What are the basic ingredients for chili?

At its simplest, chili typically includes ground meat (like beef or turkey), beans, tomatoes, chili seasoning, and a liquid like water or broth. Our 5 ingredient chili hits all those notes in the simplest way possible—no chopping, no fuss.

What is the secret ingredient in good chili?

Many chili fans swear by adding unsweetened cocoa powder, strong coffee, or a splash of vinegar. These extras boost the depth of flavor without overpowering the dish. But when you’re sticking to just five ingredients, the real secret is to brown the meat well and use a robust chili seasoning blend.

How do you make easy 3 ingredient chili?

If you're short even two more ingredients, try browning ground beef, adding a can of chili beans, and mixing in a can of chili-seasoned tomatoes. It won’t be quite as rich as 5 ingredient chili , but it’ll do in a pinch!

“Chili 5 way” is a Cincinnati-style dish layered like this: spaghetti, chili, beans, chopped onion, and shredded cheese. It’s more about how it’s served than how it’s made. You can absolutely use 5 ingredient chili as the base and build it up to make your own five-way version.

5 Ingredient Chili Recipe | Amazing Flavor With Just 5 Basics

Name: 5 Ingredient Chili Recipe That Actually Tastes Amazing
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or turkey; 1 can (15 oz) kidney or black beans, drained; 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce; 1 packet chili seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade); 1/2 cup water or broth

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 can (15 oz) kidney or black beans, drained

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1 packet chili seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)

1/2 cup water or broth

Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat in a large pot until fully cooked.

2. Add beans and tomato sauce, stir to combine.

3. Stir in chili seasoning and water or broth.

4. Simmer uncovered on medium-low for 15–20 minutes.

5. Serve hot with optional toppings like cheese or sour cream.

Notes

For extra richness, use beef broth instead of water.

Add cheese, diced onion, or tortilla chips for toppings.

Author: Sarah Hale
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: 5 ingredient chili, easy chili recipe, quick chili