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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Easy 5 Ingredient Chili

    BY: Kimberly Grabinski PUBLISHED: 15 Nov, '22 UPDATED: 20 Feb, '23 1 Comment

    RecipePrintComments
    5 from 4 votes

    This seriously easy 5-ingredient chili recipe is pure comfort food in one bowl! And best of all, it's made with just 5 pantry staple ingredients and takes 25 minutes!

    5-ingredient-chili featured

    The spicy flavor from the tomato sauce enriched with kidney beans, tender ground beef, chili powder, and green chilis is a winning combination the whole family will love.

    Contents
    • 🌟 Why this recipe works
    • 🍽 Key Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make
    • 💭 Cooking tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥗 What to serve with
    • 🙋 Frequently asked questions
    • 🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
    • 🍳 Related easy recipes
    • 👪 Serving size
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🌟 Why this recipe works

    Forget spending hours over the stove to make chili or waiting all day for it to cook in a crock pot. This 25-minute masterpiece oozes with the same flavor and pleases everyone all the same!

    With just a few pantry ingredients and less than $10 spent, you can feed a large family with a sumptuous chili that you can whip up in no time using a single stovetop pan. It's full of flavor and has those soft chili beans and spicy tomato flavors you're accustomed to tasting.

    The spice level is also easily adjustable to your liking by reducing the amount of chili powder to be kid-friendly or increasing it to be dad friendly!

    It's the perfect dinner recipe to whip up after a busy day at work and can even be prepared in advance and microwaved on the spot to save even more time for busy moms.

    And if you want something quick and easy for dessert to pair with the delicious chili, check out our easy dessert recipes. You'll find everything from energy bars, easy fudge recipes, cookie recipes, and more.

    🍽 Key Ingredients

    All you need is a few pantry ingredients to make this delicious 5-ingredient chili recipe and one stovetop pot.

    5-ingredient-chili ingredients

    Ground beef - Use lean ground beef to give the chili that rich, beefy flavor. Chuck beef is a great option, as it has a ratio of 80/20.

    Onion - The onion is an essential part that adds flavor to the beef.

    Canned tomatoes with green chiles - You'll also need three cans diced tomatoes with green chiles to provide the spicy tomato flavor.

    Canned beans - Black beans or kidney beans will work in this recipe. The beans are another essential ingredient in chili recipes to give it texture and flavor.

    Chili powder - Just a few spoons of chili is all that is needed to add that extra layer of spice.

    Substitutions

    Beans

    Pinto beans are also a good substitute for black or red kidney beans.

    Ground beef

    If you don't want to use beef for this recipe, you can substitute it for ground sausage, ground chicken, or ground turkey.

    🔪 How to make

    You'll be surprised at how tasty this 5-ingredient chili recipe is to make and how easy it is to whip up. Just follow the instructions below and the helpful cooking tips to get started.

    Preparations

    • Open and drain the two cans of beans.
    • Dice the white onion.

    Cooking instructions

    Step 1
    Set a large pot over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef for 5 to 7 minutes until browned, stirring frequently.

    cook ground beef until brown

    Tip: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef to a plate, leaving 1 tablespoon of the beef fat in the pot.

    Step 2
    Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft.

    Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft

    Step 3
    Add the 2 cans beans, cooked beef, and diced tomatoes with chiles into the pot and turn the heat down to medium-low.

    Add the 2 cans beans, cooked beef, and diced tomatoes with chiles

    Step 4
    Simmer the sauce for around 10 minutes until fragrant and thickened slightly.

    Step 5
    Remove from the heat and spoon into bowls. Top with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or tortilla chips.

    5-ingredient-chili serving

    💭 Cooking tips

    Using turkey or chicken

    If you opted to use ground turkey instead of beef, cook it in the pot with a tablespoon of olive oil to help it brown.

    Thin sauce

    Some cans of diced tomatoes come with watered-down tomato juice that will need to be cooked longer on medium heat to make your chili thicker. The longer your chili cooks, the thicker it will become, so keep your eye on it until the consistency is to your liking.

    📖 Variations

    This 5-ingredient chili recipe is the easy version that uses minimal ingredients to create a delicious chili in 25 minutes, but if you want to give it some extra flavor, we have a few variations for you.

    Roasted green chilies

    Use a can of fire-roasted green chilis and a can of diced tomatoes instead of 2 cans of tomatoes with green chilis for a smokey-flavored chili.

    Sweetened chili

    Add some sweetness to your chili with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Add the sugar to the chili at the same time as the cooked beef, beans, and tomatoes.

    Chili with chorizo

    Cooking 1 chopped chorizo with the ground beef will give your chili an extra meaty texture and add extra spice and flavor to the sauce.

