Hey y’all, it’s Darian here from County Mama Cooking! As a busy wife and mama of three little ones, I’m always on the lookout for hearty, comforting meals that I can whip up quickly on a weeknight. And let me tell you, this stove top chili recipe ticks all the boxes!
As I mentioned in my intro, I’m married to the most loving and supportive husband, and we have three beautiful kiddos – Zoey, Scarlette, and Dain. They keep me on my toes but they also inspire me in the kitchen. I love cooking up meals that my whole family will enjoy, and this chili is definitely a crowd pleaser. The best part is it comes together in just about an hour from start to finish. Now that’s my kind of weeknight dinner!
Stove Top Chilli
Equipment
- 1 medium large sized pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground meat
- 1 cup Chopped onions
- 1 tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 cans Mushrooms
- 2 cans Tomatoes
- 1½ cups Corn
- 2 cans Beans
- 1 tbsp Chili powder or Taco seasoning
- 1 can Tomato paste
Instructions
- In a medium large sized pot, drizzle some olive oil and add the ground meat. Cook the meat over medium heat.
- Once the meat is fully cooked, toss in your onions and minced garlic. Mix together and cook for about 2 minutes, just to get the onions softened up.
- Sprinkle in the chili powder or taco seasoning, or both. Mix until all the seasoning looks well incorporated.
- Next, dump in the corn and mushrooms. Mix until well combined.
- Toss in the tomatoes, mix well.
- Then continue by adding in the beans. Give a good stir to combine everything.
- Bring the chili mixture to a slow boil - about 10 minutes
- Add in the tomato paste. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Cover and let cook for another 20 minutes on low/medium heat, stirring occasionally so nothing burns or sticks to the bottom.
- Once done, remove the lid and turn off the heat. Give a good stir and serve with your favorite toppings!
Video
Notes
Why Stove Top Chili is a Weeknight Winner
There are a few key reasons why this chili recipe is perfect for busy weeknights:
Quick Cook Time
With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of simmering, it’s ready in under an hour. No long simmering or waiting around for flavors to develop. This chili comes together quickly but still packs a flavor punch.
One Pot
Y’all know I love a good one pot meal! With ground beef, spices, tomatoes, beans – it all gets simmered together in one pot for easy cooking and even easier cleanup.
Kid-Approved
My kiddos can’t get enough of this chili. The combo of ground beef, beans, and tomatoes seems to be a winner with most kids. And for picky eaters, just leave out the spicier ingredients.
Endlessly Customizable
Don’t like certain ingredients? Swap in your favorites! I love that this recipe can be adapted in so many ways. Try turkey instead of beef, different beans, extra veggies, or spice it up with jalapenos. Get creative!
Freezer-Friendly
Leftovers freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. I like to portion it out into freezer bags for easy reheating later on. It’s like a little gift to my future self!
Cooking Tips for the Best Stove Top Chili
I’ve made this chili recipe more times than I can count, so I’ve picked up a few tips along the way for making the absolute best pot of chili:
- Brown the beef well – Take the time to really brown the ground beef before adding the other ingredients. Those flavorful browned bits add so much depth.
- Simmer low and slow – Once it reaches a boil, reduce to a low simmer and let it bubble gently for 30-45 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add acidic ingredients – For brightness, stir in a splash of lime juice or red wine vinegar at the end. This helps balance the richness.
- Adjust spices to taste – Adding more chili powder and cayenne pepper really kicks up the heat. For milder chili, use less. Taste and tweak the seasonings until it’s perfect for you.
- Top it off – Garnish with shredded cheddar, diced onion, avocado, cilantro – the options are endless. Let everyone customize their bowl.
- Serve with sides – We love scooping our chili over rice or wrapping it in tortillas. Cornbread and chips are also perfect for dunking.
Answering Your FAQs
I know you guys always have great questions about my recipes, so here are some common FAQs about this chili:
Should the chili simmer with the lid on or off?
I recommend starting with the lid on to allow the chili to simmer faster. Then remove the lid toward the end to reduce the liquid and thicken it up.
How do you thicken the chili?
Simmering it uncovered helps reduce liquid. You can also stir in a tablespoon of masa harina or corn starch at the end.
Can I prep the Stove Top Chili ahead of time?
Absolutely! Brown the meat, chop the veggies, and measure out the spices in advance. Then just toss it all in the pot to simmer when ready.
Speaking of pots, if you’re wondering ‘Can You Use A Dutch Oven On The Stovetop‘, I’ve got a guide that answers this question in detail. It provides useful information about using a Dutch oven on the stovetop, including safety tips and cooking techniques. Click here to learn more and make the most out of your Dutch oven!
How should I reheat leftover Stove Top Chili?
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed. The flavors improve even more the next day!
Well there you have it, my full chili recipe and tips for making the absolute best pot of stove top chili. This hearty one-pot wonder really is the ultimate comfort food. The whole family will devour bowl after bowl.
I love that it comes together quickly but still has so much rich flavor. It’s also budget-friendly and freezes beautifully for easy meals later on. This chili will definitely become a regular rotation in your weeknight dinner lineup.
Let me know if you give this a try! I always love hearing what you think of my recipes. And if you have any special add-ins or tweaks, make sure to share. I’m all about customizing recipes to suit your family’s tastes.