By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 17, 2023
This Easy Chili Recipe is quick, simple, and delicious! You only need 6 ingredients, including ground beef, beans, chili seasoning, broth, and salsa (my secret ingredient for convenience). This flavorful homemade chili is always a hit, and a cozy dinner will be on the table in just 30 minutes!
What’s in this 6-Ingredient Chili
You only need a handful of ingredients, one pot, and 30 minutes to make this super easy chili recipe. It’s the perfect recipe for beginners because it’s totally foolproof!
- Ground Beef: Use ground beef , or swap it with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Chili Seasoning: I use my homemade chili seasoning , but you can use your favorite.
- Beans: A can of kidney beans is quick and convenient. You can use your favorite type of bean if you prefer.
- Salsa: A jar of chunky salsa adds all the flavor and texture you’d usually need multiple ingredients for. Try a spicy salsa if you want to add some heat.
- Broth: I use low-sodium beef broth for the best flavor.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is definitely optional, so if you don’t like like it, skip it!
What are the best toppings for easy chili?
I love to load up every bowl of homemade chili with lots of toppings, and you can really add whatever you want. Here are some favorites.
- Shredded Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Crackers
- Garlic Croutons
- Green Onions
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Bacon Crumbles
- Cilantro
- Hot Sauce
Typical chili spices include things like chili pepper and chili powder, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, paprika, and oregano. Using a chili seasoning blend brings everything together, so it’s much easier and quicker.
This quick chili recipe only needs about 15-20 minutes to simmer on the stove. If you have the time, feel free to let it simmer a little longer to continue deepening the flavor.
Yes, you need to cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, Then you can add the rest of the ingredients to make the chili.
Yes, if you prefer a meatless chili, simply skip the first steps with the ground beef. Add all ingredients to the pot and simmer together. You could also use a plant-based meat crumble, in place of the beef, following the same instructions.
How to Store and Reheat Easy Chili
Store leftover chili in an airtight container, and keep it in the refrigerator up to 4 days. It’s quick and easy to reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between. You can also reheat it on the stovetop, gently simmering and stirring until warmed through.
This is a great make ahead recipe, because the flavor only gets better while it sits in the fridge.
How to Freeze Quick and Easy Chili
Let it cool to room temperature, then store beef chili in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags (to freeze flat). Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve with Homemade Chili
This flavorful, easy chili recipe makes for the best comfort meal. I always serve cornbread or another hearty bread with it (like beer bread or rosemary focaccia ), and Air Fryer baked potatoes make a good side dish too. It also makes a great topping for chili dogs . And this recipe is a gameday favorite that pairs well with meatball subs , cheese fries , and Instant Pot Pulled Pork .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- ▢ 1 ounce chili seasoning store-bought or homemade (1 packet)
- ▢ 30 ounces kidney beans fully drained and rinsed (2 (15-ounce) cans)
- ▢ 32 ounces chunky salsa (2 (16-ounce) jars) – the chunkiest you can find (see note)
- ▢ 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Garnishes
- ▢ Sour cream
- ▢ Shredded cheese
- ▢ Crackers
- ▢ Fresh cilantro
- ▢ Chopped onions
- ▢ Sliced jalapeños
Video
Instructions
- Heat beef in a dutch oven over medium high heat, crumbling as it cooks. 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- Once beef is crumbled, stir in the chili seasoning and continue to stir while it cooks. 1 ounce chili seasoning
- When beef is no longer pink, stir in the beans, salsa, beef broth, and cilantro. Stir to fully combine. 30 ounces kidney beans, 32 ounces chunky salsa, 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Reduce heat to simmer and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve with garnishes of your choice. Sour cream, Shredded cheese, Crackers, Fresh cilantro, Chopped onions, Sliced jalapeños
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Becky’s Tips
- Note: If you want your chili spicier, you can grab a spicier salsa. Works like a charm!
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Homemade Chili Recipes We Love
- Classic Chili
- Chili Con Carne
- White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Chili
- Turkey Chili
- Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Sweet Potato Chili
- Crockpot Chili
- Spicy White Chicken Chili
- Cincinatti Chili
Easy Chili Recipe (Only 6 Ingredients!)
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 ounce chili seasoning store-bought or homemade (1 packet)
- 30 ounces kidney beans fully drained and rinsed (2 (15-ounce) cans)
- 32 ounces chunky salsa (2 (16-ounce) jars) - the chunkiest you can find (see note)
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Garnishes
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Crackers
- Fresh cilantro
- Chopped onions
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Heat beef in a dutch oven over medium high heat, crumbling as it cooks. 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- Once beef is crumbled, stir in the chili seasoning and continue to stir while it cooks. 1 ounce chili seasoning
- When beef is no longer pink, stir in the beans, salsa, beef broth, and cilantro. Stir to fully combine. 30 ounces kidney beans, 32 ounces chunky salsa, 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Reduce heat to simmer and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve with garnishes of your choice. Sour cream, Shredded cheese, Crackers, Fresh cilantro, Chopped onions, Sliced jalapeños
Video
Notes
- Note: If you want your chili spicier, you can grab a spicier salsa. Works like a charm!
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
