• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Food Blogging Resources
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Pip and Ebby

Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Soup » Easy 3 Can Chili Recipe

    Easy 3 Can Chili Recipe

    Published: Jun 13, 2019 · Modified: May 28, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This EASY 3 can chili recipe requires is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time.

    Skillet full of chili with beans.

    Why This Recipe Works

    It is hard to write about any chili other than my favorite chili recipe because that one really is the best. But I’ve been pondering lately the sad dilemma that involves not having the time to make a full-blown vat of homemade chili.

    What if you want to enjoy a comforting bowl of chili without the time commitment? Throwing a football watch party? Have extra family in town?

    Or how about those times you need a quick batch of chili for recipes like Chili Dogs or Chili Mac or Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes for when you’ve invited a bunch of hungry teenagers you need to feed?

    In these situations, this 3 can chili recipe is the best option because it takes less than 30 minutes to throw together and you can count the number of ingredients on one hand.

    With just a few ingredients and after a mere 30 minutes of time spent, you’ll be enjoying a bowl of chili that no one would have ever known had a lineage rooted in “canned chili with beans.”

    So here’s my endorsement, and I don’t endorse things unless I really believe in them: This Easy Chili is the most delicious QUICK AND EASY chili recipe you will find!

    50+ Make-Ahead Recipes For Your Holiday Table

    Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about planning a holiday menu? Then you anticipate the exhaustion that comes after the meal has been eaten?

    Within each recipe in this ebook are tips for making the recipe ahead of time to open up space for the people you’re excited to spend the holiday with. Sample menus included, along with mouth-watering photos and tried-and-tested recipes!

    Recipe Ingredients

    Ground meat – Use ground beef, ground sausage, ground turkey or a combination! Do not exceed 2 pounds total. If using ground turkey, add a tablespoon of olive oil beforehand to help cook and brown the turkey.

    Garlic – Minced fresh garlic tastes best, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder is an ok substitute.

    Diced tomatoes – Use canned tomatoes with herbs or flavorings, such as chopped onions and garlic. You can never get enough onion and garlic, people.

    Chili with beans – Use 2 cans of chili with beans, any variety (approximately 30 oz. total).

    Toppings – Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, crushed saltine crackers.

    Serving of chili in a bowl with half of a bun inside.

    How to Make This 3 Can Chili Recipe

    You would probably be capable of making this easy chili while blind-folded, but please don’t actually try that. The following is what you will need to do to throw a batch of easy chili together:

    Step 1

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook 1 pound of ground beef, ground sausage or ground turkey over medium high heat until meat is no longer pink.

    Step 2

    Add 1 chopped white or yellow onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

    If there is not enough grease from the meat and the mixture is too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan while the veggies are cooking.

    Step 3

    Add one can of diced tomatoes and 2 cans of chili with beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle into serving bowls and serve immediately! Top with cheese, if desired.

    Recipe Notes

    • Simmering this chili for more than 20 minutes is definitely doable and may result in an even more flavorful meal.
    • Add chopped red bell peppers to the onion-garlic mixture for extra crunch and flavor.
    • Add a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or black beans for added flavor.
    • Throw in some garlic powder and/or chili powder for extra yum!
    • Open a can of diced roasted green chilies for amazing flavor!
    • A 15-ounce can of tomato sauce or 8-10 ounces of tomato juice will add a TON of flavor!

    Can I Make This Recipe In A Slow Cooker?

    Yes! Cook the meat, onion, red peppers and garlic as directed and add it to your crock pot along with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high heat for 4 hours.

    Can I Make This Recipe In An Instant Pot?

    Yes and it is soooo good made in a pressure cooker, but I highly recommend following this Instant Pot Chili recipe if you go that route.

    Chili Dinner Ideas – Recipes and Sides!

    Click over for chili dinner ideas with a variety of recipes and side dish recommendations, as well. Or use this post as your guide for dinner ideas using leftovers so nothing goes to waste.

