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 jalapeños, 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!
Let’s 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 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)
- 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis (198g)
- ¼ 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 ½ Tablespoons of grease.5 strips uncooked bacon
- Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.1 large yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).3 cloves garlic
- 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.1 lb ground beef, 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
- Add all remaining ingredients — beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce — and your cooked bacon and stir well.1 ¼ cup beef broth, 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, 15 oz can black beans, 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes, 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis, ¼ cup tomato paste, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 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!)Preferred toppings
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.
TallyMom
This was fantastic! Lots of compliments when I took it to a potluck! Of course I had to play with it and add a few ingredients from my own chili cook off winning recipe: a square of bakers unsweetened chocolate and a jalapeño and a couple of pinches of cinnamon
My new favorite chili recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that enjoyed the chili and that it was a hit at your potluck! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Nique
I have did this recipe twice already, this is the best one I have tried yet. I had never added bacon before and let me tell you bacon is a persons best friend bacon really goes with everything.. Bacon has given chilli a whole new demeanor. I love it and hope everyone else will to. I will not be going back to the basic recipe. lol
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Nique! I am so glad that you enjoyed the chili. The bacon really does add so much flavor. Enjoy! 🙂
Donald
Have not tried tried this yet but it sounds great will let you know how it turns out
Sugar Spun Run
I hope that you enjoy the chili, Donald! 🙂
Gdub
Giving this a 5 star rating although I haven’t made it yet, but I know it will be delicious because bacon – my husband is (much to my dismay) a bean hater…I have tried EVERYTHING to get him to eat them with no luck. Do you think this would work if I doubled (or tripled) the meat in place of the beans?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Gwen! As far as doubling the meat and reducing the number of beans is up to you. I think it will be fine. Fingers crossed that it is husband approved. Keep me posted on how it turns out. 🙂
Kelly
Made this tonight – So good!!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the chili, Kelly! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
T W Griffin
Unbelievable. You sacrificed good taste and honor when you added beans to a great dish – especially those awful kidney beans. Where are all these profane recipes coming from? Are you even aware that sanctioned chili cookoffs do NOT allow beans? Stop trying to stretch the meat by adding beans. It’s not the real, traditional dish.
Sam
Not a good way to start off the New Year with all this negativity, TW! While beans aren’t embraced in some chili recipes, especially in Texas, this recipe has beaten quite a few bean-less ones in cook-offs, which I think speaks for itself. That being said, no one is making you make this version (though I recommend it, you’re definitely missing out if you skip it). Happy New Year!
Ann
I have entered many non sanctioned chili cook offs and never win unless there are beans. People expect it. Sanctioned cook offs do not allow beans, we all know that and I have won 2. I am going to try this one for a cook off at the Veterans Club because I think it will be a crowd pleaser. I cook to my audience. I will let you know if I win.
Sam
I can’t wait to hear how it does, Ann! 🙂
Wax
Pretty dang good! Made this a couple times for dinner, and made it again tonight for Christmas. Doubled the recipe, it’s a ton but it seems to be coming together well. Also doubling the simmer time, but not sure if that’s necessary.
What’s a good substitute for the ancho chili powder that would be more faithful than just using all regular chili powder? Can’t seem to find that at the grocery store.
Sam
So glad you enjoyed, Wax! Thank you for commenting. If you can’t find ancho chili powder I would just stick with regular chili powder, I’m not sure what else would be as good of a substitute.
Talara
Maybe try looking for a Hispanic grocery store in your community. They are highly likely to have chilli ancho and more.
Theresa Pick
kroger’s has these spices under their name brand in the small spice cans
Joy
Made it for chili contest at church and won 1st place! GREAT recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Sugar Spun Run
Congrats on your big win, Joy! I am so glad that everyone enjoyed it! Thanks for using my recipe for the competition. 🙂
Gabby
Can I use “hunts fire roasted tomatoes” for this recipe? I wasnt sure what kind you used.
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Gabby! Yes, those will work just fine. I hope that you enjoy the chili. 🙂
Alaida
I have a GREAT recipe but I think this one is worth a shot! Will keep your posted. 🙂
Sugar Spun Run
I hope that you enjoy the recipe, Alaida! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Heather
I tried this recipe and it truly is The Best Chilli Recipe!!! The whole fam loved it even the picky eater . ❤ 🥓🥓🥓
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Heather! I am so glad that you enjoy the chili. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Kisha
Omg just made this chili it is the TRUTH!!! Delicious ❤️
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting, Kisha! 🙂
Wes
Wow!!! Made this last night on a rainy nasty day and possibly the best chili I’ve ever had, definitely the best I’ve made. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the soup, Wes! Thanks for trying my recipe. 🙂
Chris R
Great recipe, only change for me is more spice, 1/4 t or more of cayenne. Stunning as-is. Brought a pot for a crew of Christmas tree farm workers, the owner had just passed and so we needed a special recipe to make a bad day better. Mission accomplished. Thanks for sharing.
Sugar Spun Run
That is such a kind gesture, Chris. I am so glad that you enjoyed the chili recipe. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Brittaney
Hands down the best chili I’ve ever had. My friends and boyfriend agree! Never been big on sharing recipes for whatever reason but I’ve sent this to several people! Thank you so so much for sharing!!
Sugar Spun Run
What an amazing compliment. Thank you so much, Brittaney! I am so glad that everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
Michael G.
Just made this recipe. Fantastic Chili!! Best I’ve ever had!! Thank you so much for this post
Sam
So happy to hear this!! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Michael! 🙂
Brittany
I am doing a chili bar for my daughters birthday party and think I am going to give this a try.. sounds delicious.. I need to serve around 15-20 ppl, would you suggest doubling the recipe?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Brittany! A chili bar sounds amazing! This recipe serves 6 people. So Yes, you will want to double or triple this recipe to make sure that you have plenty. Any leftover will freeze wonderfully. I hope your daughter has an amazing birthday party! Let me know how the chili turns out. 🙂