I didn’t call this the World’s Best Chili Recipe after one good batch. Readers have been making and loving it for more than a decade, leaving more than 1,000 comments and 200 five-star reviews.
It has gone viral repeatedly, become one of the most popular recipes in Pip and Ebby history and even inspired people to search for “Pip and Ebby chili” by name.
What keeps people coming back is the flavor and the distinctive consistency. This chili is hearty, bold and satisfying, but it isn’t so thick you could eat it with a fork.
It has all the meat, beans and texture you want from classic chili in a rich, spoonable base that’s almost like the perfect marriage of chili and soup. It feeds a crowd, tastes even better the next day and remains the best chili I’ve ever eaten.
What Readers Are Saying About This Chili
I will NEVER make another chilli recipe in my life again!! This is so good! I absolutely hate cooking and all the prep so the first time I made this I told myself I would never again do it. It was so good that it was worth the chopping up of a few veggies and measuring of a bunch of spices. I make it at least 2-3 times every fall/winter now! – Ashley
This IS THE BEST Chili! This recipe has been on rotation in my home for awhile now. Everyone raves about how it IS the BEST chili they be ever had! Thank you for sharing this with us! – Sara
Why This Chili Recipe Works
There’s a reason readers have returned to this recipe for more than a decade. It’s reliable, deeply flavorful and equally at home at a casual family dinner or a big game-day gathering.
- Layers of flavor – Browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables before adding the seasonings creates a richer flavor than simply combining everything in one pot.
- Hearty without being overly thick – The meat, beans and vegetables give it plenty of substance, while the tomato-rich base keeps it spoonable and perfect for soaking up with cornbread or chips.
- Feeds a crowd – One batch makes a generous amount, making it a great choice for game day, parties, family gatherings or planned leftovers.
- Two easy cooking methods – Simmer it on the stovetop or let it cook low and slow in a slow cooker.
- Easy to customize – Use ground beef, turkey or venison, adjust the cayenne and jalapeños to control the heat and add your favorite chili toppings.
It’s cozy, dependable and even better the next day.. the kind of homemade chili recipe people make once and return to for years.
For an extra-cozy game-day or family dinner, serve it with my mac and cheese..the two make an especially crowd-pleasing combination.
Chili Ingredient Notes
Ground beef
Lean ground beef adds hearty flavor without making the chili greasy. Ground turkey or venison also work well, although the flavor will be slightly different. For an even richer chili, replace 1 pound of the beef with ground sausage.
Bell pepper
The original recipe uses green bell pepper, which adds a savory flavor and balances the tomatoes. Red, yellow or orange bell peppers can be substituted, but they will make the chili slightly sweeter.
Jalapeño peppers
Fresh jalapeños add flavor and subtle heat without making the finished chili overwhelmingly spicy. The heat can vary from pepper to pepper, so remove the seeds and membranes for less heat or omit the jalapeños and cayenne for a mild chili.
This is one of the secret ingredients I credit with making the recipe so memorable.. and with helping it win chili cook-offs!
Tomato juice
Tomato juice creates this recipe’s distinctive rich, spoonable consistency. For thicker chili, reduce the amount slightly, keeping in mind that the chili will continue to thicken as it simmers and cools.
Beans
Kidney and pinto beans provide a satisfying combination of textures. Black beans can be substituted for either variety, or the beans can be omitted for a no-bean chili.
Seasonings
Chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne build the savory chili flavor, while a small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Adjust the cayenne to make the chili milder or spicier.
Equipment You’ll Need
Large Dutch oven or stockpot
For the stovetop method, use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot with enough room to hold the entire batch. You can brown the beef, sauté the vegetables and simmer the chili in the same pot.
Large skillet
If using a slow cooker, brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables in a large skillet before transferring everything to the slow cooker.
8-quart slow cooker
This recipe makes a large batch, so use an 8-quart slow cooker to give the ingredients plenty of room to simmer without overfilling the insert.
How To Make Chili
- Brown the ground beef
Cook the ground beef in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a bowl and drain the excess grease from the pot.
If you’re using a slow cooker, complete this step in a large skillet instead.
- Sauté the vegetables
Add the olive oil to the same pot or skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, green bell pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeños. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.
- Add the seasonings
Remove the pot from the heat. Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, black pepper and cayenne. Stir until the vegetables are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Add the remaining ingredients
For the stovetop method, return the cooked beef to the Dutch oven. For the slow-cooker method, transfer the beef and seasoned vegetables to an 8-quart slow cooker.
Stir in the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans.
- Cook the chili
Stovetop: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Slow cooker: Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. - Serve
Stir well, ladle into bowls and add shredded cheese, sour cream or your favorite chili toppings.
