Classic Beef Chili

Name: Classic Beef Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 375 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 lb ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, drained; 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce; 2 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; Salt and black pepper to taste

8 servings15 min prep360 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Classic Beef Chili

Story updated September 18, 2026

Chili con carne is generally traced to 19th-century Texas, where 'chili queens' sold bowls of spiced stewed beef from stalls in San Antonio's plazas. Its exact inventor is unknown, but by the 20th century it had become a beloved regional dish with countless competing family and regional variations.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

2 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic in a skillet over medium heat, then drain any excess fat (this step is optional but recommended for texture).
2Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker.
3Add the kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine.
4Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once partway through if you are around.
5Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving with your favorite chili toppings.

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