This super simple chili is comforting, filling, and pure deliciousness in a bowl! It’s made with just 6 main ingredients, and a few spices on top of that you’re sure to have on hand! It’s perfectly seasoned and not too spicy. Cozy comfort food that’s perfect for meal prep and freezer friendly too! This super simple chili can even be made two different ways: stovetop or in the crock pot.

While I love making unique chili recipes at times (such as this butternut squash turkey chili), you can’t go wrong with a classic chili recipe. This recipe is adapted from my mom’s chili recipe she always made when I was growing up. This chili is most definitely kid-friendly and kid-approved, as it’s not too spicy. I remember growing up that my mom would finely chop (almost puree) some of the kidney beans too so they weren’t as noticeable. Actually, now that I think of it, while I have no problem eating beans, mashing some of the beans made a very thick consistency (and I like my chili and soups thick! Not a fan of thin, broth-y, not-filling soups). So I just may have to try that again sometime!

We would often serve this chili with cornbread and honey (such a perfect combination). I’ve also eaten this chili served over pasta, a baked potato, loaded with cheese and tortilla chips, and simply by itself. So many options.

Speaking of more options…while there aren’t many ingredients in this chili to begin with, there are a few substitution ideas.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ground beef.

I’ve tested this recipe many times, and I like using 1 lb. ground beef and 1 lb. ground sausage. However, I often make this using all ground beef. I’ve also tried this recipe substituting 2 lb. of ground turkey.  Use whatever you have on hand and what you prefer!

Kidney beans.

While I haven’t personally tried using other beans in this specific recipe, you can easily substitute any type of bean you prefer in place of the kidney beans. Black beans, chickpeas, navy beans, pinto beans, etc.

Spices.

As written, this chili is fairly mild and not too spicy. My husband prefers a spicier chili, so often will add a dash of cayenne pepper to his chili. If you are going for a spicier flavor, you can increase the chili powder and/or add cayenne pepper to the entire batch.

The onions and garlic add lots of flavor, but you can reduce these amounts if you prefer! I used tomatoes I had grown and canned from my garden, but any type of canned tomatoes will work.

My church had a chili cook-off competition and meal after church on Sunday this past weekend. I made this chili again for the cook-off, and I was happily surprised that it actually placed! There were 11 different chilis entered…anything from white chicken chili, vegetarian, BBQ, super spicy, etc. My recipe won 3^rd place out of 11 entries. I’ll take it! 🙂 It was fun to taste test all of the different chilis and vote for your favorite.

I hope you try this chili; I’m confident you’ll love it!

5.0 from 2 reviews

Super Simple Chili

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

35 mins

 

This super simple chili is comforting, filling, and pure deliciousness in a bowl! It’s made with just 6 main ingredients, and a few spices on top of that you’re sure to have on hand! It’s perfectly seasoned and not too spicy. Cozy comfort food that’s perfect for meal prep and freezer friendly too! This super simple chili can even be made two different ways: stovetop or in the crock pot.

Author: Audra's Appetite

Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner

Cuisine: American

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground hamburger
• 1 lb. ground sausage
• 2 onions, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans kidney beans, undrained
• 3 cans (16 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1½ teaspoons cumin
• 1½ teaspoons paprika (I like smoked paprika)
• ½-1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Crock Pot: Brown meat, onion, and garlic together. Drain fat. Then add all ingredients together in crockpot and cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-6 hours.
2. Stove top: Brown meat, onion, and garlic in large pot, drain fat. Then add all other ingredients and simmer 20-30 minutes.
3. This chili tastes just as great, if not better the next day! This chili is also freezer-friendly.

3.5.3251