Key Tips for the Best Chili
- Keep the flavorful browned bits – After cooking the beef, drain the excess grease but don’t clean the pot. The browned bits left behind add flavor as the vegetables cook.
- Add the seasonings before the liquids – Stirring the spices into the warm vegetables helps release their flavor before the tomato juice and other ingredients are added.
- Give it the full cooking time – The 2-hour stovetop simmer or 7- to 8-hour slow-cooker time allows the flavors to deepen and blend. Avoid shortening the cooking time if possible.
- Taste before serving – Once the chili has finished cooking, taste and adjust the salt, cayenne or chili powder as needed. Seasoning brands and preferred heat levels can vary.
- Make it ahead when you can – The flavors become even richer after resting overnight, making this an excellent chili to prepare a day before serving.
Chili Variations
- Make it milder – Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños, or omit both the jalapeños and cayenne.
- Add more heat – Increase the cayenne or serve sliced jalapeños and hot sauce on the side.
- Change the meat – Substitute ground turkey or venison for the beef, or replace 1 pound of beef with ground sausage for richer flavor.
- Make it without beans – Omit the kidney and pinto beans and reduce the tomato juice slightly to account for the lost volume.
- Make thicker chili – Begin with 36 to 40 ounces of tomato juice, adding more only if needed.
Recipe Notes and Tips
Serving ideas
Serve the chili warm with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Green onions, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, diced red onion and crushed tortilla chips are also delicious toppings.
Pair it with cornbread, corn chips or mac and cheese for a cozy, crowd-friendly meal.
Prefer thicker chili?
This recipe intentionally has a rich, spoonable consistency rather than the ultra-thick texture of some chili recipes.
For a thicker chili, replace the diced tomatoes with an equal amount of crushed tomatoes or start with 36 to 40 ounces of the tomato juice, adding more as needed. Keep in mind that the chili will thicken as it simmers, cools and rests overnight.
Best Chili Toppings
Set out a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their own bowl. My favorite chili toppings include:
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Melts into the warm chili and adds rich, savory flavor.
- Sour cream – Adds a cool, creamy contrast and helps balance the heat.
- Green onions or diced red onion – Provide fresh flavor and a little crunch.
- Sliced jalapeños – Perfect for anyone who wants extra heat.
- Avocado – Adds a creamy texture that pairs especially well with the bold chili.
- Fresh cilantro – Brightens the rich tomato-based flavors.
- Crushed tortilla chips or corn chips – Add a salty, satisfying crunch.
- Lime wedges – A squeeze of lime adds a fresh, tangy finish.
For game day or a casual gathering, turn it into a chili toppings bar and let everyone build their own bowl.
What To Serve With Chili
Cornbread is the classic side for chili, but dinner rolls, garlic bread, corn chips and a crisp salad are also delicious options. Here are a few of my favorite pairings:
- Homemade Cornbread – The classic cozy pairing and perfect for soaking up the rich, spoonable base.
- Dinner Rolls – Soft, buttery rolls make this crowd-friendly meal even more satisfying.
- Garlic Bread – A great choice when you want something crisp, buttery and especially good for dipping.
- Chopped Salad – A fresh, crunchy salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty chili.
For more ideas, see my complete guide to what to serve with chili.
How To Store and Reheat Chili
Let the chili cool, then divide it among shallow, airtight containers. Store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen chili overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave individual servings until heated through. If the chili has thickened in storage, stir in a splash of tomato juice, broth or water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
This chili is especially good for meal prep because the flavors become even richer after a night in the refrigerator.
Chili FAQ
For thicker chili, replace the diced tomatoes with an equal amount of crushed tomatoes or begin with 36 to 40 ounces of tomato juice, adding more if needed. You can also simmer the chili uncovered near the end of cooking. Remember that it will continue to thicken as it cools and rests.
Store cooled chili in shallow, airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Because this recipe makes a large batch, divide it among several containers so it cools more quickly. This aligns with current USDA food-safety guidance.
Yes. Let the chili cool, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving a little room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes. Omit the kidney and pinto beans for a no-bean chili. The finished batch will yield less and have a slightly thinner consistency, so you may also want to reduce the tomato juice.
Turn leftover chili into chili mac, chili dogs, nachos, loaded fries or stuffed baked potatoes. Find even more inspiration in my leftover chili recipes.
The Story Behind This Chili
This recipe has been part of Pip and Ebby for more than a decade, and its popularity still amazes me. It was one of the first recipes on my site to reach a huge audience, and its success helped support some special family experiences over the years.
Despite the thousands of recipes I’ve cooked and tested since then, this is still the chili my family makes. I don’t keep it here simply because it became popular.. I keep making it because it remains my favorite.
