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 (2157 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
Christian Suleski on 2026-08-08 (5 stars): Best ever
Darren on 2026-08-07 (5 stars): This recipe is delicious, I followed all the steps and ingredients.
Karen on 2026-07-29 (5 stars): I made this for a casual dinner party. everyone said it was the best they ever tasted.
J Spurling on 2026-07-26 (3 stars): The recipe as is fell flat. I added 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder. I won a competition with it as changed.
Gina on 2026-07-22 (4 stars): Very good! I’ll make it again. Next time I won’t rush and I’ll cook the bacon crispy.
Jamie Sweeney, Realtor on 2026-07-19 (5 stars): This is my go-to chili recipe, and I always double the batch so we have plenty of leftovers. It doesn’t matter whether it’s hot or cold outside—a big bowl of this chili is the ultimate comfort food. We love serving it with avocado, olives, tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheese. I just made another batch today and froze some for an easy dinner on another night. It’s a family favorite that never disappoints!
Emma on 2026-07-17 (5 stars): This is actually the best chili recipe and I've had a lot of chili. It was so flavorful, the perfect consistency, and SO easy to make.
Aliza on 2026-07-16 (5 stars): This recipe is perfection!
