🌶️ Rich, Bold & Hearty: The Best Homemade Chili Recipe (with SCOUPS)

Tools You’ll Need

SCOUPS 3-in-1 Kitchen Ladle

No chili night is complete without your SCOUPS kitchen ladle. Here’s why it’s a must-have:

• ✅ Perfect for scooping, stirring, and serving chili
• ✅ Features built-in measurements for ingredients like broth and tomato sauce
• ✅ The silicone edge scrapes every bit from the large dutch oven without scratching it
• ✅ Heat-resistant and dishwasher safe, making cleanup effortless

Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven

You’ll need a sturdy, deep pot with even heat distribution. A large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot is perfect for slow simmering and thickening the beef mixture.

Wooden Spoon

Use a flat-edged wooden spoon to break up ground beef and mix your chili seasoning thoroughly. A spatula works great too!

Ingredients

Here are the best chili ingredients for a rich, thick, flavor-packed result.

Ingredient	Quantity
Olive Oil	1 tablespoon
Medium Yellow Onion (diced)	1
Lean Ground Beef	1 pound
Chili Powder	2 ½ tablespoons
Ground Cumin	2 tablespoons
Granulated Sugar	1 tablespoon
Tomato Paste	2 tablespoons
Garlic Powder	1 tablespoon
Salt	1 ½ teaspoons
Black Pepper (or Ground Black Pepper)	½ teaspoon
Ground Cayenne Pepper (optional)	¼ teaspoon
Beef Broth	1 ½ cups
Diced Tomatoes (with juice)	1 (28 oz.) can
Red Kidney Beans (rinsed & drained)	1 (16 oz.) can
Tomato Sauce	1 (8 oz.) can
Optional Add-Ins: Bell peppers, sweet potato, black beans, corn

 

These ingredients bring bold flavor, balanced spice, and that rich tomato chili base everyone loves.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. This builds the base of your homemade chili flavor.

Step 2 – Brown the Beef

Add lean ground beef and break it up with your wooden spoon. Cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Browning is key—it develops flavor through caramelization.

Step 3 – Season the Chili

Add your dry seasonings: chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, sugar, black pepper, salt, and optional cayenne. Then stir in tomato paste. Blooming the spices in the fat intensifies their flavor.

Step 4 – Add Liquids & Simmer

Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and kidney beans. Stir with your SCOUPS kitchen ladle and bring to a low boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5 – Simmer & Rest

Remove from heat and let the chili rest for 5–10 minutes. This helps it thicken and allows the flavors to meld. If you want to thicken chili, let it simmer longer or add a spoonful of tomato paste.

Recipe Tips & Flavor Variations

• 🌶️ Want it spicier? Add ancho chili powder, chipotle, or a few dashes of hot sauce
• 🥕 Want it chunkier? Stir in bell peppers, sweet potato, or black beans
• 🔥 Want smoky flavor? Use fire-roasted crushed tomatoes or smoked paprika
• 🦃 Make it leaner: Use ground turkey or ground chicken
• 👶 Kid-friendly version: Reduce chili powder, skip cayenne, and top with shredded cheese

Why This Is the Best Chili Recipe

There are a million chili recipes out there, but this one hits the mark every single time. It’s rich, bold, and has that deep tomato-based flavor you crave in a classic beef chili.

Here’s why this chili recipe stands out:

• 🔥 Classic chili flavor with the perfect balance of chili powder, cumin, garlic, and tomato paste
• 🥫 Simple pantry staples — no complicated ingredients, just real flavor
• 🍲 One-pot wonder means minimal cleanup, especially with your SCOUPS ladle
• 🌶️ Customizable heat level — add spice or keep it mild for family-friendly dinners
• 🧊 Perfect for leftovers — this chili stores and freezes beautifully
• 🥄 SCOUPS-ready — the curved, flexible ladle helps you stir, scoop, and serve with ease

This homemade chili recipe is everything you want in a comforting meal, and it’s ready in under an hour.

The Secrets to Great Chili (FAQs)

What is the secret to really good chili?

It’s all about layering flavors. From sautéing the onions to blooming the spices and simmering slowly, each step adds depth. A great beef chili needs both acid and umami, so use both tomato paste and diced tomatoes for balance.

What is the secret ingredient for chili?

A little sugar balances acidity, but for pro-level flavor, try Worcestershire sauce, cocoa powder, or even a splash of soy sauce. These add umami richness.

What adds the most flavor to chili?

Your chili seasoning blend—especially the combination of chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder—is where the magic happens. Browning the ground meat and using a quality broth makes a big difference too.

How to deepen chili flavor?

Simmer longer, or chill overnight for next-day magic. You can also stir in beef bouillon, dark chocolate, or a few splashes of hot sauce for richness.

What kind of onion for chili?

Yellow onions are the best choice. They add sweetness without overpowering the dish. White onions are sharper and better raw (e.g., on top of chili dogs), while red onions work as a garnish.

Topping Ideas & Sides

Take your chili from good to unforgettable with these toppings:

• 🧀 Shredded cheddar cheese or shredded cheese blend
• 🥛 Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 🌿 Chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or white onion (chopped)
• 🥑 Avocado slices or corn chips
• 🍞 Cornbread, tortilla chips, or even over baked potatoes

Use your SCOUPS ladle to easily ladle soup or chili right into bowls or mugs. It’s curved perfectly to serve hearty chunks without spills.

Storing & Freezing Chili

Storage Type	Method	Duration
Fridge	Airtight container	4–5 days
Freezer	Freeze in portions (leave space)	2–3 months

Freeze chili before adding toppings like cheese or sour cream. Reheat gently on medium heat, stirring occasionally, to bring it back to that perfect texture.

SCOUPS Tip of the Day

The SCOUPS 3-in-1 kitchen ladle isn’t just for soup—it’s the ultimate chili-serving tool.

• 🥄 Stir with the sturdy handle
• 📏 Measure your stock and sauces using built-in cup and ml marks
• 🍲 Serve right into bowls without dripping thanks to the curved design
• 🧼 Toss it in the dishwasher afterward for easy cleanup

Once you try chili with SCOUPS, you’ll never go back to basic kitchen ladles again.

Final Scoop 🍽️

This easy chili recipe ground beef brings bold flavor, flexibility, and hearty satisfaction in every spoonful. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or making cozy leftovers for the week, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

And with SCOUPS by your side, you’ll do it all with less mess, more efficiency, and a whole lot more joy in your kitchen.

Ready to Level Up Your Kitchen Game?

Grab your SCOUPS ladle today and make chili night the easiest—and tastiest—part of your week.