More Chili Recipes
If you’re looking for another cozy bowl, try one of these reader-favorite chili recipes:
- White Chicken Chili – A creamy, comforting alternative made with tender chicken and white beans.
- Quick and Easy Chili – A faster option for nights when you don’t have two hours to let chili simmer.
- Chili Mac – The ultimate comfort-food combination of hearty chili and tender pasta.
- Hot Dog Chili – A thick, flavorful chili made especially for hot dogs, burgers and game-day meals.
- No Bean Chili – A thick, hearty option for anyone who prefers chili without beans.
More Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love
Have more ground beef to use? These cozy, family-friendly dinners are reader favorites:
- Classic Meatloaf – A tender, flavorful meatloaf made with crackers and topped with a sweet, savory glaze.
- Hamburger Wild Rice Casserole – A hearty Minnesota-style casserole made with ground beef, wild rice and creamy sauce.
- Ground Beef Casserole with Egg Noodles – An easy, comforting dinner filled with beef, tender noodles and plenty of cheesy goodness.
- Instant Pot Sloppy Joes – A quick, saucy ground beef dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
World’s Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley finely chopped
- 2 jalapeño peppers finely chopped (optional)
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 46 oz tomato juice
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 16 oz kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 16 oz pinto beans drained and rinsed
- Shredded cheese and sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef.Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink and lightly browned. Transfer the beef to an 8-quart slow cooker. Drain the excess grease from the skillet, but do not clean it.
- Sauté the vegetables.Add the olive oil to the same skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, green bell pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeños, if using. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
- Add the seasonings.Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Combine the ingredients.Transfer the seasoned vegetables to the slow cooker with the beef. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans. Stir until well combined.
- Slow cook the chili.Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
- Serve.Stir well and taste, adjusting the salt or seasonings if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve warm with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
Stovetop Option
To make this chili on the stovetop, use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot instead of a skillet and slow cooker. Brown the beef, transfer it to a bowl and drain the excess grease. Sauté the vegetables and add the seasonings as directed, then return the beef to the pot. Stir in the tomato juice, tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.- Consistency: This chili intentionally has a rich, spoonable consistency. For thicker chili, replace the diced tomatoes with an equal amount of crushed tomatoes or begin with 36 to 40 ounces of tomato juice, adding more as needed.
- Heat level: Remove the jalapeño seeds and membranes for less heat, or omit both the jalapeños and cayenne for a mild version.
- Make ahead: The flavor becomes even richer after the chili rests overnight.
- Storage: Refrigerate cooled chili in shallow, airtight containers for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave individual portions until heated through. Add a splash of tomato juice, broth or water if the chili has thickened in storage.For the deepest flavor, drain the excess grease after browning the beef but don’t clean the pot. The flavorful browned bits left behind will season the vegetables and the entire batch of chili.
Nutrition
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
This my family’s favorite chili!!! I also combine ground beef and spicy ground sausage. My little addition consists of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp Stevia instead of sugar. Top with jalapeño slices and Mexican shredded cheese, side of sweet cornbread. Thank you sharing a fantastic recipe!!!!!
I love your tweaks, it sounds delicious!! I’d love that version. Thank you for sharing!
I wish I could delete the top negative review, because this chili was AWESOME!!! I’ve always been intimidated to bring chili to our annual chili potluck at church (so I hurry and sign up for corn bread, hehe) because I’ve never found a recipe to call my own, but this one is getting printed for my recipe book! The blend of seasonings to have that made from scratch appeal and the ability to tweak if needed to taste or consistency makes this recipe my mew go to. Even my husband loved it and he has an experienced palate!
I appreciate your kind words and taking the time to share! Thank you!
I’ve been using this chili recipe for years at my works annual chili cook off and I win every time. I was a bit nervous when I couldn’t find it on Pinterest recently but was relieved when I found it today! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I’m so glad you were able to share it with others too!
I don’t eat meat, but all those who do at our Super Bowl Party LOVED it! “This one’s a keeper” said my hubby.
I appreciate you taking the time to try it and share your feedback. Thank you! I love meat free foods as well and you could make this without meat, just add a higher variety of beans.
This is my go to recipe for sure!!!! I love it!
Wow! Amazing recipe. I loved it.
Can I make this with an instant pot?
You absolutely can! I have this recipe on my blog created in the IP as well. Here’s the link!
https://pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/best-instant-pot-chili/
Wondering if you have made this in the instant pot? If so, How long would it need to be cooked in there for?
Hi Donna – as you know I love my instant pot! Let me know how it turns out for you.
https://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/best-instant-pot-chili
Super super good chili!! It has not simmered yet but the taste it already incredible. I used ground pork and beef. Did not have a japs…but had everything else. Parsley wasn’t fresh but a jar of seasoning. I really liked it… I will be adding a dash or two of Worcester, a few dashes of cinnamon and a little piece of chocolate…..it’s a thing. Lol. I saw this while looking at recipes last year. I had to try it after googling it, of course. It takes the chili to a whole new level of robust and earthy tones. You have to try it!!!!
