Ground Beef Chili with Beans {7 recipe Variations included}

This is a basic quick and easy ground beef chili with beans recipe that can easily be adapted with more seasonings and spices, plus other add-ins. I keep it on the mild side for my daughter but feel free to add more chipotle chili powder if you like.

A blue bowl filled with ground beef chili in a rich, thick sauce is topped with a shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and some minced fresh parsley. A spoon sticking out from this hearty dish beckons you to take a bite. In the background, a napkin lays crumpled on the table alongside some small saltine crackers.

Chili is a mainstay in our home all year-round, not just in the winter. We serve this is as an easy and affordable meal and it’s especially great as a make-ahead meal or lazy weekend. Chili is even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld so we always make a big pot and plan for the leftovers.

This is a basic quick and easy ground beef chili with beans recipe that can easily be adapted with more seasonings and spices, plus other add-ins. I keep it on the mild side for my daughter but feel free to add more chipotle chili powder if you like (I’ve included 7 recipe variations below – so keep reading). 

We like our chili served with a variety of sides and toppings like tortilla chips, cornbread, saltines, shredded cheese, fresh white onions, sour cream, and hot sauce. Personally, I think chili is amazing over a loaded baked potato for an easy meal.  

Ground beef chili Ingredients and Tools:

  • Ground Beef, (I use lean ground beef)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Chili Powder
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Ground pepper
  • Beans (optional)

How to prepare beef chili

For full instructions, see the printable recipe card below, but you will:

  1. Brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic.
  2. Add the seasonings.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce and beans.
  4. Adjust seasonings, if necessary.
  5. Simmer to perfection.
  6. Serve with your favorite accompaniments.

Variations on ground beef chili recipe:

    • Saucier – add a second can of tomato sauce and adjust the seasonings accordingly, to taste.
    • Hearty – add a can of diced tomatoes and another can of drained and rinsed beans.
    • Zesty – add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
    • Smoky – replace sweet paprika with smoked paprika.
    • Tex-Mex – use diced stew beef instead of ground beef – requires a much longer simmer.
    • Chicken or Turkey – replace ground beef with ground chicken or turkey.
    • vegetarian – replace ground beef with soy protein crumbles.

 blue bowl filled with ground beef chili in a rich, thick sauce is topped with a shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and some minced fresh parsley.

How to store leftover chili?

  • Store leftover chili in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to reheat leftover ground beef chili with beans?

  • Reheat on the stovetop over low heat. It may be necessary to add a 1/8 cup of water to loosen it up some in the pan.
  • Microwave in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power at one-minute intervals, stirring between each additional interval of time.

How can I repurpose leftover chili?

  • Serving leftover chili over baked potatoes or tortilla chips is our favorite way to use up leftover ground beef chili.

Side Dish Ideas | What to serve with quick and Easy ground beef chili with beans

  • Sweet Cornbread
  • Rice
  • Tortilla chips
  • saltine crackers (I like Oyster soup crackers)
  • Baked Potatoes

Looking for a chili recipe? Check out some of my other Chili Recipes:

Close-up photo of a blue bowl filled with quick and easy  ground beef chili with beans in a rich, thick sauce is topped with a shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and some minced fresh parsley.

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Ground Beef Chili with Beans 1

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Ground Beef Chili with Beans

Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming
This Easy Ground beef chili is thick and rich and comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve with cornbread, saltines, tortilla chips, or over a loaded baked potato for a delicious weeknight or lazy weekend meal.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef , 93% or leaner
  • 1 medium onion , diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin [See Note 1]
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tsp salt , more or less to taste
  • 1 tsp ground pepper more or less to taste
  • 2 cups kidney beans if canned -rinsed and drained

Instructions
 

  • Place the ground beef in a large pot and add the onions and garlic.
  • Cook over medium heat until browned.
  • Drain off any excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and ground black pepper.
  • Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low.
  • For a quick weeknight meal, simmer over low heat for 25minutes, stirring occasionally.
    If you have more time, simmer on low for an hour, stirring occassionally.
  • If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
  • Taste and adjust the seasonings. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes.

Notes

  1. Use more or less cumin to taste.
  2. Variations:
    • Saucier - add a second can of tomato sauce and adjust the seasonings accordingly, to taste.
    • Hearty - add a can of diced tomatoes and another can of drained and rinsed beans.
    • Zesty - add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.smoky - replace sweet paprika with smoked paprika.
    • Tex-Mex - use diced stew beef instead of ground beef
    • Turkey - replace ground beef with ground turkey
    • vegetarian - replace ground beef with protein crumbles

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/6th of recipe)Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 39gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 732mgPotassium: 972mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1119IUVitamin C: 5mgVitamin D: 1µgVitamin E: 2mgVitamin K: 10µgCalcium: 50mgFolate: 93µgIron: 6mgZinc: 9mg
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