This is the BEST Chili Recipe! Made with bacon (and the option to omit if necessary) and ground beef and simmered on the stove for just 30 minutes, this is my family's go-to cold weather comfort food. It's even better when paired with a side of buttermilk cornbread!
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT20M
Total time: PT30M
Rating
4.97 stars (2142 reviews)
Keywords
best chili recipe, chili, chili recipe, fall recipes
Ingredients
5 strips uncooked bacon (chopped¹)
1 large yellow onion (diced (about 1 cup))
1 red bell pepper (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced (about 1 Tablespoon))
1 lb ground beef ((455g) (I use 90% but any will work))
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon chili powder²
1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder²
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper³
1 ¼ cup beef broth ((295ml))
15 oz can dark red kidney beans (lightly rinsed and drained (425g))
15 oz can black beans (lightly rinsed and drained (425))
14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes (undrained (411g))
Place chopped (uncooked) bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crisp and cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and drain all but 1 ½ Tablespoons of grease.
Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper) and stir well.
Add all remaining ingredients -- beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce -- and your cooked bacon and stir well.
Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavor to really develop.
Serve with preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips are a must!)
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving (not including toppings)
Calories: 611 kcal
Carbohydrates: 72 g
Protein: 40 g
Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sodium: 1315 mg
Sugar: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
Reviews
Marcelle on 2026-06-23 (5 stars): I have made this several times and love it!
Cj on 2026-06-20 (5 stars): I am currently making a quadruple batch for the second time and canning it. the first batch went super quick and only have 1 quart jar left. thank you for an awesome recipe.
Mindy Iannelli on 2026-06-20 (5 stars): I rarely leave reviews either but this is well deserving!
Mindy on 2026-06-20 (5 stars): This is by far the BEST chili I have ever made! I was a bit nervous trying a new recipe and making two pounds of meat (I love to always cook extra of everything, less nights of cooking), but I am so darn happy I did because I can’t wait to eat this again! I was also super glad I had just bought bacon. I never would have thought to add bacon to chili but it was delicious! The Worcestershire really adds great flavor so don’t skip it!
Dwayne Ernst on 2026-06-16 (5 stars): Best chili recipe ever. I used 80/20 ground beef and the only thing I did slightly different is I added a couple more slices of chopped bacon and used all of that good rendered bacon fat. Didn't have any brown sugar so just added sugar and a tablespoon of molasses. Made lots of chili recipes for over 40 years and this is hands down #1. My wife definitely agrees. Thanks so much for this amazing recipe!
Lisa Racine on 2026-06-06 (5 stars): I love love this recipe, I did tie for 2nd at my church's chili cookoff. It was delicious. I did double the recipe and instead of kidney beans, I used S& W pinto beans with seasoning.
Glenn H Sprague on 2026-05-29 (5 stars): I won my church's chili cook off using this recipe. Followed the instructions to a "T". It was so tasty and flavorful I feel like a master chef now!!
CHRISTOPHER HAAG on 2026-05-27 (5 stars): Used smoked and regular chili powder-what I had on hand. Followed recipe as directed. Absolutely amazing! I normally do not take the time to leave reviews. This one is worth trying. And who doesn't love bacon!!
John Charles Anderson on 2026-05-23 (5 stars): I've been making chili from those little packages at the grocery store for most my life. This seasoning blend is perfect - tried and true. I don't need the package anymore. Thank you !
Devin on 2026-05-17 (5 stars): I used this recipe as a base for a chili cook-off at work. I made minor adjustments to some spice levels but ultimately I won the popular vote. Thank you.
Kerri on 2026-05-02 (5 stars): Absolutely delicious and easy to make
Jane on 2026-04-28 (5 stars): I made a double batch of this amazing chili and it's hands-down the BEST I've ever made or had! I literally threw away my other chili recipes!
