Beef Chili Recipe (ONLY 4 INGREDIENTS!) (2024)

Homemade beef chili cannot get any easier than this! Made from only 4 ingredients you can achieve the same hearty chili many recipes aim for minus all the ingredients and spices. Want to know how?

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Well, if you didn’t know bottled or jarred goodies like salsa are already plenty seasoned and include spices like chili powder already in them so why add the additional spices when you can just dump a jar of prepared salsa? The choice is yours but if you can cut time in the kitchen, why not? It’s really that EASY! And the best part, this beef chili is so versatile since you can eat it as a bowl of rich hearty chili or use it as a taco base for salads, tacos, and oh the ideas!

Beef Chili Recipe

This beef chili recipe is designed for a slow cooker but nothing a stovetop can’t do. If you use a slow cooker it will develop flavors in a slow manner, which is how I recommend it. However, simmering this over the stove-top is possible but since the cooking time will take much faster over a stove, the liquid may have to be adjusted to the desired consistency as the liquid is more prone to evaporating this way.

Ingredients for the EASIEST Beef Chili:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 2 (15 oz cans) red kidney beans
• 1 (24 oz jar) ANY brand jarred salsa
• 1 cup tomato juice

How to make the best Beef Chili?

Step 1:

For crockpot owners, brown the ground beef and transfer to a slow cooker. Add in the beans along with the salsa and tomato juice. Turn on low for 4-6 hours. If using dried beans that have been soaked per package instructions then increase cooking time to 6-8 hours on low.

Step 2:

For stove-top users, brown the ground beef and add in canned drained beans instead of soaked dried beans (cooking time will take much faster with canned beans.) Add in the salsa and tomato juice and simmer 30-45 minutes adding more tomato juice if too thick.

Tip:

Canned drained beans will shorten the cooking time for both methods. If using dried beans soak per package instructions prior to using.

Note: Since jarred salsa or tomato juice varies from brand to brand season beef chiliaccording to taste.

How can I make my beef chili heartier?

Adding a chunky kind of salsa or a small can of tomato paste will make for a heartier and thicker beef chili.

Tips for making Beef Chili:

TIP 1: Addin some fresh vegetables like freshly diced tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, or celery for a more signature taste.

Tip 2:Add more flavor or heat by adding spices like chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic salt, ground cumin, or sugar. These kinds of spices can all enhance the flavor of your beef chili. Start by 1/8 teaspoons and gradually build up the flavor with a spice you think you would enjoy in your chili.

Can Beef Chili be frozen?

Beef chili can be frozen. Once the beef chili is completely cooled pour into quart-sized freezer bags and freeze laying flat.

To reheat pop the frozen chili out of the zip-lock bag and place it into a pot. Crank the heat up to medium and heat the beef chili up until hot and bubbly.

Chili toppings include:

1. Cheddar cheese- (Monterey Jack, Colby,questfresco,and mild cheddar cheese are all good choices and should melt beautifully.)

2. Sour cream- (diluting sour cream with a tablespoon of milk with make for a thinner consistency making it easy enough to dollop over foods.)

3. Tortilla chips-(Frito’s, Nacho Doritos, and Restaurant style Tortilla chips make great crunchy garnishes.)

4. Shredded Iceberg Lettuce- Make things more Taco style by layering this beef chili over a bed of iceberg lettuce or into tacos.

5. White rice- Cook jasmine or basmati rice to serve as a side or garnish.

Buffet Themes:

Throw a taco buffet for a Mexican style theme with a side of soft tacos or crunchy tortilla chips. Or make it a Festive Chili buffet by laying out the first three topping ideas along with green onions and fresh herbs. Allow guests to layer up there topping into a bowl!

More Recipes to try:

• One-Pot Chili Recipe
• Fluffy Cornbread Recipe
• Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe