Warm your tastebuds and belly with my easy three bean chili with ground beef recipe. This comfort food classic is an amazing combination of three beans, ground beef, and a flavorful tomato based broth. One of my favorite “pantry meals” that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

 

I love a big bowl of chili, especially on a cold day. It really is the perfect meal when you want hearty, delicious comfort food.

When I am developing recipes I try and think about making something simple but that is still packed with flavor. That is why this is one of my favorite chili recipes because you just need a few cans from your pantry and a pack of ground beef.

The other great thing about this bean chili is that you can serve it in many different ways. It’s great in a bowl with toppings, on top of nachos, or even on top of pasta to make chili mac.

If you want a beefier chili, be sure to check out this Texas style chili recipe.

Three bean chili ingredients

This recipe can be made with a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen making it a great pantry dinner.

• Beans – We are using a mix of canned beans for this chili. Black beans, pinto beans, and light red kidney beans are a wonderful combination of taste and texture.
• Ground beef – Lean ground beef adds rich, meaty flavor. You could substitute with ground bison, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
• Seasonings – You will need chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. You can also substitute with 2.5 tablespoons of this homemade chili seasoning.
• Tomatoes – For the tomato base I am using petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
• Broth – Beef broth gives extra beefy flavor.
• Onion – Use white onion, red onion, or diced green onions.

How to make easy three bean chili

Scroll to the bottom to get the full, printable recipe plus a step-by-step video.

Step one: Beef – Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease. Add in diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step two: Seasonings – Add in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.

Step three: Beans – Stir in beef stock, black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans. Stir again. Let the chili come to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Chili topping ideas

Try adding extra flavor with some of these topping ideas:

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Sliced jalapenos
• Green onions
• Hot sauce
• Corn chips
• Avocado

Three bean chili variations

• Tomatoes – You can substitute petite diced tomatoes with a can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilis.
• Vegetables – Try adding in diced bell peppers, corn kernels, or diced jalapeno for extra heat.
• Meat – You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken.

How to store leftovers

Chili makes the best leftovers. This list of recipes using leftover chili will give you ideas on how to use what you have left.

Store: Let the chili cool and then store in an airtight container. It will last about 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Freeze: Chili freezes well. Let cool and store in a freezer safe container or bag. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and the reheat on the stove or microwave.

What to serve with bean chili

There are so many things to serve with your big bowl of chili like tortilla chips, cornbread, and more. Be sure to check out our list of 27 best chili side dishes for more ideas.

Common questions

I hope you love this and be sure to check out some other easy dinner ideas. Let me know what you think of this chili recipe in the comments.

More beefy recipes

• Beef stew
• Chuck roast recipes
• Leftover steak recipes
• Ground beef alfredo