This 3-ingredient easy chili recipe is made in 30 minutes or less! Thick, hearty, and filled with flavor. This is the perfect easy soup recipe for fall!
We love serving it with warm cornbread muffins or adding cornbread croutons on top.
Table of Contents
The Best Homemade Chili
This easy 3-ingredient chili recipe similar to my chili recipe but has only three basic ingredients that you can build upon. If you have a little more time to let your chili simmer, this Wendy’s chili recipe is a winner, too.
All that you need to make it is a pound of cooked and drained ground beef, a can of chili beans (undrained), and a can of chili-ready diced tomatoes. Mix the meat, beans, and tomatoes together in a large pot, bring it to a boil, and then simmer for about 30 minutes.
Only 3 Ingredients!
It’s as easy as that! Delicious and hearty chili that’s ready in no time.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chili beans: Make sure to use undrained beans. The sauce helps give that soupy consistency.
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles: I like to use Rotel or Hunt’s Seasoned Diced Tomatoes in Sauce for Chili.
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef gives the chili a heartier flavor. Drain the ground beef grease before adding the remaining ingredients.
Ways to Modify
At this point, you have a great bowl of thick and hearty chili. It serves four to six people and has a great flavor just on its own. But sometimes I like to get creative, and I’ll add in some extra ingredients to make it even better.
- Add spice! Kick up the spice by adding chili powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
- Protein. Use different meat like shredded chuck roast, stew meat, diced chicken, ground turkey, or diced beef sausage.
- Beans. Experiment with different beans! Try adding a can of black beans, cannellini, pinto beans, or kidney beans.
- Garnish. Top chili with onions, jalapenos, sour cream, sliced avocado, or shredded cheddar cheese.
How to Make Easy Chili
With three pantry staple ingredients then chili will be made in three steps! It is that easy!
- Mix ingredients together in a pot. In a large pot, mix together the cooked beef, beans, and tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Serving. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then enjoy with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped tortilla chips, and green onions.
5 star review
“Very easy chili recipe to make and it was delicious, the whole family enjoyed it, will be making it regularly, thanks!”
-Laura
Expert Tips
Take this 3 ingredient chili recipe to the next level with a few extra add-ins like seasoning, veggies, or even different meat. This is a great base to start with and stir in a twist of ingredients for the best chili recipe.
- Seasoning. Add in more seasonings to boost the flavor. We love chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder. You can even make this homemade chili seasoning for extra flavor.
- Vegetables. If you love to add in more ingredients try chopped carrots, sliced red onion, corn, bell peppers, or celery.
- Don’t drain. You will want to leave the cans of beans undrained. This adds liquid to the chili and makes it more soupy.
- Adding to the chili. When adding different ingredients, the key is to keep the ratio of 1 pound of meat, 1 can of beans, and 1 can of diced tomatoes. If it’s too thick, just add a small can of tomato sauce, along with a little chili powder.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Simply add all ingredients to the slow cooker and mix together. Then cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. It will be the best crockpot chili!
The key to this recipe is that it offers limitless possibilities of variations. You can swap out the beef for turkey, Beyond meat, stew meat, chicken, etc. Want a different bean than chili? Add in whatever kind you like with a little chili seasoning. Have fun making this your own!
Yes! Use plant-based ground meat or omit the meat and use only vegetables.
No problem! You can use canned diced tomatoes and add your own seasoning to the tomatoes.
Yes! That will taste fresh and flavorful. Peel and dice the fresh tomatoes for a smoother texture. Then add your own homemade chili seasoning to the tomatoes before adding them to the beef chili recipe.
When it comes to easy soup recipes, this quick chili recipe is at the top of my list. Some of my other favorites are taco soup, lasagna soup, crockpot chicken enchilada soup, and hearty vegetable soup.
Storing and Reheating Easy Chili Recipe
Store your 3 ingredient chili recipe with ease! It is the perfect dinner to have over and over again during the colder months. It only takes minutes to reheat and is easy to store for three months long.
- Refrigerator. Place the chili in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for five days. When ready to enjoy reheat!
- Freezing. Freeze this easy chili recipe for another dinner. Allow the chili to cool to room temperature. Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store in the freezer for 3 months.
- Thawing. Take the chili out of the freezer and place it in the fridge to let it thaw completely. Then reheat when ready.
- Reheat. Place the easy chili in the microwave or on the stovetop until it is heated through.
More Chili Recipes
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Easy Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef , cooked and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans , undrained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles , I use Rotel or Hunt's Seasoned Diced Tomatoes in Sauce for Chili
- Kosher salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
Optional toppings: Cheese, Sour cream, Tortilla chips, Cilantro, Green onions
Instructions
- In a large pot, mix the meat, beans, and tomatoes together. Bring to a boil over medium heat and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer about 30 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy with your favorite toppings, such as cheese and sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Beef, Beef, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, One Pot, Soups, Stovetop, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
This was easy to make and it was most enjoyable! Thank you so much for providing an easy, weeknight dinner that was tasty for all!
I’m vegan, but I find it easier to take non vegan recipes and replace things to make it plant based. This recipe looked super easy so I gave it a vegan twist and it was fantastic! I replaced the ground beef with my version of tofu “ground beef.” I also added half of a diced onion and pepper and minced garlic. Then I added about 1.5 cups of veggie stock. Finally I added additional spices such as chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, and paprika. Thank you for this recipe! It’s going to be a fall staple for me.
Very easy chili recipe to make and it was delicious, the whole family enjoyed it, will be making it regularly, thanks!
This was so good. I added bacon to mine. Definitely b will make it again!!!
I used this recipe last year for the first time and it is now our go to chili recipe. My whole family loves it & it’s so easy! Thank you for the yummy recipes you share 😃
That makes us so happy to hear, Ashley! Glad it is a hit with your family :)
Very nice recipe. I definitely love this website. Keep writing!
Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoy our website, Clint.
I’m not supposed to have much tomato so I make my chilli with Ranch Style Beans, onions and beef. I may have to add a little water.
I work 12 hour shifts for several days so this is easy and delicious to make for my long work week!
Love it.