This Blue Ribbon Chili is your classic, hearty chili filled with beef, two types of beans, and lots of seasonings. This recipe truly is a winner.
Thick, hearty, and easy to make! This is my all-time favorite beef and bean chili, aka blue-ribbon chili. This tried and true recipe can be made on the stove or use a slow cooker to simmer it until all of the delicious flavors develop – add your favorite toppings for the best bowl of chili ever.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
This recipe is a winner, hands down best chili recipe ever! Well, it’s a winner for everyone in the house except my husband, Jake, who swears he is “allergic” to beans. Meaning he hates any type of legume. So, he sticks to his Classic Chili Con Carne.
Luckily, my kids don’t take after him in the bean department – each and every one of them loves this beef chili with beans.
The only time this recipe got a red ribbon instead of a blue was when I went up against my husband last year in a chili cook-off, I have my reasons why he won. I mean come on, is it really chili if it doesn’t have beans?
You Will Love This Homemade Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Chopped onion
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Tomato sauce
- Salsa
- Chili powder
- Canned light red kidney beans
- Canned dark red kidney beans
How do you make Blue Ribbon Chili?
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and sauté for 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
While the meat and onions are cooking, grab a medium mixing bowl and add the tomato sauce, salsa, green chiles, and seasonings; stir to combine.
Once the meat is cooked thoroughly, add the tomato mixture to the pot, add in the dark and light kidney beans, and stir to combine.
Reduce heat to low, cover chili with a lid, leaving a slight crack to let our steam, and let the chili simmer for an hour; string occasionally to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom.
Remove the lid and simmer for another 15 minutes, or until it’s thickened.
Add your favorite toppings for serving.
Slow Cooker Instructions
For a slow cooker recipe, add all ingredients and then cook the chili on low for at least six hours before serving.
Topping Ideas
There are so many ways to garnish chili – here are some you can mix and match!
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced jalapenos
- Diced red onion or white onion
- A spoonful of sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
Chili Variations
I love this beef and bean chili precisely as it is, but you can change it up. It’s easy to make substitutions based on what you have on hand.
- Instead of ground beef, you make turkey chili with ground turkey.
- Switch up the beans – black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and great northern beans are all great, and you can pair them up however you like.
- Add other veggies like diced bell peppers and jalapeno peppers to the chili.
- If you want it spicy use your favorite hot salsa.
Storage
The flavors only get better when the chili can chill, so feel free to make it ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to three to four days.
You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for two to three months.
I have made this blue ribbon chili so many times I have it memorized! I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do.
Pair this More Cozy Chili Recipes…
Pin To Your Favorite Pinterest Board!
Blue Ribbon Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup salsa
- 4 ounces canned chopped green chiles
- 5 tablespoons chili powder
- 15 ounce can light red kidney beans
- 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium to medium-high heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and sauté for 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
- While the meat and onions are cooking, grab a medium mixing bowl and add the tomato sauce, salsa, green chiles, and seasonings; stir to combine.
- Once the meat is cooked thoroughly, add the tomato mixture to the pot, add in the dark and light kidney beans and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover chili with a lid, leaving a slight crack to let our steam, and let the chili simmer for an hour; string occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom.
- Remove the lid and simmer for another 15 minutes, or until it's thickened.
- Add your favorite toppings for serving.
Video
What would be a good substitution for beans if I am legume intolerant? Have you also ever tried a cajun chili?
Cajun Chili would have a nice flare! xo San
Seems like it’s short on ingredients? I make a version that has cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes. And of course chili powder. Mine also has a chopped green pepper and fresh garlic., beef broth.
This is one of my favorite chili recipes. I made it this past weekend, and it’s definitely in my rotation from now on.
This Blue Ribbon Chili is the ultimate comfort food!
The only chili recipe I’ll use, perfect for game day.
This is the perfect winter dish! Flavorful and rich! Deliciousness!
Mmmmm…. this is the best chili I’ve ever made! My family goes crazy over it!
Can’t ever have too many chili recipes! Question about this one: did you use chili powder (as listed in the ingredients), or chili seasoning mix (as mentioned in the directions)? Thanks!
Thank you for pointing this out! It is chili powder, not the mix. Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Sandra!
I love the addition of salsa…. so smart!!
On the slow cooker recipe, do you still brown the meat before adding to the crockpot?
Hi Angie, you should definitely follow step 1 by browning the meat and onion before adding to the crockpot! I hope you enjoy the chili.
Amazing chili recipe. Everyone love it. I highly recommend it!
This is the perfect chili! Its incredibly delicious! We are definitely making this again and again!
My family and I loved this chili! It was very flavorful and easy to make!!
That is beyond delicious! Such a fantastic dish!
This is hands down the best chili recipe I have tried. We will be making this a lot over the winter!
Looks incredibly delicious! I would love to make this!
Looks so delish! My family would definitely love this!
Such a hearty and delicious meal! My family loves this chili!
YummmmmO! This is SO good! definitely an award winning recipe! YUM!
I make a similar recipe but use half of my favorite Taco seasoning and half chili powder.
Wow, blue ribbon is right! This stuff is so yummy!
So good on these cold winter days – LOVE IT!
I can see why this is called blue ribbon chili! It’s absolutely wonderful!
I have tried many chili recipes and this is hands down my favorite!
Flavorful and absolutely delicious! One of the best I have ever made!
Blue ribbon chili is now my go-to recipe for cold nights! The combination of spices and the richness of the chili—it’s comfort in a bowl!