Basic No Fuss Chili

This basic, no-fuss chili takes only some minutes to place collectively earlier than you may depart it to simmer for some time. It’s made completely with pantry staples, so that you received’t must hunt for fancy components or spend an excessive amount of time within the kitchen. The whole lot comes collectively simply, and with simply 15 to twenty minutes of hands-on prep, you may let it simmer away whilst you concentrate on different issues. Easy, satisfying, and no additional fuss!

Need a scrumptious facet to go along with your chili? Strive our Flaky Old Fashioned Biscuits or Mom’s Quick Buttermilk Cornbread.

Why Our Recipe

A chili that’s simple to place collectively utilizing pantry staples to maintain all the pieces simple with completely no-fuss.
Requires simply 15 to twenty minutes of hands-on prep earlier than letting it simmer to perfection.
Crushed tortilla chips are used as a thickener, and the remainder of the bag makes an ideal facet for dipping.

An overhead view of a bowl of no fuss chili topped with sour cream and cheddar cheese with a spoon set into the bowl for a bite.

This can be a stove-top chili that solely takes a couple of steps to place collectively. You’ll brown the meat earlier than including the opposite components and leaving it to simmer for about 45 minutes. We use crushed tortilla chips to thicken it up. Not solely do they provide the chili the proper texture, however the remainder of the bag is nice for dipping on the facet—discuss a win-win! Whether or not you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd on sport day, this recipe delivers daring taste with minimal effort, making it one you’ll wish to hold coming again to.

Ingredient Notes

Floor beef: Floor beef is a basic choice for chili, however you may as well use cubed beef stew meat for a chunkier chili. And if you’d like a lighter choice, floor hen or turkey additionally work nice!
White Onion: You may as well use yellow onion. Simply you’ll want to cube it good and small so it cooks evenly.
Garlic: Recent garlic is at all times finest, however in case you’re out, no worries—1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove will do the trick.
Chili Powder: Seize a superb chili powder for the most effective taste. They aren’t all constructed the identical! In addition they have completely different flavors of chili powder if you wish to swap issues up.
Cumin: Brings a Tex-Mex vibe. It’s a should!
Purple Kidney Beans: Don’t overlook to rinse and drain these beans to maintain issues from getting too salty. You possibly can swap them with black beans or pinto beans if that’s extra your model.
Diced Tomatoes: Common diced tomatoes are nice, however if you wish to amp up the flavour, attempt fire-roasted ones.
Diced Inexperienced Chiles: These add a light kick with out making the chili too spicy. If you happen to like issues hotter, go for diced jalapeños as an alternative.
Tortilla Chips: Crushed tortilla chips are the key to thickening this chili naturally. You possibly can even use the flavored ones like lime or nacho cheese. And don’t overlook that serving your chili with chips to dip in is at all times going to be a fantastic selection!
Toppings: Non-compulsory, however belief me—you’ll need them! A bowl of chili at all times screams for some toppings!

Toppings

Chili is scrumptious by itself, however let’s be sincere—it’s even higher when loaded up with toppings! A number of the basic go-tos embody bitter cream, shredded cheese, chopped chives, contemporary cilantro, and diced onions. You may as well attempt topping your chili with sliced jalapeños for an additional kick, or add some sliced avocado for a bit creaminess.

Chili Potato Bar

If you happen to’re feeding a crowd, take into account turning your chili right into a baked potato bar! Serve it over baked potatoes and let everybody pile on their favourite toppings. Different topping concepts to your baked potato bar may embody crispy bacon bits, inexperienced onions, and even sizzling sauce for many who like additional warmth.

A close up view of a wooden spoon in a pot of no fuss chili.

Sluggish Cooker Possibility

If you would like the chili to be much more hands-off, you may as well prepare dinner it in a gradual cooker! You’ll nonetheless prepare dinner all the pieces on the stovetop as directed, however then switch the chili to a gradual cooker to simmer. You possibly can prepare dinner it on excessive for an hour, however if you wish to depart it for longer, you’ll want to set the crock pot on a low warmth.

Storage & Reheating Directions

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as seven days.

Freeze leftover parts in an hermetic container or resealable plastic freezer bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day. For straightforward meal prep, freeze in particular person parts.

Reheat parts within the microwave on excessive in 30-second increments.

Reheat on the stovetop in a pot over medium warmth, stirring often, till warmed by means of, about 10-Quarter-hour.