Make Your Cozy Quick Easy Chili Recipe on Stove Top Tonight

Whipping up a quick easy chili recipe on stove top can turn an ordinary evening into a flavor-packed adventure.

My grandma’s secret method always brings smiles around the dinner table.

Hearty ingredients transform simple cooking into something magical.

Spices dance through the pot, creating layers of rich, comforting warmth.

Nobody needs hours of preparation to enjoy a delicious meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Chunky beans, tender meat, and bold seasonings promise a satisfying dinner that comes together faster than you might expect.

Grab a ladle and let’s make something seriously delicious.

Quick Easy Chili on Stove Top Overview

• Customize with Ease: Personalize your bowl by adding favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro to match your taste preferences.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Prepare a delicious meal using just one pot, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your fantastic chili creation.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner: Perfect for family gatherings, game nights, or casual weeknight meals that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Easy Chili Ingredients

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substantial texture to the chili.

• Onions, Garlic: Essential ingredients that create a deep, savory base and enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Kidney Beans: Classic chili legume that adds protein and a creamy texture to the recipe.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture, acidity, and a fresh tomato flavor to the chili.

• Broth, Water: Helps create the right consistency and allows ingredients to simmer and meld together.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt, Pepper: Signature spices that deliver classic chili flavor and depth of taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté aromatics and prevents sticking while adding a mild flavor to the base.

Chili Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Grab a large pot and drizzle olive oil across the bottom.

Set your stove to medium heat and let the oil start to shimmer and dance.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Toss in your chopped onions and minced garlic.

Stir them around until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful fragrance throughout the kitchen.

Step 3: Brown the Protein

Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles.

Cook until the meat transforms from pink to a rich, appetizing brown color with crispy edges.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together and let the spices toast for about a minute, awakening their deep, complex flavors.

Step 5: Build the Chili Base

• Kidney beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth or water

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, creating a bubbling symphony of ingredients.

Step 6: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Reduce the heat to low, allowing the chili to gently bubble.

Let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Final Touches and Serving

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Tips for Quick Easy Chili

• Toast spices in the pot before adding liquid to intensify their aromatic qualities and create a richer taste profile.
• Select ground beef with 80/20 fat content for the perfect balance of juiciness and lean protein without excessive greasiness.
• Adjust chili powder and cumin quantities to match your personal heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually increasing.
• Let the chili cook on low heat to allow flavors to meld together, creating a more complex and harmonious dish.
• Add a small amount of cornmeal or masa harina during simmering to thicken the chili and give it a subtle, authentic southwestern texture.

Chili Variations to Try

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like textured vegetable protein (TVP), lentils, or black beans for a meat-free version.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or hot sauce to increase heat and create a more intense flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach.
• Low-Carb Chili: Omit beans and increase meat quantity, using cauliflower rice as a base to reduce carbohydrate content for keto diet followers.

Serving Suggestions for Chili

• Cozy Game Night Companion: Serve this hearty chili during board game gatherings with friends, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere that keeps everyone satisfied.
• Tailgate Party Star: Bring this chili in a slow cooker to outdoor sports events, where it becomes an instant crowd-pleaser that fuels fans and keeps them energized.
• Comfort Bowl Delight: Top the chili with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions for a restaurant-style presentation that elevates the home-cooked meal.
• Meal Prep Champion: Portion the chili into meal prep containers for easy lunches during the week, as it tastes even better after the flavors have melded overnight in the refrigerator.

Storage Advice for Chili

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best flavor and texture.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to restore moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat for this chili?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even use a vegetarian meat alternative like plant-based crumbles.

• How spicy will this chili be?

The recipe provides a mild base. You can adjust the heat by adding more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or including diced jalapeños for extra kick.

• Is this chili recipe budget-friendly?

Absolutely! It uses simple, affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and basic spices, making it an economical meal for families.

• Can I make this chili in a slow cooker instead?

Yes, you can. Brown the meat and sauté onions first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Quick Easy Chili Recipe on Stove Top

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty chili con carne simmers with robust spices and tender ground beef, promising a comforting meal that warms from the inside out. Packed with rich flavors and simple ingredients, this classic dish invites you to savor each spoonful of homemade goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Base Ingredients:

• 1 can kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Green onions

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a substantial pot over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling base for the chili.
2. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
3. Introduce ground beef to the pot, methodically crumbling the meat and allowing it to brown thoroughly, developing rich caramelized flavors.
4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper across the meat, stirring vigorously to distribute spices and enhance the overall taste profile.
5. Gently fold in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and liquid broth, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated and evenly distributed.
6. Elevate heat momentarily to trigger a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer for approximately 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Periodically stir the chili, preventing ingredient settlement and promoting uniform cooking throughout the pot.
8. Taste and calibrate seasonings, adding additional spices if needed to achieve desired depth and complexity.
9. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with preferred toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro for a personalized finishing touch.

Notes

• Boost meat flavor by using a blend of ground beef and ground pork for richer taste and texture.
• Enhance spice complexity by toasting chili powder and cumin in dry pan before adding to recipe, releasing deeper, more robust aromatics.
• Make recipe gluten-free by ensuring broth is certified gluten-free and checking all spice blend ingredients.
• Create vegetarian version by replacing ground meat with plant-based crumbles or extra beans like black and pinto for protein diversity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg