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    Home » Beef

    Quick Chili Recipe

    Published: Aug 15, 2018 / Updated: Feb 2, 2020 / 28 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This quick chili recipe is hearty, flavorful, and ready in only 30 minutes! You can easily customize the heat level and add your favorite toppings.

    quick ground beef chili in a white bowl

    This chili is made with ground beef, red kidney beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and an assortment of spices that pack it with flavor in a short cooking time.

    My husband is a huge chili fan, and this quick chili recipe passed his taste test. Because you totally care what he thinks in these matters. 😛

    You can have a really tasty easy homemade chili from scratch on a weeknight without having to simmer it for ages.

    I suppose this is one of those good transitional recipes that work for late summer/early fall. You don't really have to heat up your kitchen, it's quick, but it's also delicious for when the crisper nights start to show up.

    It's also great for the start of the football season. Think chili dogs, bowls of chili, cornbread, etc.

    ground beef chili in a white bowl with a spoon

    How to make chili fast

    Chop your onion and get it in the pot. Meanwhile, prep the rest of your ingredients. Once the onion is softened (lightly browned is good too - adds more flavor), add in the beef and brown it for about 5 minutes.

    Add in the remaining ingredients and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Boom! Chili in half an hour.

    Pro tip: This beef and bean chili does have a bit of heat. If you want it milder, omit the cayenne pepper. If you want it hotter, double it.

    Chili topping suggestions:

    • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • Jalapenos
    • Scallions or red onions
    • Cilantro
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Bacon
    • Corn chips
    • Avocado

    ...the list goes on!

    More ground beef recipes you'll love:

    • Crockpot Beef Chili
    • Easy Black Bean Chili
    • Easy Hamburger Soup
    • Macaroni Soup
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
    • Instant Pot Beef Chili

    close-up of quick beef chili in a white bowl with avocado, sour cream, and parsley toppings

    Hope you will give this quick and easy chili recipe a try!

    Questions? Ask me in the comments below!

    The best quick and easy beef chili recipe is right here! 30 minutes on the stove and you're done. It's healthy and totally delicious.

    Quick Chili Recipe

    This quick chili recipe is hearty, flavorful, and ready in only 30 minutes! You can easily customize the heat level and add your favorite toppings.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Tex-Mex
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
    • 1 (19 fluid ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
    • 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Suggested toppings (optional)

    • Shredded cheddar cheese
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Sour cream 
    • Corn chips
    • Scallions or red onions
    • Chopped avocado

    Instructions
     

    • Add olive oil to a fairly large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes or until it's softened (ok if it's lightly browned). 
    • Add the beef to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up as you go. There shouldn't be a lot of fat released if you used very lean beef, but if there is, spoon most of the fat out. 
    • Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. 
    • Add the beans and diced tomatoes. Increase heat to high and bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
    • Season with salt & pepper as needed, then serve with desired toppings and enjoy. 

    Notes

    • Anything between 1-1.5 pounds of ground beef will work fine in this chili recipe.
    • You can use normal diced tomatoes if you can't find fire-roasted, but I do like the extra flavor the fire-roasted ones add.
    • This recipe freezes well.
    Keyword quick and easy chili, quick chili recipe
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Easy Three Bean Salad
    Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe »

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    1. C Baxter says

      January 30, 2022 at 5:51 PM

      5 stars
      This was voted super amazing! I did improvise a little add venison and had some jarred and frozen sauce to use up so I doubled it and still added fire roasted tomatoes. Will deffinately make again.

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 30, 2022 at 6:11 PM

        Fabulous!! You're welcome!

        Reply
    2. Stephanie says

      February 9, 2021 at 11:46 AM

      I can't wait to try this recipe tonight! But I forgot to get Worcestershire sauce. What's a good substitute?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 9, 2021 at 12:04 PM

        Hi! I would probably just leave it out. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that has that umami flavor that isn't replicated in anything else. It has a touch of anchovy, but not so much that I'd suggest adding anything anchovy-related to your chili haha. Just be sure to salt the chili well. 🙂 If it's at all bland tasting, I'd just add in some more spices.

