This 30-Minute Stovetop Chili Recipe is hearty, healthy, and easy to make. With a few fresh ingredients and a few canned ingredients, you can have this warming pot of chili on your table in no time!
This 30-Minute Chili Recipe is perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends. It's hearty, healthy, and delicious. It's also kid-friendly and fairly inexpensive to make. I love to whip up this chili on cold rainy nights or when I need a quick meal that can feed my whole family.
I also love this recipe because we usually have leftovers that are just as good the next day or can be frozen for later. There are a few fresh ingredients and a few canned ingredients that help make this chili full of flavor but so easy to put together. And, you only need one pot so you will have easy clean-up!
Ingredients Needed to Make This Quick and Easy Chili Recipe
- extra virgin olive oil
- ground beef
- kidney beans
- fiesta corn or whole kernel corn
- sliced olives
- canned diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- garlic
- onion
- chili powder
- homemade chili powder (optional, see notes)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 cups beef broth
How to Make 30-Minute Chili
- In a large dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil and add the diced onions. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. While the onions are cooking, open all of the cans and set them aside.
- Place the ground beef and garlic into the pot with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until completely brown, this will take about 5 minutes. Add all of the canned ingredients and stir until well combined. Add the chili powder and beef broth and continue to stir to combine.
- Turn down the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste for salt and pepper before serving in bowls. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
How to Serve This Chili Recipe
Start by serving this chili in heat-safe bowls. The chili will be nice and hot right off the stove. The great thing about chili is that there are so many toppings you can add to make it even more delicious. I like to add sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese to my chili for a creamy addition. I also add chopped green onions if I have them on hand for a pop of freshness. You can also add fresh jalapeno slices, chopped onion, cilantro, or any other topping you like.
Can you Freeze Homemade Chili?
Yes, you can freeze this homemade chili. Make sure the chili has cooled down completely before adding it to a sealable and freezer-safe container. You can also freeze chili in a sealable plastic bag. Do not add any extra toppings or garnishes to the chili before freezing. You can freeze this chili for up to 6 months. When you defrost the chili, you may need to add a little liquid before serving. You can add additional broth or water.
Tips for Making the Best Chili Ever
- Store any leftover chili in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- You can substitute chicken for the ground beef or skip the meat altogether and make this a vegetarian chili. Just use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Start with 1 cup of beef broth and add more if you want a more liquid chili. I save the second cup for the leftover the next day as the liquid will absorb into the chili when stored in the fridge.
- If you want a spicier chili, add cayenne pepper, a chopped jalapeno, or use a spicy canned tomato like Rotel.
- Canned measurements are based on the cans I purchased at my local grocery store. Some brands will vary in ounces. As long as the measurements are close, the chili will turn out great!
- Fiesta corn has added peppers for extra flavor, but regular whole kernel canned corn will work as well.
- You can make your own chili powder using dried peppers for additional flavor. This is optional but highly recommended for extra flavor. Take dried chili peppers and grind them in a nut/coffee grinder until they are in powder form. This chili powder also makes a delicious garnish sprinkle on top.
dried Mexican chiles 
cut-up chiles in a grinder 
ground dried Mexican chiles
Tools Needed to Make Homemade Chili Recipe
Other Easy Dinner Recipes To Check Out
- Sticky Beef, Broccoli, and Rice
- Easy Ramen Noodle Recipe
- Air Fryer Taquitos
- Gluten-Free Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Bake
- Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew
30-Minute Chili
Equipment
- dutch oven or large pot
- can opener
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can kidney beans (15.5 ounce can)
- 1 can fiesta corn (11 ounce can, can substitute regular corn)
- 1 can sliced olives, drained (2.25 ounce can)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce can)
- 1 can tomato paste (6 ounce can)
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon homemade chili powder (optional) (*see notes)
- 1-2 cups beef broth (can substitute vegetable or chicken)
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- sliced jalapeno
- green onions
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven or pot, add the olive oil and add the diced onions. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. While the onions are cooking, open all of the cans and set them aside.
- Place the ground beef and garlic into the pot with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until completely brown, this will take about 5 minutes.
- Add all of the canned ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Add the chili powder and beef broth and continue to stir to combine. Start with 1 cup of beef broth and add more if you want a more liquid chili. I save the second cup for the leftover the next day as the liquid will absorb into the chili when stored in the fridge.
