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Southern Homemade Chili

My Southern Homemade Chili recipe is made with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, chili beans, a cozy blend of spices, a little sweetness, my secret ingredient and as much spicy as you like!

Chili in a bowl with chips, sour cream, cheese and green onions and condiments in the background with a red dish towel
Overhead shot of bowl of chili  with chips, sour cream, cheese and green onions and condiments in the background

My Southern Homemade Chili recipe is the perfect comfort food on a cooler day. This is also a delicious accompaniment for watching a football game on a lazy Sunday with the family!

This easy recipe is made with ground beef, tomatoes, tomato sauce, onions, chili beans, my own spice blend, my secret ingredient (shhhhh….cocoa powder) a little brown sugar and some cayenne for kicking it up to spicy. We honestly don’t like it very spicy, so feel free to add more cayenne to your taste.

Do you have picky eaters at your house? Me too!!! This happens to be my picky eater’s favorite dinner recipe. It’s a great way to get in those protein servings and SO tasty too!

Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it’s pretty quick as well. This is what you will need:

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs (907g) ground beef (I use 85/15 ratio.)
  • 1 cup (115g) yellow onion, chopped
  • 15 oz (425g) tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz (411g) canned, diced tomatoes (Not drained. I like to use petite.)
  • 16 oz (454g) canned, chili beans (pinto beans) with medium chili sauce. (Not drained.)
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp oregano
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more to your taste)
  • 1 tsp salt
Labeled ingredients for chili

Instructions

Step 1. Add ground beef and chopped onions to a large frying pan or saucepan. (Image 1)

Step 2. Brown the ground beef and onions on medium heat. (Image 2)

Step 3. Once the beef is browned, drain the fat from the pan. (Image 3)

Step 4. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan with the meat and onions and mix thoroughly. (Image 4)

Step 5. Simmer chili for 30 minutes uncovered on low/medium heat, stirring often. (Image 5)

Step 6. Serve with chopped onions, shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips or cornbread. (Image 6)

Chili in a bowl with sour cream, cheese and green onions

Southern Homemade Chili

Michele Wendt
My Southern Homemade Chili recipe is made with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, chili beans, a cozy blend of spices, a little sweetness, my secret ingredient and as much spicy as you like!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 503 kcal
Ingredients
  
  • 2 lbs (907g) ground beef (I use 85/15 ratio.)
  • 1 cup (115g) yellow onion, chopped
  • 15 oz (425g) tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz (411g) canned, diced tomatoes (Not drained. I like to use petite.)
  • 16 oz (454g) canned, chili beans (pinto beans) with medium chili sauce. (Not drained.)
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp oregano
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or more to your taste
  • 1 tsp salt
Instructions
 
  • Add ground beef and chopped onions to a large frying pan or saucepan.
  • Brown the ground beef and onions on medium heat.
  • Once the beef is browned, drain the fat from the pan.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan with the meat and onions and mix thoroughly.
  • Simmer chili for 30 minutes uncovered on low/medium heat, stirring often.
  • Serve with chopped onions, shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips or cornbread.
Notes
Store leftover chili covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Chili can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Keyword Chili, Chili Con Carne, Homemade Chili, One Pot Recipes, Southern Style Chili

This chili is a great fall or winter meal the whole family will love. Nothing is better than a hot bowl of chili on a cold day! I hope you love it too.

Sweet regards,

Michele

A great dessert pair for this chili would be my Pumpkin Loaf Cake. SO good!

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