Congratulations, you’ve found the actual BEST Chili Recipe! It’s won dozens of cook-offs and is about to knock your socks off. Made with bacon (and the option to omit bacon if needed) and ground beef and simmered on the stove for just 30 minutes, this is my family’s go-to cool weather comfort food.
Chili Cook-Off Champion!
Something savory/cozy for you today because believe it or not Fall is here, which means cold weather and hearty comfort foods like baked ziti, my favorite meatball recipe, and this best chili recipe!
This recipe is actually one that I shared last year, and since then I’ve made it probably 50 times. Not only am I completely obsessed with it, as of this writing it’s also won over two dozen Chili Cook-offs! While I’ve never entered it into a cook-off myself, so many of you who have tried this chili recipe have commented or e-mailed me that it’s taken home first place and I don’t even know how to express how happy that makes me!
So, yeah, I do feel a little bit extra proud of this chili cook-off champ recipe right here.
Not only does it taste amazing, it’s shockingly simple to make. Basic, no-fuss ingredients and just 30 minutes of simmering yield a complex and rich flavor that’s simply unparalleled.
This best chili recipe (alternating weekly with my potato soup) is on regular dinner rotation for me as soon as the weather starts to dip below 70 degrees. It’s easy to make, incredibly filling, and the flavor is out of this world.
Let’s get started.
How to Make the Actual Best Chili Recipe
- Start with bacon! Cook until crisp, remove to a paper-towel lined plate, and reserve a bit of the grease for cooking your veggies. The flavor that develops from this step elevates a great chili recipe to the best chili recipe.
- Cook your onion and pepper until soft, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add your ground beef, cook until mostly browned (but not all the way cooked through).
- Add all your seasonings.
- Stir well, cooking beef through.
- Add the remaining ingredients (and your bacon from step 1!), give everything a good stir, and allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes and until liquid is reduced.
Tip: Make your chili even better by choosing the right toppings when you serve it! Sour cream is a must, but shredded cheddar, corn chips, sliced jalapeรฑos, avocado, or green onions are all great choices, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container for at least 3 months.
Kind of. For best flavor, you will still need to follow steps 1-4 of the recipe as written, then you can transfer everything to the crockpot and heat it there (I don’t add the bacon back in until I’m ready to serve). Cook on low until ready to serve.
The bacon imparts an incredible flavor and is the secret ingredient that makes this chili the best chili recipe and an award winner. If you’re entering a cook-off, use it! However, you can leave it out if you absolutely must. Please see the notes in the recipe for instructions on making this chili bacon-free.
I most often use 90% lean ground beef but any percentage will work just fine (I’ve used all of them, but usually end up draining some grease if I use 80%). Ground turkey or chicken or really any ground meat will work here, but keep in mind the flavor will be slightly altered!
What Goes Well with Chili?
Obviously, bread is my chili side-dishes of choice. Because this chili is so hearty and filling on its own, a slice of cornbread makes for a sufficient side for chili.
Enjoy, and make sure to check out my other easy dinner recipes!! And make sure you let me know what you think when you try this! I love hearing about the cook-offs it wins and if you really agree that it’s the all-time BEST chili recipe!
Letโs cook together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)
Ingredients
- 5 strips uncooked bacon choppedยน
- 1 large yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red 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 powderยฒ
- 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powderยฒ
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ยพ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- โ teaspoon cayenne pepperยณ
- 1 ยผ 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)
- 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis (198g)
- ยผ cup tomato paste (66g)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Preferred toppings particularly sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips
Instructions
- 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 ยฝ 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.ย
- Serve with preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips are a must!)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
I originally shared this chili recipe 10/05/2018. Post has been updated to include more notes, a video, and more helpful information 09/11/2019.
Nadia Oliva
I normally donโt leave reviews and feel the need to because this is by far the best Chili recipe Iโve ever tried. Itโs absolutely deliciously amazing!
Sam
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Nadia! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! ๐
Chris
A few weeks back I made your recipe for my company chili cook off and it took 1st. Yesterday, I made it again for my local YMCA chili cook off fundraiser and it did not take 1st with the judges, BUT it did get the Peopleโs Choice award!
