Fast And Easy Ground Beef Chili Mix – 30 Minute Dinner

Nothing beats a warm, hearty bowl of ground beef chili, especially when it comes together in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re short on time or just craving an easy meal without the fuss, this ground beef chili recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or when you need comfort food in a hurry. It’s rich, flavorful, and packed with protein, making it a go-to meal for the whole family.

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Chili is a staple in our household.  It’s the kind of meal that comes together quickly, but it tastes even better the next day, making leftovers something to actually look forward to.

I always make a big batch of my own seasoning blend, which means I know exactly what’s going into it—no mystery ingredients, no questionable preservatives, just pure, delicious spices with so much flavor.

Below, I will give you the recipe to make one meal, or go to the recipe card to make a large batch of the seasoning mix to make homemade chili nights even easier.

Why You’ll Love This Chili Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
• One-Pot Meal: One-pot makes cleanup easy for a stress-free dinner.
• Flavorful & Hearty: Packed with bold spices, tender beef, and beans.
• Customizable: Adjust the heat, swap ingredients, or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding extra beans.
• Large Batch: Make a large batch seasoning mix and make chili night even easier.

Ground Beef Chili Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef in this easy chili recipe, but substitute it with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer. 

Oil – A little oil to brown the ground meat.

Tomato Sauce – The tomato sauce adds richness, depth, and just the right amount of acidity to balance out the spices and hearty ingredients.

Diced Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes add a slightly chunky contrast to the rich, saucy base.

Kidney Beans – Beans add a hearty, filling texture. There are other bean choices that go well in chili- see other bean options below.

Beer or beef broth – Broth or beer adds a rich, savory base.

If have your own canned dry beans or beef broth, this chili is pantry-to-table from scratch and you’ve got a bowl that came entirely from this homestead.

Chili Seasoning Ingredients (See the recipe card for a large batch mix)

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Chili Powder – Chili powder is the signature flavor that adds a deep, smoky, slightly spicy flavor.

Granulated Garlic – The garlic adds deep flavor; using granulated garlic means no peeling, chopping, or mincing for quick chili nights. 

Oregano – Preferably, use Mexican oregano since it is bolder and earthier than its Italian counterpart.  If you only have Italian oregano – it will work.

Cumin – Ground cumin adds a warm, smoky flavor and is an important seasoning that makes chili taste like chili.

Paprika – Paprika adds a sweet, smoky flavor that also adds a boost of color. Use your favorite sweet, smoked or hot paprika.

Onion Powder – Onion is a must flavor in chili, the onion powder means no peeling or chopping for a quick dinner.

Salt – Salt is a general flavor booster.

Cayenne Pepper – It adds spicy, complex flavor boost. Skip it, if you prefer a chili that is extra mild.

Masa Harina – This corn flour is a thickening agent that adds an authentic Mexican flavor.

Red Pepper Flakes – For extra spicy chili add red pepper flakes or use your favorite hot sauce for your preferred spice level.

To Make a Large Batch of Chili seasoning Mix

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Add all the seasonings except for the masa harina or optional red pepper flakes into a large mixing bowl. Mix well and store in an airtight container such as a mason jar. When ready to make a pot of chili, add 1/3 cup of the seasoning mix in step 2.

To Make Fast & Easy Ground Beef Chili

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Add the ground beef to a large pot or Dutch oven, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook on medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Add the Spices

Stir in the chili powder, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, cayenne and optional red pepper flakes. Let the spices toast for about 30 seconds to enhance their flavors.

Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained kidney beans, and beer or beef broth. Stir well to combine everything.

Step 4: Simmer

Reduce the stove-top heat to a simmer.  Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. To thicken the chili, mix the corn flour with water, add to the chili, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!

Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes. Serve with cornbread, corn chips, or over rice for an extra hearty meal.

Other bean options:

If you’re not a fan of kidney beans (or just like to mix things up), plenty of other beans can step in and do the job just as well—maybe even better! Here are a few great options:

Black beans – Slightly smaller, creamier, and with a mild, earthy flavor, these beans blend beautifully into chili and give it a Southwest vibe.

Pinto beans – Soft, buttery, and a little nutty, pinto beans practically melt into the chili, making it extra hearty.

Great Northern beans – If you’re going for a milder, slightly creamier chili, these white beans add a nice contrast while still soaking up all the smoky, spicy goodness.

Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) – Not traditional, but chickpeas add a slightly firmer bite and a unique nuttiness.

Cannellini beans – Like Great Northern beans, these are mild and creamy but hold their shape a little better, making them great for chili.

Navy beans – Smaller and softer, navy beans break down a bit more in chili, helping to thicken it up while still adding a nice texture.

Basically, if it’s a bean and you like it, use it!

Storing Leftover Chili

Leftover chili can be stored in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.

Favorite Toppings for Chili

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• Shredded Monterey jack or cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green or diced white onion
• Diced or sliced avocado
• Crushed tortilla chips or corn chips
• Fresh Cilantro
• Squeeze of fresh lime juice
• Jalapeno Peppers

What to Serve with Chili

• Cornbread: A classic side that pairs perfectly with chili. Try my brown butter cornbread recipe.
• Tortilla or Frito Chips: For scooping or adding crunch.
• Rice: Brown or white rice is a great way to stretch the meal further.
• Side Salad: To lighten up the meal with fresh greens. Try my Mexican coleslaw.

This fast and easy ground beef chili is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s warm, comforting, and flavorful—all in just 30 minutes.

Whether you’re cooking for the family, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd, this recipe is a foolproof favorite. Give it a try, and let me know how you like it!

More recipes you might enjoy

• Cowboy Caviar Recipe – Side Salad or Appetizer
• Birria Recipe – Mexican Slow Braised Stew and Tacos
• Enchilada Sauce Recipe: Authentic Mexican Flavor in Minutes

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