        Reply
      • SANDY MOODY says

        April 19, 2021 at 5:12 PM

        you don't need it (or to substitute it. I say that because I never use it! Can't stand the stuff!

        Reply
    3. Azure says

      January 31, 2021 at 9:04 AM

      This was great! We substituted lean ground beef with Beyond Ground Meat. It took a little longer to brown than real meat, but it still turned out just as delicious! Put some plant based bacon crumbles on top as well!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 31, 2021 at 11:23 AM

        Fantastic!!

        Reply
    4. Ashley says

      November 28, 2020 at 4:33 PM

      5 stars
      Awesome! This is my go to chili recipe. I just add a bell pepper.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 28, 2020 at 10:15 PM

        Great!! Thanks so much for commenting! XO

        Reply
    5. Kim says

      October 18, 2020 at 3:31 PM

      My only question is - do I cook with pot covered or uncovered? I’m using a Dutch oven! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 18, 2020 at 3:45 PM

        Hi! Pretty sure I cooked it uncovered, but if you leave the lid slightly ajar that's fine. Hope you like the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Haley M says

      October 8, 2020 at 3:18 PM

      5 stars
      Found this recipe last minute while looking for a great way to use my ground beef. It turned out amazing! I added zucchini (because i had a craving), and my boyfriend and I polished off 2 bowls each. He finished the pot when he came home from work. Great recipe and easy to follow!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 8, 2020 at 5:00 PM

        I'm so happy you two enjoyed it!! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Viviana says

      May 25, 2020 at 3:25 PM

      I knew I had most of the ingredients to make chili but when I found this one, I was only missing Worcestershire sauce. My boyfriend was “hangry” so I needed to find something for us to eat fast. This recipe saved the day! Even without Worcestershire sauce, this chili was delicious and savory. I added some fresh jalapeños, shredded Gouda and a dollop of sour cream. Perfection. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 25, 2020 at 3:32 PM

        Yay!! I'm so happy it worked out 🙂

        Reply
    8. Robert Jones says

      April 12, 2020 at 11:45 AM

      5 stars
      This recipe has two attributes you don't usually see together with chili: quick and tasty. Definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 12, 2020 at 3:46 PM

        I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    9. Wade says

      October 1, 2019 at 5:37 PM

      5 stars
      Worked like a charm. We added one finely chopped fresh jalapeno because we like a little extra spice but the recipe needs no tweeking for flavor. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 1, 2019 at 8:58 PM

        Excellent! So glad you liked it, Wade! 🙂

        Reply
      • Rh says

        April 10, 2020 at 3:11 PM

        5 stars
        This has become a staple. Good stuff!

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          April 10, 2020 at 8:11 PM

          Awesome!! Thanks for letting me know!

          Reply
    10. Crystal says

      September 28, 2019 at 5:45 PM

      5 stars
      Found this recipe today when it’s cold and rainy here today chili is exactly what we needed. I added a little brown sugar, it was quick, easy, and tasty 😋.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 28, 2019 at 6:59 PM

        So glad you liked it! Thanks so much for leaving me a comment!

        Reply
    11. Latannya says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:15 PM

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe for the first time tonight, a cold evening relaxing with the family. Awesome recipe.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 1, 2019 at 9:08 AM

        Yay!! So happy to hear you liked it. Stay warm!

        Reply
    12. Linda says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:12 PM

      5 stars
      This recipe is definitely a keeper because sometimes you just want a big bowl of comforting meals. And this chili recipe is a must-try recipe.

      Reply
      • Michaela says

        December 1, 2021 at 4:57 PM

        5 stars
        This was so good and extremely easy! I ate mine with sour cream, corn chips, Mexican cheese, hot sauce, and some leftover pasta.

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          December 1, 2021 at 5:09 PM

          Wonderful!! Love those toppings.

          Reply

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