Now I need to make it for my family and friends!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Chris! The people’s choice is a better prize in my opinion. ๐
Becky Clark
This chili recipe is amazing, and thanks to you, I won first place at our chili cook off at work! Yippee!!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Becky! Thanks so much for using our recipe–congrats on winning! โค๏ธ
Erin
Made this today and it was so good! Definitely going in the recipe binder, thank you!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked the chili, Erin! Enjoy ๐
Crystal Theriault
Hello, so glad I found you and this fantastic recipe! I will have you know that your recipe just help me win 1 prize in our chili completion at work!!
Thank you so much!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Crystal! Thanks so much for giving our recipe a try, and congrats on winning โค๏ธ
Wayne Schroeder
What type of red pepper are you using?
Thanks, really looking forward to making this.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Wayne! We use a red bell pepper in this recipe. ๐
Mary Fioretti
Excellent. Rave reviews from friends
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy everyone loved the Chili, Mary! Thanks so much for commenting and leaving a review. โค๏ธ
Leah Thompson
I just want to add my experience and testimonial. With a couple of variations due to available ingredients (chipotle chili powder instead of ancho) and taste testing (adding a bit more brown sugar and some AccentโMSG), I won our church Chili Cook-off against 12 other pots of chili! My lifeโs ambition has been fulfilled! Thanks!
Sam
I am so happy to hear this, Leah! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you, I appreciate it! ๐
Megan
How long do I put it in the crockpot if Iโm using one?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Megan! You will need to go through steps 1-4 prior to adding it to the crockpot. After that, you can follow the recipe as instructed and keep it warm until you’re ready to serve. We hope that you enjoy the chili! ๐
Bonnie
Made this last night it got demolished it was so good im.makimg again tonight thanks for a great recipe ima try the corn bread one next
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked it, Bonnie! The cornbread goes great with the chili–you’ll love it! Enjoy ๐
John Deaton
Used this recipe for chili cook off today. Winner Winner chicken dinner!! The chili turned out great, awesome flavor, and very hardy. I doubled the recipe to fill a crockpot. The bacon is a good touch. Thanks for the help!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Great to hear, John! Thanks so much for letting us know you won–congrats ๐
Jennifer Jones
When doubling the Recipe do you double the spices as well or leave them the same just add more meat and beans I broth
Christina
Typically, if you double a recipe then you double all the ingredients.
Tim
Won the church Chili Cook Off tonight!! Wanted to thank you for your help, I believe the bacon was a big part. Also had to substitute hot chili powder for the ancho could not find any. How many wins do you have now? Thanks again and God bless
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Tim! I think I’ve lost count at this point. ๐
Jeremy
Every time I first make a recipe, I try and follow it as written. Since I’m trying to use everything in my pantry/freezer, I took a few liberties. I used fresh ancho chilies and a couple jalapeรฑos from my garden instead of a red pepper (I like spicy). I used Hatch chili powder (in my opinion, a little bit spicier than off the shelf grocery store chili powder). Finally, I doubled the recipe, but only used 3 cans of beans (because that’s what I had)- black, red kidney and white great northern. Other than that- pretty much as written. Its still not ‘spicy’ in my opinion, but it’s getting there. I’ve had two small bowls while its cooling and headed for a third. I plan on serving it for dinner tomorrow night (because chili is always better the next day). This is going to be a keeper in my house. Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked the chili, Jeremy! Thanks so much for your five star rating. Enjoy ๐
Pat Kelly
I have just made this chili recipe which I am going to freeze and serve the help while we are selling Christmas trees. I will let you know the comments
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That’s a great idea! We hope everyone loves, it, Pat ๐
Haley
Me and my dad just made this and Iโll tell you whhhhat! Best chili ever. Thanks a bunch
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you loved it, Haley! Next time try it with our buttermilk cornbread ๐
Dave
I just won my office chili cook-off with this recipe. Took about an hour to prepare. I beat out 4 other recipes, including the prior two year’s champion! Thanks.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! Congrats, Dave! ๐