This easy chili recipe is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time. Throw canned chili beans in a pan along with just a couple other ingredients for the easiest dinner you’ll see all week!
Original post: June 2019 | Updated: September 2022
Why This Recipe Works
It is hard to write about any chili other than my favorite classic 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 5 Ingredient Chili is the most delicious simple chili recipe you will find!
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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 canned chili with chili beans, any variety (approximately 30 oz. total).
Toppings – Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, crushed saltine crackers.
How to Make Canned Chili Better
You would probably be capable of making this easy chili while blind-folded, but please don’t actually try that. Here’s how to make the best canned chili:
Step 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook 1 pound of ground beef, ground sausage or ground turkey over medium 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.
- For extra crunch add a green bell pepper.
- Add a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or black beans or pinto beans for added flavor.
- Throw in 1 teaspoon garlic powder and/or up to 2 tablespoons chili powder for extra yum!
- For extra spice add a few dashes of hot sauce or a few teaspoons of red pepper flakes.
- Open a can of diced roasted green chilies for amazing flavor!
- Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a sweet touch.
- 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.
Check out this Beef Chili Recipe for full instructions.
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 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.
FAQ About Chili
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.
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.
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:
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!
Easy Dinner 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:
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If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!
Best Canned Chili Recipe
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!
I found your site while I was trying to use up the canned chili in our pantry. Really good and easy recipe, which nicely masked the canned chili recipe! I did add your suggestion of canned green chilis and chili and garlic powder, along with oregano, cumin and chopped chilis in adobo. Great way to use pantry ingredients!
Thank you Shelly! I’m glad you were able to make food with what you had and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
What is the recommended serving size per the nutrition facts? I would assume 1 cup but I don’t want to be wrong.
The entire batch serves 6, so one-sixth of the batch is one serving.