I enjoy this recipe a lot but those tweaks/additions sound amazing! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you for this recipe! It has been my go-to chili recipe for about a year now. I searched for so long trying to find a good recipe that balanced meat, tomatoes, and beans, and this is just perfection! My kids love it too! We always serve it with cornbread. I have a family of 7, and this serves my family plus gives us leftovers for 2-3 people (and I have two boys who together eat as much as the other 5 of us)
Regarding those asking about how much this makes, I make this in my 6 quart Dutch oven. It fills the Dutch oven at the beginning, but simmering for 2 hours reduces the liquid a bit. Finished product is about 5 to 5.5 quarts of chili.
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to share that. It does help others and it varies a little from person to person and cooking techniques so your feedback and detail was valuable.
I love to hear this! I’m so thankful you enjoy it. It’s great when the kiddos can to! Leftovers are a must! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Best chili recipe? LOL not even close. This seems like ‘chili’ that somebody from England or Australia would make. Where’s the toasted peppers? Where’s the masa harina? Lame.
There are many ways to enjoy chili and toasted peppers or masa harina isn’t the only way to prepare it. I’m sorry you feel that way. Did you taste it or make the comment based on the recipe? You should give it a try!
This recipe is actually AMAZING! It’s been my go-to for a while now and it’s always, always, always a crowd pleaser. Not sure why you felt the need to comment when you clearly haven’t even tried it and have no valid reasons for spewing hate <3
Thank you!
Wow! Rude! Don’t like the chili, skip to the next recipe and move on!
I’ve made this recipe many times and it comes out delicious each time. I’ve tried many and keep coming back to this one.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
Wow “chilimaster” I guess your mom did not teach you that if you don’t have anything nice to say you probably shouldn’t say anything at all! Clearly you are an internet troll who has too much time on your hands.
Megan our family LOVES your chili recipe! I’ve even made it for a couple large parties I’ve hosted and everyone raves about it and asks for the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a challenge, why not put your money where your mouth is, bud. Show us something better, until then Megan keeps the Chilimaster Championship Trophy.🏆
I love this recipe, I had been looking for a chili recipe and stumbled upon this a last year, it’s my go too! I add a pound of seasoned Spanish style steak my local store sells and cut the ground beef by a pound. The addition adds great flavor and since this cooks slowly the meet gets very tender! So good!
That sounds like a perfect tweak to your chili. Thanks for sharing that!
I want to make this today, my mother in law will be joining my family of 5 for dinner and today is the PERFECT chili day! About how many one cup servings does this make?
This recipe makes approximately 10-12 servings, Thank you for trying it out!
Did I miss the serving size? Is it 1 cup for what was listed for nutritional value? I track macros so just need to know how to track in MyFitnessPal
Thanks ?
It changes by each person making the recipe so I don’t provide it. I would average a cup and half as a serving. Thanks for asking! My Fitness Pal is a great tool – you can also use a Recipe Calculator for homemade meals since people use such different ingredients when cooking at home. I used this one when I was using MFP – hope it’s helpful!
https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
This recipe is amazing–always a hit! I use a pound of ground beef and a pound of hot pork sausage, and as a time (and dirty dish) saver, I cook the meat and veggies all together and drain before adding the spices. It works great!
So glad you love it! I enjoy the addition of sausage too but I can only use heat/spice when my boys aren’t eating with us. Thanks for sharing your tweaks!
I love making this chili! Does the calorie count include the cheese and sour cream?
Thanks!
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for commenting. The additions to your cheese are not included in the nutrition portion.
I tweaked the recipe alittle. I used V-8 juice instead of Tomato juice. I also added some sofrito i recently made. Otherwise its perfect.
Ive heard from lots of people they’ve enjoyed V-8 and I can imagine its a great tweak to this recipe so thanks for the recommendation! Thank you for letting me know you tried it and sofrito was good in it too.
can this be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until the next morning? My family loves this chili and we want to make it for a busy day we have coming up this week, but I won’t have time to make it that morning.
Yes! I think chili and spaghetti often taste better the second day! It’ll be delicious and ready for your family. Thanks for asking!
We are a chili family and have tried hundreds of different recipes. We have landed on this one and it is our families favorite! Thank you!
That’s awesome! Thank you so much for trying it and coming back to comment. Have a great day!
This is by far the BEST chili recipe. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!!
Thank you !! I love to hear that! Enjoy lots of it this winter – the perfect comfort food! Thank you for sharing!
This is fantastic !!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to let me know!