    🥗 What to serve with

    There are many great recipes you can serve with this immensely satisfying 5-ingredient chili recipe.

    From tacos to enchiladas and casseroles, you can find them all in this comprehensive guide of 25 easy ground beef recipes with few ingredients.

    Or pair this easy chili recipe with other easy recipes, like meatloaf, ribs, or even stuffed peppers. Whatever recipe you choose, you can guarantee they're going to be easy to make with minimal ingredients and delicious!

    Another favorite combination we love at 730SageStreet is chili cheese fries! Pour this 5-ingredient chili over some freshly cooked fried and top it with shredded cheddar cheese for the perfect lunch or dinner for sharing with friends and family.

    🙋 Frequently asked questions

    Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?

    Yes, slow-cooker chili is just as easy to make in the crock pot. Simply brown the ground beef and onions in the pot, then drain the liquid and transfer the meat and remaining ingredients to your slow cooker. Turn the machine on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

    What can I use instead of diced tomatoes?

    If you don't have any diced tomatoes on hand, you can substitute them with a can of tomato soup or tomato sauce. These will both work to give your chili the same consistency and flavor. Just add an extra ½ cup of water if using tomato soup.

    Can I make this chili ahead of time?

    This 5-ingredient chili recipe is perfect for making ahead of time! Simply cook the chili according to the instructions, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge.

    🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating

    Any leftover 5-ingredient chili is great for using on other recipes, like tacos and enchiladas, and it's perfect for storing in the fridge or freezer to make it last longer.

    Fridge - Store your chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Freezer - Freeze your chili in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

    Reheating - When you're ready to eat, simply reheat your chili on the stove over medium heat until it's hot. You can also reheat it in the microwave, in 30-second increments, stirring after each one until it's heated.

    🍳 Related easy recipes

    Chili is always a family favorite during the fall and winter. For more ideas try one of these delicious meals below. Including my easy cheeseburger casserole.

    • doritos casserole feature image 4
      Easy Dorito Casserole
    • pulled pork sandwich featured
      Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
    • pulled pork tacos featured
      Pulled Pork Tacos
    • shredded chicken featured image
      Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos

    For more easy dinner ideas make with ground beef check out my ground beef and rice recipes with few ingredients and my easy ground beef recipes.

    👪 Serving size

    This 5-ingredient recipe will provide 4 to 6 servings, and the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to suit your needs.

    This chili recipe is perfect for home cooks on a budget and those after-work evenings, as it takes just 25 minutes to prepare. And if you're looking for more tasty recipes for dinner to impress your friends and family, try our 50 best cheap dinner ideas for less than $10.

    📋 Recipe

    5-ingredient-chili featured

    Easy 5 Ingredient Chili (30-Minute Meal)

    This seriously easy 5-ingredient chili recipe is pure comfort food in one bowl! And best of all, it's made with just 5 pantry staple ingredients and takes 25 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved! Share
    Course: dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 307kcal
    Author: Kim Grabinski

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound Ground beef
    • 1 small White onion - diced
    • 3 (15 oz.) cans Diced tomatoes with green chiles
    • 2 (15 oz.) cans beans - drained (black beans, kidney beans)
    • 2 tablespoons Chili powder

    Instructions

    Preparations

    • Open and drain the two cans of beans.
    • Dice the white onion.

    Cooking instructions

    • Set a large pot over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef for 5 to 7 minutes until browned, stirring frequently. 
      Tip: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef to a plate, leaving 1 tablespoon of the beef fat in the pot.
    • Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft.
    • Add the 2 cans beans, cooked beef, and diced tomatoes with chiles into the pot and turn the heat down to medium-low.
    • Simmer the sauce for around 10 minutes until fragrant and thickened slightly.
    • Remove from the heat and spoon into bowls.
    • Top with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or tortilla chips.

    Notes

    Using turkey or chicken
    If you opted to use ground turkey instead of beef, cook it in the pot with a tablespoon of olive oil to help it brown.
    Thin sauce
    Some cans of diced tomatoes come with watered-down tomato juice that will need to be cooked longer on medium heat to make your chili thicker. The longer your chili cooks, the thicker it will become, so keep your eye on it until the consistency is to your liking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karina Stone

      December 02, 2022 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe with ground chicken and it works out well. Very flavourful and easy to make especially when you always have a busy week like me. I stored in the fridge for two more meals. Thanks!

      Reply

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    Kim @ 730 Sage Street

    Hi, I'm Kim!

    Creating easy recipes with everyday ingredients since 2008. I believe you can make quality homemade recipes even if you are short on time and budget-conscious. You just need to dive in and learn as you go!

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