This Easy Homemade Chili will warm even the chilliest of nights. It’s an easy weeknight dinner, but feels special enough for entertaining.
This traditional chili is made with classic ingredients: ground beef, beans, seasonings and topped with fresh shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. It only takes 10 minutes to make and is packed full of flavor.

You know my passion for effortless entertaining, and currently, a quick and easy meal that everyone enjoys. Whether it be a tailgate, game day party, or fall outing this easy chili is one of the best dinners and doesn’t require a side dish! That makes this a win in my book.
When you take a bite, you’d never know that this easy chili takes just 10 minutes hands on time to make. It’s even easier to serve! Click here for more 10 minute dinner recipes, and don’t skip my Easy Minestrone Recipe if this is your family’s favorite kind of dinner!
I personally was never a big chili fan until a few years ago – until I found the perfect mix of seasoning, beef, beans, creme fraiche {or sour cream}, fresh shredded cheddar and chips to make it the perfect fall or winter dinner.
So many chili con carne recipes call for long cook times, but my quick chili results in the same rich taste in a fraction of the time.
Table of Contents
Easy Homemade Chili Ingredients
You just need a handful of ingredients to make the best quick chili!
- Ground beef
- Red bell pepper
- Dried onion
- Mexican chili beans
- Water or beer
- To serve: cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips

How to Make This Easy Homemade Chili
This chili only takes 10 minutes to make!
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium high heat, adding red pepper and dried onion.
- When nearly cooked, add chili beans. Continue to stir and reduce to medium low heat. We tend to like ours thicker, but you can add ¼ c water or up to a bottle of hoppy beer if you wish.
- While the meat is cooking, shred cheddar {it’s so much better than pre-shredded, I promise.}
- Top with sour cream, cheese and chips.
Recipe Variations
If you prefer your chili with a soup consistency, just add a 12 ounce bottle of beer in place of the water. The hoppier, the better, like an IPA.

Chili Toppings
- Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Scallions
- Guacamole
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Shredded Lettuce
- Tortilla Chips
- Corn Chips
I also highly recommending taking a minute or two to freshly shred your cheddar cheese. It makes all the difference in the world because shredded cheddar tends to be dry and doesn’t melt as well. This makes it rich and creamy!
Serve it up with my Cornbread Muffins for a real treat!

This Homemade Quick Chili Is The Perfect Make Ahead Meal
As if this recipe couldn’t get any better, this quick chili is perfect for meal prep and I’ll often cook a double batch. Once it has cooled to room temperature, store it in an air tight container and keep it in the fridge, it will keep for about 4 days and you just need to reheat it on the stove top or microwave.
Homemade chili con carne also freezes really well, again let it cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container. Thaw it in the fridge overnight or at room temperature a few hours before reheating.

Tips
- This recipe is easily doubled, so be sure to make a big batch for easy meal prep.
- Feel free to add in any extra veggies you need to use up in the fridge, mushrooms work really well!
- Use organic, grass fed beef if you can.
- Serve to the table with all of your favorite toppings.

To see how simple this Easy Chili Recipe is, watch the video!
If you try this easy homemade chili recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too!
Join the club! You can find daily updates on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and see my latest YouTube videos here!
More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes

Homemade Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon red pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried onion
- 1 can Mexican chili beans
- water or beer
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese
- sour cream crema or creme fraiche
- chips
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium high heat, adding red pepper and dried onion.
- When nearly cooked, add chili beans. Continue to stir and reduce to medium low heat. We tend to like ours thicker, but you can add ¼ c water or up to a bottle of hoppy beer if you wish.
- While the meat is cooking, shred cheddar – it's so much better than pre-shredded, I promise.
- Top with sour cream, cheese and chips.
Video
Notes
- This recipe is easily doubled, so be sure to make a big batch for easy meal prep.
- Feel free to add in any extra veggies you need to use up in the fridge, mushrooms work really well!
- Use organic, grass fed beef if you can.
- Serve to the table with all of your favorite toppings.
I love how quick this was to make and it was so delicious! I really loved the sour cream on top, what a tasty addition! We used corn chips to scoop the chili up some. SO good!
So glad you enjoyed it!
It is freezing here and I am going to make this for dinner tomorrow!
It’s the yummiest way to warm up!
This Chili is so easy to make and yet it tastes excellent! Love it!
Thanks for sharing Marie, glad you enjoyed it! It’s our fall / winter fave!
Chili on the table in 10 minutes is such a life savor for me.
So easy and yummy!
mmm..this looks and sounds incredibly delicious!! Can’t’ wait to try it!
Looks delicious Julie! I made a similar version last week and omg, I ate the entire pan! lol
LOVE that this is so easy!! And flavorful. Perfect weeknight meal.
10 minute recipes for the win! I love chili and this looks and sounds delicious.
Thanks, friend! Have a beautiful day!
Made it!! Fabulous, thank you so very much. I’ll be making it again soon!
So glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week!
Julie, I am going to give this a try! I love your Cacio e Pepe! I make it often!
It’s on our weekend menu as well. Have a great day!