“`html

The Ultimate Easy Chili Recipe: A Hearty Meal in Under 30 Minutes

Do you fancy a hearty, comforting bowl of rich, flavour-packed chili but are a bit pressed for time? We certainly understand. Following a hectic day, the last thing you want is a complex recipe that leaves behind a sink full of dishes. You need a meal that offers the greatest satisfaction for the least amount of effort. Well, your search is over. We are delighted to share our definitive Easy Chili Recipe, a dish that demonstrates you don’t need to simmer for hours to develop an incredible depth of flavour.

There’s a good reason this recipe is our trusted favourite. It’s a sure-fire hit, brilliant for a cosy evening, a relaxed gathering with mates, or a straightforward family meal. As a genuine #OnePotMeal, everything cooks together in one pot, which saves you valuable time on washing up. Brimming with protein, fibre, and vibrant spices, this chili isn’t just tasty; it’s also deeply nourishing. Let’s head to the kitchen and show you how to create a memorable dinner that feels like a warm embrace in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in a Flash: This is the perfect #30MinuteMeal. From dicing the onion to ladling it into bowls, you can have a substantial, home-cooked meal on the table in under half an hour. It’s an ideal fix for those busy weeknights.
• Less Washing Up: We designed this recipe to be cooked entirely in a single pot. You can sauté, brown, and simmer in the same pan, meaning less time standing at the sink and more time savouring your food.
• Complex, Rich Flavour: We employ a clever mix of spices and a ‘blooming’ technique to rapidly unleash their full potential. You will be astonished by the smoky, intricate taste we can achieve in such a short period.
• Wallet-Friendly: Crafted from affordable and easy-to-find ingredients such as beef mince, tinned beans, and tomatoes, this chili is gentle on your budget without ever compromising on flavour.
• Fantastically Adaptable: This recipe serves as an excellent foundation. Feel free to adjust the heat, switch the meat for a vegetarian option, or pile on your preferred toppings. We share plenty of suggestions further down!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 500g Lean Beef Mince (5-10% fat works best)
• 2 tbsp Chili Powder (a mild blend)
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
• 400g tin Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
• 250ml Beef Stock
• 1 tbsp Light Brown Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste

How to Make Our Easy Chili Con Carne

This simple method is crafted to build layers of flavour in a short amount of time, giving you a superb chili without the wait. Just follow these steps for a flawless result every single time.

1. Build Your Flavour Base

   Set a large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven over a medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add your chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring every so often, until it has softened and become translucent. Tip in the minced garlic and continue to cook for one more minute until aromatic, ensuring it doesn’t catch and burn.

2. Brown the Beef Mince

   Increase the heat to medium-high and add the beef mince to your pot. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart into smaller crumbles. Continue cooking for 5-8 minutes, stirring regularly, until the mince has browned evenly and no pink bits remain. You can drain off any rendered fat if you like, but a little bit adds wonderful flavour.

3. Bloom the Spices for Depth

   Add the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using) directly into the pot with the mince and onions. Stir constantly for about 60 seconds. This process, which we call ‘blooming’, toasts the spices in the pan’s heat, intensifying their fragrance and deepening their flavour. It’s our top secret for making a quick #ChiliRecipe taste as though it has been simmering all day!

4. Bring It All Together

   Stir in the tomato purée and let it cook for another minute. Next, pour in the tinned chopped tomatoes, the rinsed kidney beans, and the beef stock. Add the optional brown sugar, a good pinch of salt, and a few twists of black pepper. Give everything a really good stir to combine, making sure to scrape any flavourful browned bits off the bottom of the pot.

5. Simmer to Perfection

   Bring the chili to a steady simmer before turning the heat down to low. Place a lid on the pot and allow it to bubble away gently for at least 15 minutes. This gives all those wonderful flavours a chance to meld together. If you aren’t in a rush, an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering will only make it more delicious. Before serving, have a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Top Tips for the Perfect Chili

Although this is an easy chili recipe, a few simple pointers can take it from merely great to truly exceptional. Here is what we do to ensure our chili always gets rave reviews.

Choosing Your Mince

We find that lean beef mince with a fat content of around 5-10% works best. It provides just enough fat to keep the chili rich and juicy without becoming greasy. For a lighter alternative, you could use turkey or chicken mince, or even a plant-based mince for a vegan-friendly version. If you appreciate quick and satisfying dinners like this one, you may also love our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe.

Customising the Heat

Our recipe yields a mild, family-friendly warmth. To increase the spice level, feel free to add more cayenne pepper, a pinch of chili flakes, or a finely diced fresh chilli (such as a jalapeño) when you add the garlic. For a smokier kick, try a teaspoon of chipotle paste. If you’d prefer it to be very mild, just leave out the cayenne pepper.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

Chili is one of those fantastic dishes that often tastes even more delicious the following day, as the flavours have more time to develop. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. This recipe is also perfect for freezing. Let the chili cool down completely before transferring it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave for an effortless #QuickDinner.

What to Serve with Your Chili

One of the greatest joys of chili is customising it with toppings! Creating a ‘toppings bar’ is a brilliant way for everyone to personalise their own bowl. Here are a few of our favourite accompaniments:

• Classic Toppings: A spoonful of soured cream or Greek yoghurt, a generous sprinkle of grated mature cheddar, some freshly chopped coriander, and a few tangy pickled jalapeños.
• Carbs: Ladle your chili over fluffy rice, serve it with crunchy tortilla chips for dipping, or pair it with a warm, crusty baguette. It’s also exceptionally good served over a baked jacket potato.
• Something Fresh: A simple side salad with a zesty lime dressing or a quickly made avocado and tomato salsa provides a lovely, fresh contrast to the chili’s richness.

For another superb and simple dinner idea that the whole family will adore, why not give our Bruschetta Chicken a try next?

FAQ

Your New Go-To Weeknight Winner

And there you have it—a genuinely easy chili recipe that provides a deeply flavourful and satisfying meal without chaining you to the stove. It is a versatile, forgiving, and incredibly tasty dish that we’re sure will quickly become a regular feature in your weekly meal plan.

We firmly believe that fantastic food doesn’t need to be complicated, and this chili perfectly embodies that idea. It’s the ideal solution for those evenings when you need a comforting, wholesome dinner on the table in a hurry. We are so excited for you to try this brilliant #EasyChili! When you do, we’d love it if you could leave a comment below to tell us how it went, or share your masterpiece with us on social media. Happy cooking!

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 500g Lean Beef Mince
• 2 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• 1 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
• 400g tin Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
• 250ml Beef Stock
• 1 tbsp Light Brown Sugar (optional)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft (5-7 mins), then add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
2. Increase heat, add the beef mince and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if desired.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne (if using). Cook for 1 minute to ‘bloom’ the spices, then stir in the tomato purée.
4. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, rinsed kidney beans, beef stock, and optional brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
5. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 15 minutes to allow flavours to meld. Adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 417,
Carbs: 24 g,
Protein: 31 g,
Fat: 22 g

“`