Looking for a no-fuss, full-flavored, easy chili recipe to cook up in a hurry?
Try my 5-ingredient chili recipe! ♡
It comes together in just 30 minutes and features all of those cozy chili flavors we all love. Feel free to use your favorite type of beans and protein here (ground beef or plant-based ground “meat” will both work)
5-Ingredient Easy Chili Recipe | 1-Minute Video
5-Ingredient Easy Chili
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 4-6 servings 1x
Description
No one will ever guess that this delicious chili was made with just 5 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or turkey*
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 3 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 2 (15 oz.) cans beans, drained (black beans, kidney beans, a combo, or whatever you like)
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- (optional toppings: shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, cilantro, etc.)
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, cook ground beef or turkey over medium-high heat until browned, stirring frequently. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beef or turkey to a separate plate and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of grease in the stockpot, and discard the rest.
- Add the onion to the stockpot and saute for 4-5 minutes, or until soft.
- Add remaining ingredients and the cooked beef or turkey to the stockpot, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with optional toppings if desired. Or, store in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Notes
*If using ground turkey, you will need to heat a tablespoon of olive oil beforehand to help cook and brown the turkey, and then add an additional tablespoon of oil to cook the onion.
**You can also make this in the slow cooker. You just need to brown your meat on the stove and drain it before adding the meat to your slow cooker. Then slow cook the chili on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
This post contains affiliate links.
Do I need to add water to the chili?
Nope, you shouldn’t need to. Enjoy!
Could you make something like this with ground chicken?
We haven’t tried that Sherry, but we suspect you could! :)
Great recipe! I just made it in the slow cooker. Super easy and tasty. I did add a little garlic powder and some red pepper flakes, and I lightly seasoned the ground beef while I browned it, but that mostly has to do with my personal taste.
While delicious and simple, my chili didn’t really look like the chili in the photo. I wish mine had that deep rust hue and thicker texture. I literally just made it and had a bowl, so maybe if will develop that color as it sits a few more hours or overnight and melds together.
So glad you enjoyed the chili! Yes, different chili powders can yield different colors, as can other factors with cooking. Whatever the color though, I hope it still tasted great! :)
Is there a substitute for the chili powder? I couldn’t find it in my local grocery store oddly enough! And I only found diced tomatoes without the green chillies! Any substitutes for them? It looks delicious and I can’t wait to try!
Oooh, there’s really not a great substitute for chili powder in this one. There are various other KINDS of chili powders you can use — ancho, chipotle, etc., but I’d say it’s worth it to track down a traditional chili powder (not cayenne). And feel free to use the diced tomatoes with green chiles, those will taste great!
This is pretty much my go to recipe for chili, I make it a couple times a month. Tonight we added zucchini and it was amazing!! I try to make enough so I can have some for the next day because it’s so good!
That’s awesome Renee, we’re so glad you love it! Good call on the zucchini too, we bet that’s a delicious addition!
Just made this added some fritos and cheese on top and it was amazing. I have a 2 month old so this was a great simple recipe that was quick to make and filling to eat.
Fritos?! Now you’re talking! So glad you enjoyed it. : )
did this for dinner tonight I only put in a tea spoon of chili powder in and it was just enough for me. Thank you for sharing this recipe I look forward to trying more of your recipe .
Thanks Debra, I’m glad you liked it!
Very tasty broccoli.cheese soup. However, wish it were thicker. Help!
This chili is delicious. I’ve made it three time this month. I used ground turkey. I might be addicted to this chili
It’s me again. Help! Making a batch of your chili and I must’ve done something wrong…maybe put more chili powder in than the last time…it seems to be a bit more spicier than the last. I need to mild it down. What should I do?