Easy Chili Recipe With A Secret Cheater Ingredient

Mom’s Cheater Chili Recipe

This chili recipe is a family-loved favorite from as far back as I can remember! It’s my dad’s very favorite meal on cool autumn evenings. My mom made it at least once a week during the fall and winter and always on Halloween night. The best thing about this recipe is its simplicity. No soaking or boiling beans, no long, all-day process. This chili comes together quickly, using a couple of “cheater” ingredients that we always have on hand. It tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but cooks up in no time over the stove-top! Delicious on its own with a side of corn bread, or served over Navajo Tacos or chili cheese fries, this is one chili recipe you’ll hang onto for years to come!

Make it a Crock Pot Chili Recipe

There’s something so cozy about a pot of soup simmering on the stove during colder months, and this homemade chili recipe is no exception! If you have a bit more time you can throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The spices and smells permeate the kitchen and warm up even the chilliest of days. But if you’re pressed for time, brown up your hamburger, then add the rest of the ingredients to a pot on the stove and then simmer on low until you’re ready to serve. Best chili recipe ever.

Ingredients in Easy Chili

ground beef onion – diced canned chili (any brand works) chili beans do not drain diced tomatoes – do not drain tomato juice salt & pepper to taste

Garnishes:

shredded cheddar cheese diced onions sour cream

Optional Ingredients

Change up the flavor. Make it your own by subbing out or adding ingredients to your own taste!

kidney beans minced garlic green peppers red bell pepper chili powder paprika cumin cayenne pepper crush some saltine crackers or tortilla chips over the top

“Cheater” Ingredients for a Quick, Easy Chili

This ground beef chili recipe cooks up quickly thanks to a can of chili beans (any kind will work great) and a can of pre-made chili (our cheating secret ingredient). You’ll save lots of time by not soaking and cooking chili beans, and I promise you can’t taste the difference! Using a can of chili makes the soup nice and thick, with spices already added. Brown up a pound of ground sirloin or even ground turkey, add a can of tomatoes, and you’ll have a hearty bowl of chili in no time.

What to Serve with Chili

In our family, we like to top a big bowl of chili with diced onions, cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Serve it with a side of our Easy Cake Mix Cornbread. Or spoon it on top of Chili Dogs, Cheese Fries, Nachos, Baked Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, or Navajo Tacos. You can even pour some over our homemade Macaroni and Cheese to made a Chili Mac. You will love how versatile and simple this recipe is! Read Next: Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes