Simple Chili with Ground Beef

Simple Ground Beef Chili
Quick, Simple Ground Beef Chili. Diana Rattray
  • 35 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins,
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yield: 6 Servings
Ratings (21)

By Diana Rattray

Updated 10/23/17

Chili seasoning mix makes this a very simple, tasty chili. Spice this simple ground beef chili up with hot ground cayenne pepper, extra chili powder, chopped jalapeno peppers or mild chiles, cilantro, or other favorite ingredients. Scale the recipe up for a big party or game day gathering.

85% lean beef is a good ratio for chili, but feel free to go a little leaner to cut back on the fat content of the chili. 

I've included a simple homemade chili seasoning mixture that can be used instead of a commercial mix.

See also
​Spicy Chili With Ground Beef and Pork 

What You'll Need

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 envelope (1 3/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix (see the homemade mix below)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans or pinto beans, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

How to Make It

  1. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet.
  2. Cook the ground beef and onions over medium heat until it is no longer pink.
  3. Stir in chili seasoning mix, and then add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Serve this chili with freshly baked cornbread or crackers.

Serves 6.

Tips and Variations

  • Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix - Combine 1 tablespoon of chili powder with 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons of dried minced onion, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
  • Substitute canned black beans for the kidney beans or pinto beans.
  • For a hot chili, add jalapeno peppers or crushed red pepper flakes, to taste.
  • Use seasoned "zesty" chili style tomatoes in the recipe or make it with fire-roasted tomatoes.
  •  Take the chili it along to the party or tailgating event in a crockpot. Turn the crockpot on low for serving.

 

Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 543
Total Fat 16 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Unsaturated Fat 7 g
Cholesterol 101 mg
Sodium 112 mg
Carbohydrates 50 g
Dietary Fiber 14 g
Protein 48 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)