Easy Stove Top Chili Recipe – Quick, Easy & Delicious!

One of the best ways to get a thick, hearty and delicious chili on the table in the least amount of time is to make it on the stove top. Ground beef seasoned with easy to make homemade chili seasoning and then cooked with sautéed onions, peppers and diced tomatoes for the perfect comfort food recipe. 

It is a great recipe to satisfy that last minute craving for chili when it hits. That is because it can be made, from start to finish in only 30 minutes! 

Although it may be hard to believe because this chili is made with a variety of ingredients. However it is a full bodied recipe that holds a ton of flavor in every bite even when cooked in that short amount of time.

As much as I love the taste of Crock Pot Chili that has been cooking all day, or a bowl of Campfire Chili that has been made in a cast iron pot over an open fire, this recipe has a surprisingly fantastic flavor and texture. 

It is a great recipe to make on a busy weeknight in the middle of winter. However, it also makes a great addition to your next tailgate or Super Bowl party. 

Make Ahead For More Flavor

You can even make it ahead of time and throw it in your slow cooker to heat up and stay warm until your guests arrive. And just like all soup recipes this chili only gets better with time. 

In fact, I prefer to make it in advance a few days before I want to serve it. It is a great recipe to make when meal prepping or when you need to use fresh ground beef before it expires. 

Then when you go to pour yourself a bowl the flavors have had time to blend together perfectly. However, there are a few tips to make this quick and easy chili recipe taste amazing no matter when you eat it!

Tips For Making Chili 

1. Ground Beef

When it comes to choosing which ground beef is the best to use in chili it really comes down to preference. If you want the most flavor without the chili being greasy, then choose a 85/15 lean to fat ratio. 

Because of the quick cook time, you need a little fat in the meat to add flavor. However, you don’t want to use ground beef that has more than 15% fat or the taste will be altered. 

However, because of the rising cost in ground beef at the grocery, it may be cost prohibitive to purchase meat that has a lower fat content. If that is the case, you can still make the chili. Just be sure to drain the meat well before adding the other ingredients.

And if you find yourself with lean ground sirloin you can certainly use that as well. However, be aware that the taste won’t be as complex as compared to a higher fat content ground beef. 

2. Chili Beans

Because this recipe comes together so quickly it is best to use high quality canned chili beans. This is not the time for standard, unseasoned kidney beans. 

Instead, purchase beans that are labeled as chili beans. These beans are pre-seasoned and are the perfect addition to any chili recipe, but especially a stove top chili recipe that is ready to eat in only 30 minutes. 

I will typically spend the extra 50 cents to purchase a name brand variety. However, generic or store brand varieties can also be used. 

And for those that like the chili a little on the spicy side, go ahead and purchase Medium or Hot flavored chili beans. However no matter what type of chili bean that you purchase, do not drain the beans. 

The flavored sauce inside the can will add more flavor to the chili. 

3. Saute the Vegetables

When it comes to what vegetables to add to chili it is standard that both diced onions and green peppers are on the preferred list. However, be sure to take the extra time to saute the vegetables for maximum flavor. 

Heating the vegetables until they become tender extract all the hidden flavors inside. This simple step makes all the difference in a good chili versus a great chili. 

4. The Liquid

The liquid in this stove top chili recipe comes from a variety of sources. First, you will use the liquid that is inside both cans of beans.

Then you will add tomato sauce and beef broth to the pot. Although you could substitute chicken broth the beef broth will provide you with the most flavor.

However, as always I recommend that you purchase low-sodium broth so that the chili doesn’t taste too salty. You can always add salt later.

5. Easy Homemade Chili Seasoning

No need to head to the store to purchase a packet of chili seasoning. Instead, it is easy to make your own with just a few basic spices that you most likely already have in your cabinet.

And it all starts with chili powder. Chili powder is a combination of spices that will give your chili that familiar taste.

However, in order to make it chili seasoning you must also add ground cumin. Then mix in a little salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste and your spices are ready to be added to the chili.

It is much healthier to make your own chili seasoning. You know exactly what is in it and it doesn’t contain fillers or preservatives.

Easy Stove Top Chili Recipe

*Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to keep reading for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 TBSP. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 small bell pepper, green or sweet, diced
• 1 small jalapeno, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef, 85/15 preferred
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth, low-sodium
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes

Homemade Chili Seasoning

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS

To start making your chili place a large stock pot on the stove top over medium-high heat. Then add the oil.

When the oil is hot add in the diced onions, bell pepper and jalapeno peppers. Saute until the onions are tender, about 4-5 minutes.

Add the garlic to the mixture and saute another 30-60 seconds or until fragrant. Next add the ground beef to the pot and cook and break into crumbles until no longer pink. Drain the fat if necessary.

Add the undrained kidney beans, undrained black beans, tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to the mixture. Stir until everything is well mixed.

Bring the mixture to boil, stirring frequently and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

If you want a thicker soup, let the mixture simmer longer. Then when the chili is at the desired consistency season with additional salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper as desired.

Serve warm with suggested toppings: diced onions, diced jalapeno peppers, sour cream, shredded cheese and/or diced cilantro.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

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