Easy Three Bean Chili

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This Easy Three Bean Chili is my all-time favorite, classic chili recipe! It’s warm and comforting on a cold day and SOOO easy to make! Simmer it on the stove if you’re in a hurry, or throw it into the crockpot! No matter how you prepare it, it’s a bowl of heaven on busy weeknights! Leftovers are just DIVINE the next day!

Easy 3 bean chili on a wooden ladle.

On chilly days, there’s not much better than a big bowl of hot chili and warm you up! This three bean chili recipe is a tried and true CLASSIC recipe that I have made over and over!

Depending on how much of a hurry I am in, I’ll either simmer this on the stove or throw it into the crockpot. Either way, it’s super easy to make and comes out perfect every time!

Pile on your favorite chili toppings and serve it up with this amazing (easy!) Sweet Cornbread and dinner is served!

Want to impress your friends?! Set up a chili bar with this chili recipe as the centerpiece! It’s perfect for large gatherings and game day!! Need another game day idea? Make this amazing chili sauce for hot dogs!

Related: How to Set Up a Chili Bar

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Classic chili recipe with SO MUCH flavor!
  • Perfect warm, comforting weeknight meal for cold weather days!
  • Can be made easily on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.
  • Can easily be adapted to have more or less spice, veggies or protein.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Easy Three Bean Chili Recipe:

Ingredients needed to make easy 3 bean chili.

INGREDIENT NOTES

Bell pepper: ANY color or a combination of colors works great!

Ground Beef: I like using 90% lean or more…then you don’t have to drain it! 🙂

HOW TO MAKE THREE BEAN CHILI: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients (with printable recipe card!) are below.

Step 1: In a big pot, cook veggies 2-3 minutes until soft.

Yellow bell pepper and onion being cooked in a large stock pot.

Step 2: Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink.

Ground beef and veggies being cooked in a white pot with a wooden spoon.

Step 3: Add remaining ingredients: tomato sauce, spices, beans and water. Give everything a big stir!

Three bean chili with beans and tomato sauce being added.

Step 4: Simmer about 30 minutes until chili starts to thicken. Top with your favorite chili toppings!

3 Bean Chili in a white pot, already cooked.

⭐️ CONFIDENCE TIP ⭐️
Canned tomato sauce and beans have varying amounts of sodium, depending on the brand. For this reason, I suggest starting with adding only 1 tsp of salt to your chili. At the end, taste the chili. If it needs more salt, add it in at this time to ensure your chili isn’t too salty!

STORAGE & REHEATING

  • Reheating: Reheat chili in a pan over the stove or covered, in the microwave. Add a splash of water or chicken stock if you want to thin it out a bit.

  • Freezing: The best way to freeze this chili is to cool it completely. Then, transfer chili to a freezer bag and freeze FLAT in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge, then follow reheating instructions above.

EASY ADDITIONS

Here are few additions you can try:

  • For more heat/spice: chipotle peppers, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and an additional jalapeno can all be added if you want more spice!

  • Meat/Protein: Ground turkey or chicken can be used to replace ground beef…or use a combination of meats! You can also add more beans and use only 1 lb. of meat.

  • Veggies: Add in more bell pepper (red, yellow, or green pepper), or 1-2 cups of frozen sweet corn.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the best toppings for chili?

Favorite “traditional” chili toppings include: : cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, fresh cilantro, and red onion.

Need more ideas for toppings?? Check out these 50+ Toppings for Chili!

What goes well with this three-bean chili?

My favorite “sides” to serve alongide chili are always “dippers” like corn chips, tortilla chips, warm flour or corn tortillas and cornbread! You can also serve a nice, fresh green salad on the side too!

What are the best beans to use in this chili recipe?

Honestly, use what you like! I love the combination of different beans, but mix and match however you like! Pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are all great options.

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A big bowl of three bean chili in a white bowl with all the fixings.

TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE

Check out all of my kitchen essentials in my Amazon store!

Slow Cooker: Love this simple, PRETTY slow cooker!

Dutch Oven: Perfect if you’re making this chili on the stovetop.

Potato Masher: My favorite tool for getting ground meat broken up nice and fine!

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TRY THESE NEXT…

I hope you love this Easy Three Bean Chili! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

Easy Three Bean Chili {Crockpot + Stove Top}

Casey Rooney
This Easy Three Bean Chili is my all-time favorite, classic chili recipe! It's warm and comforting on a cold day and SOOO easy to make! Simmer it over the stove if you're in a hurry, or throw it into the crockpot and it's a bowl of heaven on busy weeknights! Leftovers are just DIVINE the next day!
4.89 from 9 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced keep seeds for more heat
  • 1 bell pepper, diced green, yellow and red bell pepper are my faves!
  • 2 lbs. lean ground beef 90% lean or more works best, you can also use ground turkey or chicken.
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt or kosher salt See Note 1
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 15 oz. cans of tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • your favorite chili toppings: cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, cilantro, corn chips, tortilla chips, etc.

Instructions
 

Stove Top Instructions

  • Cook Veggies: Add olive oil to the bottom of a large pot or dutch oven. Over medium-high heat, add onion, jalapeno, bell pepper and cook 2-3 minutes until veggies start to soften.
  • Add Meat: Add ground beef and cook 2-3 minutes, breaking the meat up with a spoon as it cooks. Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper and mix well. Pro Tip: Use a potato masher during the last minute of cooking to get the meat broken up nice and fine!
  • Finish: Add remaining ingredients (tomato sauce, water and beans) and give everything a big stir. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to medium low and simmer for about 30 minutes until chili begins to thicken. Taste and season with salt if necessary (See Note 1).
  • Serve: Ladle chili into big bowls and top with all of your favorite toppings!

Crockpot/Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Cook Meat: In a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil. Add ground beef and cook 2-3 minutes, breaking the meat up with a spoon as it cooks. Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper and mix well Pro Tip: Use a potato masher during the last minute of cooking to get the meat broken up nice and fine!
  • Slow Cook: Transfer meat to the crockpot. Add all remaining ingredients and give everything big stir! Cook on low 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours until chili has thickened. Taste and season with salt if necessary (See Note 1).
  • Serve: Ladle chili into big bowls and top with all of your favorite chili toppings!

Notes

Note 1: Canned tomato sauce and beans have varying amounts of sodium, depending on the brand. For this reason, I suggest starting with only 1 tsp of salt. At the end, taste your chili. If it needs more salt, add it in at this time to ensure your chili isn’t too salty!
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Nutrition

Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 16.5gProtein: 39gFat: 9.6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 993mgPotassium: 972mgFiber: 5.4gSugar: 6.5gCalcium: 51mgIron: 24mg
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