If you’re craving a hearty, soul-warming meal that brings the heart of the South right to your table, this Southern Homemade Chili Recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with layers of tender ground beef, savory beans, and a perfectly balanced blend of spices, this chili offers comfort in every spoonful. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, it’s a classic that hits all the right notes of flavor, texture, and warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Southern Homemade Chili Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work together to create a rich and satisfying dish. Each component plays a crucial role — from the lean ground beef providing hearty protein, to the variety of beans adding earthiness and substance, finishing with spices that pull everything into a beautifully harmonious bowl of chili.
- 2 lbs lean ground beef: Choose lean to keep the chili hearty without too much grease.
- 1 (29-oz) can crushed tomatoes: Adds a robust tomato base with a slight tang.
- 2 (14-oz) cans kidney beans (with liquid): Brings a creamy texture and classic chili flavor.
- 2 (14-oz) cans pinto beans (with liquid): Offers a slightly sweet, buttery taste complementing the kidney beans.
- 1 (10-oz) can tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid): Lends a gentle heat and vibrant color to the chili.
- 1 tsp cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin enhances the chili’s depth.
- ¾ tsp garlic powder: Infuses a mellow garlic essence without overpowering.
- 1 tsp onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and savory notes.
- 1.5 tbsp chili powder: The star spice, bringing bold chili flavor and mild heat.
- 1 tsp black pepper: Freshly cracked for a gentle bite.
- 2 tsp salt: Balances and elevates every flavor in the pot.
- 1.5 cups water: Ensures the perfect consistency, helping flavors meld beautifully.
How to Make Southern Homemade Chili Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
The magic begins by cooking the lean ground beef over medium heat right in your Dutch oven or stockpot. Browning the beef develops rich, caramelized flavors that form the backbone of this chili, so resist the urge to rush or drain the fat — those drippings add a ton of flavor.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Beans
Once your beef is beautifully browned, it’s time to add the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, and tomatoes with green chiles — liquid included! The liquid from the beans and tomatoes blends everything together, bringing moisture and a tangy richness that’s essential for soulful chili.
Step 3: Season the Chili
Next, sprinkle in the cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and salt directly into the pot. Stir well to ensure every bite is bursting with the iconic spice blend that defines our Southern Homemade Chili Recipe.
Step 4: Pour in Water and Simmer
Adding 1.5 cups of water may feel like a small step, but it’s key for creating that luscious, stew-like texture. Bring your chili to a gentle simmer and let it cook uncovered for 1.5 hours. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and help those flavors marry perfectly.
How to Serve Southern Homemade Chili Recipe
Garnishes
One of the best parts about this chili is the endless garnish possibilities. Think shredded cheddar cheese melting on top, a dollop of sour cream for creaminess, chopped green onions or fresh cilantro for brightness, and maybe even some sliced jalapeños if you like a serious kick.
Side Dishes
This chili shines even brighter when paired with classic Southern sides. Cornbread or warm buttermilk biscuits provide the perfect vehicle to soak up every last drop. For a lighter touch, a fresh green salad or crispy tortilla chips offer great texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress guests? Serve the chili inside hollowed-out baked potatoes or toasted bread bowls. You can also use it as a topping for nachos or even spoon it over baked sweet potatoes for a unique twist. The possibilities with this Southern Homemade Chili Recipe are endless and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chili actually gets better the next day when the flavors have more time to mingle. Let it cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It’s a fantastic meal prep solution that saves you time and effort.
Freezing
This chili freezes beautifully too. Cool it, portion into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just remember to leave plenty of space for expansion and label your containers with the date.
Reheating
For a quick meal, thaw frozen chili overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen in a pot over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions, covered, in 1 to 2-minute intervals, stirring in between for even heating.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner substitute that still holds flavor well. Just keep in mind it might yield a slightly lighter taste and texture, so you can adjust the spices accordingly to maintain that classic Southern chili vibe.
Do I need to drain the beans before adding them?
For this Southern Homemade Chili Recipe, no draining is necessary. The bean liquid adds to the chili’s richness and helps create that thick, stew-like consistency everyone loves in a good chili.
How spicy is this chili?
This chili offers a balanced warmth that’s mildly spicy, mainly from the chili powder and green chiles. If you prefer extra heat, feel free to add fresh jalapeños or cayenne pepper during cooking or at the table.
Can I make this chili in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Definitely! The recipe works wonderfully in both. Brown your ground beef first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. For the Instant Pot, sauté the beef, add the ingredients, then cook on manual for 15 minutes with a quick release.
What’s the best way to thicken my chili if it’s too watery?
If your chili ends up thinner than you like, simmer it uncovered longer to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in during cooking to thicken things up quickly and easily.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Southern Homemade Chili Recipe enough for anyone looking to cozy up with a bowl of genuine comfort food. It’s approachable, versatile, and packed with flavor that only gets better the next day. Trust me, once you make this chili part of your rotation, it’ll quickly become a beloved staple you can count on for satisfying, delicious meals.
Print
Southern Homemade Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Southern Homemade Chili recipe delivers a hearty and flavorful chili packed with lean ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices. Perfectly simmered for rich depth of flavor or conveniently made using a slow cooker or Instant Pot for adaptability, this classic dish serves 12 and is ideal for gatherings and family meals.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 (29-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14-oz) cans kidney beans (with liquid)
- 2 (14-oz) cans pinto beans (with liquid)
- 1 (10-oz) can tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid)
- 1.5 cups water
Spices
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a Dutch oven or an 8-quart stockpot, brown 2 pounds of lean ground beef over medium heat without draining the fat to retain flavors.
- Add Ingredients: Add the 29-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, two 14-ounce cans of kidney beans with liquid, two 14-ounce cans of pinto beans with liquid, and a 10-ounce can of tomatoes with green chiles including their liquids into the pot with the beef.
- Season the Chili: Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1.5 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt until everything is evenly mixed.
- Add Water: Pour in 1.5 cups of water and mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1.5 hours, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and help flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot. Optionally garnish with shredded cheese and your choice of toppings like sour cream or chopped onions.
- Slow Cooker Option – Brown the Beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat without draining fat.
- Slow Cooker – Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef and all remaining ingredients into your slow cooker.
- Slow Cooker – Cook: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and chili is thickened.
- Slow Cooker – Serve: Serve hot with cheese and toppings as desired.
- Instant Pot Option – Sauté the Beef: Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and brown the ground beef without draining fat.
- Instant Pot – Add Ingredients: Add all remaining ingredients to the pot and stir well.
- Instant Pot – Cook: Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 15 minutes.
- Instant Pot – Release Pressure and Serve: Perform a quick pressure release and serve hot with cheese and your preferred toppings.
Notes
- Do not drain the fat after browning the beef as it adds flavor to the chili.
- Stirring the chili every 15 minutes while simmering prevents burning and helps develop flavor.
- The recipe is adaptable to slow cooker and Instant Pot methods without sacrificing flavor.
- Add cheese or sour cream as toppings for extra richness.
- For a spicier chili, consider adding cayenne pepper or fresh chopped jalapeños.
- The chili can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
