I don't know about you but I LOVE a good bowl of chili! And I don't like funky chili variations. It just needs to be a great classic bowl of chili. And this classic chili is perfect to satisfy that craving!
I have to be honest, I have messed with a lot of chili recipes trying to find one that my husband liked. He is very picky traditional in his tastes. 🙂 So I'm happy to say, not only my husband, but my babies Coco and Ash love this one as well! I just make it mild for them. This chili is full of flavor and so hearty. It's perfect for leftovers too! I usually make a large batch and eat it all week long!
So if you want a bowl of chili that taste like chili SHOULD taste, here it is!
Ingredients:
(Note: I know this seems like a lot of ingredients but most of them are very inexpensive and this is super easy to make) 🙂
Okay, here we go!
First heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When you pan is hot, add in your meat and season it with 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook until it's browned throughout. 
While you are waiting for the meat to cook, you can chop your onion, green pepper, and garlic. Just don't forget that your meat is cooking. Stir it around every few minutes. Now if you don't have one of these food scraper/chopper things. Get one now! It's one of those kitchen items that doesn't cost much but you'll use it ALL the time! 
By the way, can we talk about how gigantic my garlic cloves were?! I know the recipe calls for 4 cloves but I only used 2 of these mutants. 
Ok so once your meat is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. I used lean beef and turkey so I didn't need to drain it but if yours is too greasy, go ahead and drain it as well. 
In the same pot, over medium heat, add in your chopped onion and green pepper and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). You can add another tablespoon of olive oil if your pan is too dry. 
Once your onions and peppers are translucent, add in your garlic and sauté for only another 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add in ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon cumin, 3 tablespoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. (I didn't add the cayenne this time since my kids were eating it)
Stir in your seasonings and then add your meat back in to the pot. Stir that together then add in all of your other ingredients which include: the cans of tomato sauce, both beans (drained), the fire roasted diced tomatoes, the cocoa powder, and oregano. I know cocoa powder seems like something super funky to put in here but you won't taste any "chocolate". It just gives the whole dish a rounded richness that takes this chili over the top! I also put a picture of the fire roasted tomatoes in here so you can know what to look for. 🙂 They have such a good charred flavor to them and they're not spicy at all. 
So now everything should be in your pot!
Cover the pot, put it on low, and let it simmer for 2 hours. You could also make this ahead the night before and just don't simmer it that night. Instead pop it in the crockpot in the morning on low for about 8 hours.
When your ready to enjoy it, serve it in a bowl and top it with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream!
Classic Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground meat I use 1 lb. lean beef and 1 lb. turkey but use what you prefer
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 3 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Just leave this out if you're making it for little ones
- 29 oz can of tomato sauce
- Another 15oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 - 14.5 ounce cans of Hunt's fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 15.5 ounce can of red kidney beans drained
- 15.8 ounce can of great northern beans drained
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 🙂 trust me
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium high heat and add in your olive oil and then your meat.
- Season your meat with 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- While your meat is browning, chop your onion, green pepper, and garlic.
- Once your meat is cooked through, drain it if necessary and remove it from the pan. I just set it aside in a bowl.
- In your same heated pot, add in your chopped onions and green peppers and cook for about 5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add in your garlic and cook for 2 more minutes then remove from heat.
- Once your garlic is cooked, add in ½ teaspoon salt, ½ black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper and stir together.
- Add your meat back to the pan and add in the rest of your ingredients: Tomato sauce cans, diced tomatoes, beans, cocoa powder, and oregano.
- Stir everything together to combine, reduce your heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 2 hours while stirring occasionally OR place in the crockpot on low for 7-8 hours.
- Enjoy!
Amanda Mason says
So funny that I ran across this recipe tonight! We had chili tonight at my house, but to be honest, I've been making the same recipe for years! I'm excited to try a new variation! Just printed this one out!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Coco and Ash says
I hope you like it!! 🙂
Boastful Food says
Nice use of the "secret" ingredient. I'm sure that adds a nice layer of flavor to this already amazing looking chili.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you! It really does make it taste so good!
Jill says
hahaha - traditional vs. picky. Such a diplomatic thing to say 🙂 This looks like a fantastic recipe for chili. I agree with you. I just like plain old traditional chili. I will try this!
Coco and Ash says
hahah he has come a long way!! And thank you!
H Jewell says
How many does one batch serve? I’m planning on making this for a group. I don’t see anywhere on the recipe for how many it serves? Wondering if I need to double it?
Coco and Ash says
It makes a good amount at least six full big bowls.
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Not quite chili season/weather here in LA right now, but I would SOOO look forward to this sometime in January. Lovely recipe!
Coco and Ash says
Im in Florida so it's definitely not "chili" weather here either but I still enjoy it. I just may have to crank the AC down a bit lol
Brian Jones says
That sounds delicious, and very similar to how I make my chili although I always add a little coacoa powder... It does not make it sweet or chocolaty, it kinda adds a mellowness and roundness to the dish 🙂
Coco and Ash says
Thank you! I definitely love the cocoa powder in this chili. You'd never know it was there...until it wasn't 🙂
Ashley says
Made this for dinner tonight, but I put it in the crock pot around noon on low (cooked for about 6 hrs)and it was SO GOOD! Thanks for another fabulous recipe.
Coco and Ash says
So glad you liked it!! 🙂
Tasha says
How many people would you say this feeds?
Coco and Ash says
Hi Tasha! It makes a pretty large pot so I would say VERY comfortably 6-8 🙂
McFly says
Have made many variations of this chilli, so so good. Try putting some chopped up cooked bacon in this for another taste bud treat.
Coco and Ash says
Ohhh bacon sounds amazing too! Thank you!
Paige says
So I can throw everything in the crockpot and it will cook perfect? I don't have to cook the beef beforehand?
Coco and Ash says
Noooooo. Go to step 9, and then add to the slow cooker to simmer. 🙂
Sophia says
Very tasty. But I'm not sure if I have chili powder on steroids at my house... I put 2 tablespoon and this was almost uneditable for how hot it was. I recommend others start with half a tablespoon and work they're way up.
Coco and Ash says
Oh wow! I’m a wimp when it comes to spice and I’ve never had that happen. Definitely try cutting it back next time 🙂
Debby says
Make sure you're using chili powder, NOT POWDERED CHILIES. Chili powder is a seasoning blend with many different herbs and spices in it.
Kaysi says
I love love this recipe! Our go to and favorite! Making it for a Christmas party this weekend and now wondering how many in serves? Thanks!
Coco and Ash says
Safely serves 8 (at least) 🙂