    Appetizer Ideas

    Chili dinners are the best in those cold winter months! If you are looking to round out your meal, peruse this roundup for ideas about what to serve as appetizers for chili dinner.

    How To Thicken Chili

    If you make a delicious batch and find that it is not thick enough for your liking, we have some simple methods that will fix it! Read on for tips about how to thicken chili.

    Close up of a bowl of overflowing chili topped with melted cheese.

    FAQ About Chili

    What to top chili with?

    A bowl of chili is the perfect template for delicious toppings! Consider any or all of the following: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions or oyster or saltine crackers.

    What to serve with chili?

    Serve chili warm with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. A few good options to serve alongside it include chopped salad, dinner rolls and cornbread.

    Why chili is hot?

    The ingredients in chili that typically make it spicy are chili powder, peppers and pepper (or cayenne pepper). To decrease the amount of heat in the recipe, reduce the amount of chili powder used and omit peppers (aside from bell peppers, which are very mild) and any cayenne or black pepper in the recipe.

    What To Do With Chili Leftovers

    If you have leftovers (and it’s very possible that you will because this makes a large batch), please check out these delicious recipes to help use them up:

    • Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • Best Ever Chili Dogs
    • Chili Mac and Cheese
    • Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes

    How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Don’t use any old chili recipe to pile on top of hot dogs. This delicious recipe details how to make hot dog chili sauce so the consistency is just right!

    More Comforting Recipes

    If you are looking for other delicious comfort food recipes to feed the masses, you have come to the right place. Here is a teeny-tiny list of some of my favorite comforting meals that are always a hit:

    • Twice-Baked Potatoes
    • Best Ever Meatloaf
    • Goulash
    • Crockpot Mac and Cheese

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Easy 3 Can Chili Recipe

    This EASY 3 can chili recipe requires is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 372kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef or sausage
    • 1 white onion or yellow onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 15 oz diced tomatoes
    • 30 oz chili with beans
    • cheddar cheese shredded, for topping

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the beef (or sausage) over medium heat until no longer pink. Add onion and garlic and cook until veggies are soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
    • If there is not enough grease from the meat and mixture is too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan while veggies are cooking.
    • Add the diced tomatoes and chili and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle into serving bowls and serve immediately! Top with cheese, if desired.

    Notes

    • Simmering this chili for more than 20 minutes is definitely doable and may result in an even more flavorful meal.
    • Add chopped red bell peppers to the onion-garlic mixture for extra crunch and flavor.
    • Add a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or black beans for added flavor.
    • Throw in some garlic powder and/or chili powder for extra yum!
    • Open a can of diced roasted green chilies for amazing flavor!
    • A 15-ounce can of tomato sauce or 8-10 ounces of tomato juice will add a TON of flavor!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 799mg | Potassium: 882mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 561IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 7mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
    « Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
    Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kellsie

      April 04, 2021 at 5:28 pm

      What is the recommended serving size per the nutrition facts? I would assume 1 cup but I don’t want to be wrong.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 06, 2021 at 1:08 am

        The entire batch serves 6, so one-sixth of the batch is one serving.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Megan and I am so happy you are here! Whether you are looking for a healthy salad, easy dinner or indulgent dessert, I've got you covered! Let's dig deeper →

    Web Stories Library

    Dominate Your Instant Pot!

    Food Blogging Resources

    Desserts For Spring

    Cinco de Mayo Dessert Recipes – 25 delicious ideas!

    Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

    What To Do With Lemons

    Snickers Fudge Recipe

    Baked Apple Slices With Cinnamon Recipe

    White Cupcakes Recipe

    Comforting Soups

    Chicken and Dumplings Recipe With Canned Biscuits

    What To Serve With Minestrone Soup – 12 perfect sides!

    How To Thicken Chili

    Chili Recipe Without Beans

    Chili Dinner Ideas – Chili Recipes and Sides!

    How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    As Featured In

    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 Pip and Ebby on the Foodie Pro Theme