, 2024

      That’s so great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Steph
    September 30, 2024

    This is SO GOOD!!! Even with 93% lean ground beef it has such amazing flavor. I made a few minor tweaks: omitted carrots, added shishito and poblano pepper because I had them, subbed regular sugar for Splenda, added a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. It’s fantastic I can’t believe its Weight Watchers friendly – 5 points!

    Reply

  • Rebecca
    September 29, 2024

    I love the recipe, my go to chili one! can I throw this in crockpot as well?

    Reply

  • Joan
    May 2, 2024

    Hi Natasha!
    Thank you for your delicious and easy chili recipe. When I watch your videos, you always make me laugh. You are so adorable and funny!! I have your wonderful cookbook and love everything in it! ❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 2, 2024

      Thank you for your wonderful and lovely compliment, Joan! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply

  • Melissa
    March 22, 2024

    Great recipe. I have made it a few times and it always turns out so tasty!

    I modified it slightly:
    – I usually make a double or triple batch of the seasoning and leave it in a jar for next time. I like the chili very seasoned so I use more than the recipe calls for
    – add cocoa powder 1 teaspoon
    – split the beans 1/2 kidney 1/2 chickpeas

    Thanks so much our family loves the recipe!!

    Reply

  • Bryan
    February 1, 2024

    This is the best chili recipe! I used ground elk and it was fantastic. I shared it with my brothers and they loved it. I added some Jalapeños for a hint of spice. Thanks for this great recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 1, 2024

      That sounds delish! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Kellie
    January 27, 2024

    Currently eating this as I type! It’s delicious! I love all your recipes and frequently make them for meals to take to work! Thank you! 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 27, 2024

      I’m so glad, Kellie! Thank you!

      Reply

  • DJ
    January 20, 2024

    What’s the difference or en result between using this recipe and the Slow Cooker Chili – beside the slow cooker? Flavor?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 21, 2024

      Hi DJ! Yes, the recipes are a bit different so the flavor will not be quite the same. That and the convenience of being able to put it all together it in a slow cooker and just leave it.

      Reply

  • Nancy Doda
    January 7, 2024

    Excellent flavor but mine was watery. I couldn’t get water to reduce at 30 mins.
    Cooked covered then uncovered but still too much liquid. Hmm.
    Will try again, and reduce salt.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 7, 2024

      You may adjust the broth on your next try.

      Reply

    • Diana Freeman.
      January 13, 2024

      I only added 1 cup Beef Broth making this chili for taco salad and they were so good!!

      Reply

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