Stovetop Beef Chili

Written by
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Linda Larsen
Updated 10/09/20
Stovetop beef chili
The Spruce
  • Total: 35 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Servings: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
1063 Calories
15g Fat
163g Carbs
73g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 1063
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 567mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 163g 59%
Dietary Fiber 46g 164%
Protein 73g
Calcium 488mg 38%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

There's nothing better on a cold winter day than sitting down to a bowl of hot and spicy chili. And although many of us have gotten used to making our chili in the slow cooker, there is something nice about a simmering pot of comforting chili on the stovetop. You also have a bit more control over the dish, giving it a stir once in a while and making sure the meat isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan.

This simple recipe for stovetop beef chili has a lot of flavor since the onions and ground beef are cooked together creating the base of the dish. The beef absorbs some of the onion flavors, and the liquid from the onions helps keep the beef moist and tender.

This easy version of chili is hearty and filling, and nourishing too. It is also economical as it stretches a pound of ground beef to feed six people. Serve with a nice cold beer for the adults and milk for the kids.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 cup water (or beef stock)
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (8-ounce) can taco sauce
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 2 or 3 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Stovetop Chili.
    The Spruce

  2. In a heavy stockpot, sauté the ground beef with the onion and garlic until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, stirring frequently to break the meat into small pieces.

    Combined stovetop chili ingredients.
    The Spruce

  3. Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture; cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes.

    Thickening ground beef mixture with flour.
    The Spruce

  4. Add the diced tomatoes, water or beef stock, tomato sauce, taco sauce, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and red kidney beans. Bring to a boil.

    Tomatoes and beans added to the pot for chili.
    The Spruce

  5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently until the flavors are blended and the chili is slightly thickened.

    Stovetop chili cooking.
    The Spruce

  6. Serve immediately with choice of toppings.

    Stovetop beef chili in a bowl.
    The Spruce

  7. Enjoy!

Tips

  • Add a crisp green salad or a cold fruit salad and some hot cornbread or homemade cheese crackers for a complete meal.
  • Chili is ideal when served with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack cheeses, and sliced olives, scallions, and avocado. The kids will love crushed up tortilla chips sprinkled on top or even Saltine crackers served alongside.
  • Chili doesn't need to only be eaten in a bowl! Consider using chili as a filling for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, or as an ingredient for loaded nachos. Set up a baked potato bar with a variety of toppings including cheeses, sour cream or yogurt, chives, bacon, and of course chili. At your next barbecue, offer chili as a condiment for hot dogs or place a spoonful on a plate of crispy French fries. You can even turn your chili into a comforting casserole, top with biscuit batter, and bake until golden.

Recipe Variations

  • If you like spicy food, add a can of diced green chiles or diced jalapeños along with the tomatoes. You can also include some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
  • If you are trying to cut down on red meat, use ground chicken or turkey, or even ground pork sausage in place of the ground beef.
  • Substitute canned black beans in place of the red kidney beans—or use a mixture of both.
  • For extra vegetables, add diced bell pepper, mushrooms, and corn.