Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (2024)

By Katrina 8 Comments

Happy New Year! Yeah, I’m aware, it’s the 10th of January already. What can I say other than it appears this year is going to start off exactly the same as last year: behind schedule. So, I’m kicking off the new(ish) year with my easy homestyle chili recipe, a post I had originally planned to get up in December. Classic Katrina.

Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (1)

I’m sitting here today in the kitchen and it is gross outside. It’s been snowing for 15 hours straight and while it was cold before the wind kicked up, with the wind it’s straight up medieval. Just venturing outside to take the kids to school was pure torture. It was almost as bad as staring at these pictures of chili is when I’m hungry. Especially considering I’ll be spending the night in a hockey arena trying to shovel fries in my mouth before they freeze.

Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (2)

What I’m trying to tell you is that I wish I had a bowl of this chili in front of me right now. Or that I had been smart and frozen the leftovers like I usually do, instead of leaving them in a rubbermaid in the fridge to pick at over three days. Oh the annoying gift of hindsight.

Every Chili Has A Story

My Nana used to always have chili for us in the winter. And her freezer was like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag. If you wanted chili and it wasn’t on the stove, there was always enough in the freezer for dinner. It was nothing special, lots of beans and lots of meat. But isn’t that exactly what chili is supposed to be? Nothing special, but everything you need on a chilly winter night.

Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (3)

That’s where I finally ended up after making our own family chili recipe. I say ended up because I remember in the early days when I was all “Oh, my chili has chocolate in it, it enhances the flavour so much”, and then it was “I buy imported dried chilies to make my own chili powder, you can’t find the same quality in a bottle”. Yes, I know how pretentious that sounds. Don’t worry, I came to my senses, and now it’s “I have three kids and sleep 4 hours a night, who the hell has time to do more than open up a handful of cans”.

Side note: Those damn imported dried chilis I had? They f*cking had pantry moth larvae in them, and ended up infesting my entire kitchen. #NeverAgain

This Bread Is Great For Chili Dipping!

Let’s get to this super easy chili recipe!

I really mean it when I say this is easy to make. The hardest part is just chopping up a few vegetables (onion, pepper, and celery). If we’re being honest, you can buy a frozen mix of those three things and just dump them in. Boom. Even easier. Outside of that it’s just browning some ground beef and pork, and opening a ton of cans. Enough explaining, here’s your recipe!

Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (5)

Easy Homestyle Chili

Yield: 16 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

An easy, homestyle chili recipe that's full of flavour, and as simple as dumping a bunch of stuff into a pot and letting it simmer.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 pounds medium ground beef (can also use lean)
  • 2 pounds Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 4 (15 oz) cans chili beans (can also use spicy ones)
  • 2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers, diced
  • 4 cubes beef bouillon
  • 1 cup beer (any kind you like, I go pale ale)
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (can use regular paprika too)
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce (I use Franks red hot)

Instructions

  1. Heat a very large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat as required, until evenly browned.
  2. Add the beans, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir to mix the tomato paste in. Add all the other ingredients, stir, then cover simmer over low heat for at least two hours. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste. You can adjust the seasonings before serving if you want (more salt or peppers).

Notes

We always serve this with some shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. Corn chips go great too.

This makes a giant batch, and I like to freeze half of it. It'll keep for 6 months in the freezer.

Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (6)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. andre fosh

    This looks very cool. Can I use white sugar in place of the brown sugar? I don't think I can get brown sugar around here.

    Reply

    • Katrina

      Hey Andre - do you have molasses? Add 1 tbsp of molasses to it as well if you do and you'll get the same flavour :)

      Reply

  2. YourFriendPablo

    Great, I really like it! Youre awesome

    Reply

  3. Rita C. Donnell

    Hi Katrina . I love your chili presentation. I will try it tomorrow for my family. Thanks for vague less sharing.

    Reply

  4. Zaid

    Yummy, I like the spicy food thanks for sharing I will try it on my home

    Reply

  5. Mathew Barnes

    I made this recipe for the first time tonight, and it was a big hit with my family. It’s really delicious and so versatile! Thanks for all the great recipes and easy to follow instructions! I really enjoy your site.

    Reply

  6. Anonymous

    Have you tried this without beans?

    Reply

Let me know below!

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Easy Delicious Homestyle Chili Recipe | Kitchen Trials (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What is traditional chili vs homestyle chili? ›

According to the International Chili Society, created in 1967 to govern the World Championship Chili Cook-Off, a traditional red chili may have any meat (or combination of meats), red chili peppers, and spices. No beans are allowed. In a homestyle chili, though, there can be meat (or meats), beans, and other veggies.

How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›

In a pot of chili, just a few strips of bacon add a smoky, meaty depth. And it's not just the bacon itself that adds flavor, it's the bacon fat, too. Before you start your recipe, cook 3 to 4 strips of thick-cut bacon until they're as crispy as you like.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

What can I add to chili to make it unique? ›

5 Secret Ingredients That'll Take Your Chili to the Next Level
  1. Cocoa Powder. Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. ...
  2. Beer. Why use water or stock as your liquid when you could add beer? ...
  3. Coffee. ...
  4. Cinnamon.
Sep 12, 2021

What liquid is best for chili? ›

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato sauce is not a strong a taste as tomato paste. Also, sauce will increase the liquid content of your chili ever so slightly. Tomato paste has a more full, rich, tomato taste and smell. Using either one is appropriate, but you will need to tweak your seasonings to suit your personal tastes, anyway.

Who makes chili bowl homestyle chili? ›

Founded in 1947, the company's mission is to provide high quality, home-style products that empower restaurants and keep diners coming back for more. The Texas chili bowl is a homestyle chili that is sure to satisfy any craving for great chili. Contact: Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc.

What state does not put beans in chili? ›

Of course, those results might make you cringe if you're from the Lone Star State — Texas chili is famously bean-free. Still, no-bean chili remains the favorite of many chili fans, accounting for 13.4% of our survey respondents.

Why is Cincinnati chili so good? ›

In the Cincinnati region, chili is done differently. In place of chunks of meat and sizeable beans, you'll get savory soupiness and creative accoutrements like spaghetti, hot dogs and mustard. In place of an overtly tomato-y base, you'll taste hints of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and maybe even chocolate.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

What are the best beans to use for homemade chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

What spices make chili hotter? ›

Spicier chili: to make chili even spicier, don't remove the ribs or seeds from the jalapeño. You can also add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or dice up another hot chili pepper. I recommend trying the recipe as stated and letting the flavors sit for a few hours before adding additional spice.

How important is oregano in chili? ›

Oregano is an important herb in chilli con carne. The oregano that you'll most commonly find is the Mediterranean kind, commonly found in Greek and Italian cooking.

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