FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Easy Chili Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Chili
• My Recipe Tips
• Alternate Cooking Methods
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Ideas
• My Favorite Dutch Oven For This Recipe
• Easy Chili Recipe Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

There’s nothing quite like homemade chili to warm you up on a cold day. And when you need an easy chili recipe that’s loaded with flavor without the fuss, this is it! It’s comforting and thick, with plenty of spices, yet just a few steps. I’ve tried many and keep coming back to this one. It’s based on my popular keto chili , but after readers told me they won contests just by adding beans, I knew I needed a separate post for how to make chili with them. Not going to lie, I’d missed them and love this one even more. Come make it with me — it’s the ultimate comfort food!

Why You Need My Easy Chili Recipe

• Award-winning flavor and texture – My homemade chili is thick, rich, and hearty, but I think what really makes it stand out is just the right spices. I’m honored to say it’s even helped readers win best chili contests!
• Simple, everyday ingredients – You don’t need anything fancy, just grocery store staples you can find anywhere.
• Quick and easy – You can have this easy chili simmering away with minimal prep. Just saute the onions and garlic, brown the beef, then dump everything else into the pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or game day !
• 3 ways to cook it – I’m all about options, and my chili recipe gives you plenty! You can make it on the stovetop, in the Crock Pot, or even in the Instant Pot—whatever fits your schedule.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my quick and easy chili recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

This simple chili recipe has a few more than my usual 10 ingredients, but they are common pantry staples — and most of them you just dump in before simmering.

• Ground Beef – I prefer 85/15 grass-fed beef, but any ground beef works. You can swap in ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. If you want a pork option, try my chile verde instead!
• Beans – I went with a mix of black beans and pinto beans, but kidney beans are good, too. If you’ve got extras, whip up my 3 bean salad or black bean soup !
• Olive Oil – For sautéing. Any heat-safe oil, like avocado oil, works great.
• Aromatics – White onions and garlic. If you want to make this chili recipe extra easy and skip sauteing them, swap in a tablespoon of onion powder and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Fresh tastes better, though!
• Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes for the base and a little tomato paste for a concentrated punch. You can use fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor, or replace the tomato paste with about 2 cups of tomato sauce.
• Green Chiles – For a mild kick. Feel free to skip them for less heat, or toss in jalapeños for more heat.
• Beef Broth – The beans make this homemade chili super thick, so I added broth to thin it out a bit. Reduced-sodium beef broth works best, but chicken broth or bone broth will do the trick, too.
• Worcestershire Sauce – My little secret ingredient! It adds a rich umami flavor with just a hint of sweetness. I like this gluten-free brand .
• Spices – Chili powder (the most important ingredient for that classic chili recipe taste!), ground cumin , dried oregano , sea salt, black pepper, and an optional bay leaf . Note that U.S. chili powder is actually a blend of spices, so if you’re elsewhere in the world, you might need less if it’s purely chilies. For a smoky kick, toss in some smoked paprika, too!

How To Make Chili

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Saute the aromatics. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Brown the beef. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned.

1. Add the other ingredients. Dump in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, green chiles, both types of beans, broth, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir until combined. Place the bay leaf in the middle, if using.
2. Simmer to bring out the flavor. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer.
3. Serve. Remove the bay leaf. I always serve this easy chili recipe with toppings — see ideas below!

My Recipe Tips

• Check if you need to drain the beef. I usually don’t when I use 85/15 ground beef, but you might need to if you use 80/20.
• Drain the beans, but not the tomatoes and chilies. Draining the beans ensures the best texture and prevents your chili from being too salty, but you actually need the liquid from the canned tomatoes and chilies to get the right liquid ratio.
• Adjust the spice level to your taste. I use 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of chili powder, which might sound like a lot! I think it’s perfect. Feel free to adjust if you want it milder or spicier — just remember less chili powder will be a bit less flavor, too. If you really want to turn up the heat instead, swap in hot chili powder , add 1/2 tablespoon of hot pepper sauce , or toss in some cayenne pepper.
• Did my chili recipe turn out too spicy for you? Tone it down with sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado (or if you’re like me, all of the above!) when serving it.

Alternate Cooking Methods

• Instant Pot – Use the Sauté mode to follow the browning steps, then add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot . Pressure cook on the Meat/Stew setting for 35 minutes. Finish with natural release.
• Crock Pot – Saute the aromatics and beef in a skillet, then transfer everything to your slow cooker . Toss the bay leaf in the middle and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Meal prep: Chili recipes tastes even better the next day, so go ahead and make the whole recipe! Just store it in the refrigerator, and it’ll be ready to enjoy whenever you are.
• Reheat: Warm on the stove over medium heat, or pop a bowl in the microwave.
• Freeze: Let the chili cool, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Ideas

This easy chili is already flavorful, but I think the toppings make the dish! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Toppings – I like to top it with Mexican cheese blend (but cheddar is great, too), sour cream, avocado, and fresh cilantro (try green onions if you’re not a fan). My baked tortilla chips also taste amazing crumbled on top.
• Cornbread – You can’t go wrong with my almond flour cornbread .
• Salad – Try my Tex-Mex-inspired salads, like taco slaw or avocado corn salad . Or make my taco salad without the beef, since you’ll be serving it with beef chili anyway!
• Potatoes – Pile it over roasted potatoes or French fries for an even more comforting vibe. You can also stuff it inside sweet potatoes or make air fryer baked potatoes while my easy chili recipe simmers on your stove.

My Favorite Dutch Oven For This Recipe

I love this Dutch oven for cooking chili, because it goes beautifully from stovetop to table. You could just use a large pot, though.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 large Onion (chopped) ▢
• 8 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 2 lb Ground beef ▢
• 2 15-oz cans Diced tomatoes (with liquid) ▢
• 1 6-oz can Tomato paste ▢
• 1 4-oz can Green chiles (with liquid) ▢
• 1 15-oz can Black beans (drained and rinsed) ▢
• 1 15-oz can Pinto beans (drained and rinsed) ▢
• 1/2 cup Beef broth, reduced sodium ▢
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce ▢
• 1/4 cup Chili powder ▢
• 2 tbsp Cumin ▢
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano ▢
• 2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 medium Bay leaf (optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Heat the oil a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes , until translucent.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute , until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes , breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned.
4. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, green chiles, black beans, pinto beans, broth, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir until combined. Place the bay leaf in the middle, if using.
5. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes .
6. Remove bay leaf and serve warm with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, hot sauce, etc.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include toppings.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Easy Chili Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Easy Chili Recipe

Learn how to make my easy chili recipe at home—it’s thick, rich, and flavorful, with simple ingredients and prep. Perfect for cozy nights!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chili-recipe/

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 large Onion (chopped)
• 8 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 lb Ground beef
• 2 15-oz cans Diced tomatoes (with liquid)
• 1 6-oz can Tomato paste
• 1 4-oz can Green chiles (with liquid)
• 1 15-oz can Black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15-oz can Pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1/2 cup Beef broth, reduced sodium
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup Chili powder
• 2 tbsp Cumin
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano
• 2 tsp Sea salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 1 medium Bay leaf (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes , until translucent.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute , until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes , breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned.
4. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, green chiles, black beans, pinto beans, broth, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir until combined. Place the bay leaf in the middle, if using.
5. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes .
6. Remove bay leaf and serve warm with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, hot sauce, etc.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include toppings.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)