Easy Beefy Bean Chili

5 from 1 vote

Jan 26, 2024, Updated Sep 17, 2025

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Delicious, easy, hearty beefy bean chili – with a classic smoky, salty Western flavor that is perfect for a crowd! Beefy bean cookout-style chili, with its rich combination of ground beef and ground sausage, presents a robust and hearty flavor profile that is both deeply satisfying and distinctly bold.

While my family enjoys this recipe regularly, I also like to make it to take for potlucks and parties. It goes very well over hot dogs, chips, or just on its own. You don’t have to add dairy to your chili but it does go well with a big piece of Honey Butter Cornbread. Yum!

A beefy bean chili with sour cream and cornbread on a cutting board.

A bowl of chili with cheese and sour cream.

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to make Beefy Chili
Tips and Tricks to Best Chili
Try THese Soups Next
Easy Beefy Bean Chili Recipe

How to make Beefy Chili

First you will want to assemble the following ingredients:

Bacon grease or olive oil – while you can add either one I love a little bacon flavoring in my chili.
Yellow onions – onions add a natural sweetness, light a candle when cutting onions to help your eyes not burn.
Garlic – this gives the chili a strong distinct flavor, use fresh garlic.
Chili powder, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano – these spices are the perfect quartet of spices for chili.
Ground beef – beef is expected in most chili and has a wonderful texture.
Italian sausage – pork adds some needed fat and richness. You will need to remove casing if necessary.
Salt – salt adds necessary seasoning to the beef and the chili in general.
Crushed tomatoes – crushed tomatoes will give more liquid content than diced tomatoes which is perfect for chili.
Kidney beans – kidney beans are meaty and add a wonderful texture to this.
BBQ baked beans – even after we have rinsed the beans they add some bbq flavoring to the chili.
Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce – these can be found in the Latin section in the Supermarket. They add a smoky spice.
Garnishes – I love garnishes in my chili like cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, jalapeno slices, and bacon.

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use this process:

ground beef, sausage, beans, onion, and spices

Prep

Assemble ingredients. Add oil to a heavy bottom pot and heat over medium heat.

Sauté Vegetables

Heat the grease or oil in a Dutch oven, add onion and garlic and sauté while stirring occasionally.

Add Spices and Meat

Sprinkle in the spices and stir them into the onions, let cook for a minutes or two until fragrant. Add the meats and cook, stirring frequently until all the meat is browned. Add the remaining ingredients.

Simmer

Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 1 hour.

A bowl of chili with cornbread on a cutting board.

Enjoy

Enjoy this hearty chili hot, garnish with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and bacon.

Tips and Tricks to Best Chili

You can make this in the slow cooker: Do steps 1-4 in the recipe then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6.

Quality of Meat: Choose high-quality ground beef and sausage for the best flavor. A mix of lean and fatty meat is ideal as it provides richness without being overly greasy.

Make it in your Instant Pot: This recipe is easily made in an instant pot by using the sauté function for the first three steps. When you add the tomatoes do not stir, just let it sit on top of the meat and beans. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and cook for 12 minutes on high pressure and then let it naturally release for another 12 minutes before opening the vent and then removing the lid. Turn it back to the sauté function and let simmer with the lid loosely on for 10-15 more minutes or until it’s at the desired consistency.

Browning the Meat: Brown your meats separately to develop deep flavors. Ensure that the beef and sausage are well-browned before combining them; this step adds a savory depth to your chili.

Chipotles in Adobo Sauce: Be mindful of the heat. Start with a small amount of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, then adjust according to your taste. Remember, it’s easier to add more spice than to take it away.

Tomato Tip: Use high-quality canned tomatoes for consistency in flavor. Fire-roasted tomatoes can add an extra layer of smokiness that complements the chipotles well.

Simmering Slowly: Allow your chili to simmer slowly after all the ingredients are added. This slow cooking process melds the flavors together and tenderizes the meat. A low and slow approach is key for a rich and cohesive chili.

Beans: Choose your beans wisely. Kidney beans are a classic choice, but black or pinto beans work well too. Add them towards the end of cooking to maintain their texture.

Resting Time: Chili often tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together in the refrigerator. If possible, make your chili a day ahead.

Garnishes and Sides: Serve your chili with a variety of garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, or cilantro. Cornbread or a side of rice makes a great accompaniment.

Turn up the heat: If you want to make this chili spicier simply add more chipotle chilis in adobo.

FAQs

How do I keep leftovers?

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Does Beef Chili freeze well?

Yes, this chili freezes very well. I freeze my chili in a ziplock bag and always put the date on it. It keeps well in the freezer for 4-6 months.

How do I tame the heat of this chili?

To mellow out an overly spicy chili, you can add more tomatoes, beans, or other ingredients to dilute the heat. Dairy products like sour cream or cheese can also help counteract the spiciness when served.

How can I make my chili spicier?

You can increase the heat in your chili by adding more chili powder, fresh or dried chili peppers, cayenne pepper, or hot sauces.

Can I make chili without meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute beans, lentils, tofu, or other meat substitutes for the beef and pork.

How do I thicken my chili?

Allowing chili to simmer uncovered will help reduce and thicken it. Alternatively, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the chili, then let it simmer until thickened.

Is this chili gluten free?

Yes, there is no gluten in this chili recipe!