Barbecue Chili Recipe (2024)

Updated on |By Kate|50 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

Best chili recipe! This simple homemade beef Barbecue Chili recipe is flavored with barbecue sauce for an easy chili that’s sure to please.

Barbecue Chili Recipe (1)

Barbecue Chili recipe is one of my favorite cold-weather dinners. I’m not much of a cold-weather person though.

When it dropped to 70 degrees here the other day, I figured that it was close enough to winter. So, I made this chili and some corn bread for supper.

How to make chili (the easy way)

This chili recipe couldn’t be much easier – you brown the ground beef, throw everything in a pot, and then just let it simmer.

Barbecue Chili Recipe (2)

What kind of barbecue sauce should I use

So much of the flavor of this chili depends on the barbecue sauce that you use. I usually use one with brown sugar because we like it to be a little sweet and spicy.

Just choose a barbecue sauce you like, and it’ll be great!

Barbecue Chili Recipe (3)

Can I freeze this chili

You can. I suggest waiting to add the beans until you reheat the chili to avoid any mushiness.

More chili recipes!

If you’ve tried this barbecue chili recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

You cansubscribeto receive my latest recipe newsletters orfollow meonFacebook,InstagramandPinterestfor even more delicious food.

Barbecue Chili Recipe (5)

4.96 from 23 votes

Barbecue Chili Recipe


Author Kate @ I Heart Eating

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Chili flavored with barbecue sauce for a quick and tasty dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow or white onion finely chopped
  • 2-15 ounce cans kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 3-14 ounce cans diced tomatoes
  • 16-18 ounce bottle of barbecue sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder feel free to add more if you like things on the spicier side
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat. Drain.

  • Return the cooked meat to the pot.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine.

  • Cover, and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring as needed, for about 1-2 hours.

Video

Notes

*Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 867mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3.8mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @katedean and Pinterest @katedean for more!

Originally published 10/2/13. Updated with new tips 8/6/18.

New Recipes In Your Inbox!

Subscribe to the newsletter for more delicious recipes!

Created by Kate

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

Reader Interactions

Love this recipe?

Share your thoughts below and let’s chat! Make sure to connect with me on your favorite social platform below and show me what you made!

    Leave A Reply!

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Cindy Welty says

    Barbecue Chili Recipe (6)
    The best chili ever, only one I make now!!!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

  2. A tomlinson says

    Barbecue Chili Recipe (7)
    I’ve always been searching for a good chili recipe that could be my go to that wasn’t a traditional flavor and wow you knocked this out of the ballpark.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  3. Chania Tripp says

    I wish there was a low sodium version of this 867 sodium for this meal is a bit concerning.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      The nutrition values are estimates. The program doesn’t take things like rinsing the beans into account in calculating the values.

      Reply

  4. Buay says

    Barbecue Chili Recipe (8)
    I’ve made this recipe like three times and it’s amazing. I’m trying it again right now but using a small batch on the side w/o BBQ sauce so I’ll report back!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks!

      Reply

  5. Rosalie says

    Barbecue Chili Recipe (9)
    The recipe is easy to follow. It taste heavenly. I chose my own BBQ sauce and molasses. My husband and son couldn’t get enough of it.
    I do recommend this recipe

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much! This is family favorite, and it’s great to hear that other people are enjoying it, too! =)

      Reply

« Older Comments

Barbecue Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  • Brown the Meat.
  • Don't Forget Vegetables.
  • Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  • Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  • Opt for Dried Beans.
  • Season Early and Often.
  • Add Some Acidity at the End.
  • Top It Off.

How to unlock barbecue and chili? ›

Prestige The Cannibal to Prestige 1, 2, 3 respectively to unlock Tier I, Tier II, Tier III of Barbecue & Chilli for all other Characters. unlocks potential in one's Aura-reading ability. revealed to you for 5 seconds.

Why is Texas chili different? ›

What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.

What is the best cut of meat to make chili? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What state does not put beans in chili? ›

Beans in chili? Not if you're from Texas! While some people claim that chili can be made with a variety of ingredients—including beef and bean chili, chipotle chicken chili, or dare we say veggie chili—anyone from the Lone Star State would argue that traditional chili simply does not contain beans.

Did cowboys put beans in their chili? ›

But stories are spread that the beef was too valuable and was limited to be used as food on the cattle drive, so extra protein came from a pot of beans along side the chili pot. The cowboys then mixed the chili and beans together in a tin plate.

Is crushed or diced tomatoes better for chili? ›

If you are making chili that will cook for 30 to 40 minutes, diced tomatoes will work best. If you want to make a quick, fresh-flavored tomato sauce with basil, choose the crushed tomatoes. You will only need to cook the sauce for about 20 minutes to get the right thickness and a balanced flavor.

What beans are best in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

Making homemade chili is quite simple. You'll first need to cook the onions and garlic. Then you'll add your beef and cook it through. You'll finally add the peppers and seasonings, stirring it together to get that beautiful flavor together.

What can I add to chili to make it amazing? ›

Spices: While cumin, chile powder, and cayenne pepper tend to be common additions to many chili recipes, there's a broad world of flavor out there to experiment with. Try a little fenugreek, turmeric, garam masala, or sumac to layer in more complex flavors. Smoky paprika is my own personal favorite.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Why doesn't my chili taste good? ›

Not Cooking It Long Enough

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 6080

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.