- Turn down the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste for salt and pepper before serving in bowls. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Store any leftover chili in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the chili in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
- You can substitute chicken for the ground beef or skip the meat altogether and make this a vegetarian chili. Just use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Nutrition information based on chili ingredients only with no toppings.
- If you want a spicier chili, add cayenne pepper, a chopped jalapeno, or use a spicy canned tomato like Rotel.
- Canned measurements are based on the cans I purchased at my local grocery store. Some brands will vary in ounces. As long as the measurements are close, the chili will turn out great!
- Fiesta corn has added peppers for extra flavor, but regular whole kernel canned corn will work as well.
- You can make your own chili powder using dried peppers for additional flavor. This is optional but highly recommended for extra flavor. Take dried chili peppers and grind them in a nut/coffee grinder until they are in powder form. This chili powder also makes a delicious garnish sprinkle on top.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you Make this Easy Chili recipe?
If you make this recipe, don't forget to leave a review below. And, if you snap a photo, you can tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
If you want even more easy and delicious recipes, sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Pinterest and you will never miss a recipe!
Dennis Littley says
your chili bowls were delicious! My family really enjoyed them
Emily says
So happy to hear it, thanks for trying them!
Kalin Williams says
What a perfect meal to make this time of year! I love how quick it is too
Emily says
Quick and easy is the way to go!
Dawn Conklin says
This chili is so delicious and easy to make! Everybody here loved it, will definitely be making it again. This is the perfect comfort food for a cold night, especially after a busy day.
Emily says
I'm so glad you guys all enjoyed this chili. I agree, it's the perfect comfort food for a cold day!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
Chili is a go to for us here in Canada, during the colder months. It is such a hearty, simple and delicious meal, that can be frozen for a quick dinner at a later date.
Emily says
I believe when you say chili is a staple in Canada! I hope you love this one. 😁
Jean says
This chili recipe is so good and surprise that its quick to make. Perfect dinner recipe.
Emily says
Thanks, Jean. I think sometimes people think a big hearty meal will take forever but it doesn't have to!
Susan says
I can't believe how great this chili tastes, and it only took 30 minutes - so good!
Emily says
Yay, I'm so glad you liked it!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Loving this stovetop chili! It is so delicious and I love all the flavors!
Emily says
I'm so glad you like it. We make this all the time in our house.
Jeri says
I love chili! I ca't wait to try this recipe with homemade chili powder!
Emily says
The homemade chile powder is a game-change, I put it on everything!
Michelle | Taste As You Go says
Is there anything better on a cold day than having a pot of chili simmering on the stove? I love how easy this is to pull together on a weeknight!
Emily says
Hot chili on a cold day is a must! Thanks, Michelle!
Shilpa says
This looks delicious and flavourful. Can I use chicken or lamb mince for this recipe?
Emily says
Hi Shilpa, you can definitely use chicken, I do it all the time. I've never used lamb mince before, but I would imagine as long as it's cooked all the way through before adding, it should work just fine. Thanks for checking out my recipe!
Cathleen says
Chili is one of my absolute favourite things to make! I love this version, it will definitely be a staple around my house. Thanks so much for the recipe 😉
Emily says
You are so welcome!😊
Angela says
Loving all things chili right now! This recipe is perfection and so easy to make. Great for weeknights!
Emily says
Chili is such a classic, isn't it? We love to make this early in the week and enjoy it all week long.
Jacqueline Debono says
I also love to cook chili in my Dutch oven, it always turns out so delicious. I've never added corn but I love the idea! Going to make this 30 minute chili next week!
Emily says
The corn adds little bursts of sweetness that are so yummy. You will love it!
Gina says
Can't beat a classic recipe like this for a cozy meal on a cold day! Love the heartiness and ease of this chili!
Emily says
I totally agree, Gina. Sometimes you just need a bog hot bowl of goodies on a cold night!
Jessica says
Easy and so flavroful!
amy liu dong says
This is a perfect meal for tonight's dinner. It's easy and delicious!
Emily says
I hope you guys love it. Enjoy!
Oscar says
This looks so good. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Emily says
Thank you! I know you will love it!
Jamie says
This is so comforting and satisfying! Warms me right up.
Emily says
Exactly what should happen! Thanks for giving it a try.😊
Pam Greer says
So fast and easy!
Angela says
Being able to make a great tasting chili in 30 minutes is amazing. It's definitely going into my weekly dinner rotation.
Emily says
Thanks, Angela. It's the perfect comfort food to have on rotation.
serena says
So great for an easy weeknight meal
Emily says
I totally agree, we make this one all the time on busy weeknights.