Barbecue Chili Recipe (2024)

Updated on |By Kate|50 Comments

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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!

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Barbecue Chili Recipe (5)

4.96 from 24 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.

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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?

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    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 trick to a good chili? ›

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

How to make homemade chili more flavorful? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What makes a chili strong? ›

A few diced jalapeños will add a bright, fresh spiciness, while minced chipotles in adobo give chili more of a smoky, slow-burning character. You could also make a paste from dried chilis: Start by toasting a mix of dried ancho and pasilla chiles in a dry skillet, then soaking them in a bowl of warm water until soft.

Do you reduce chili with lid on or off? ›

For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot. We want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

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.

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

5 Secret Ingredients That'll Take Your Chili to the Next Level
  1. Cocoa Powder. Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. ...
  2. Beer. Why use water or stock as your liquid when you could add beer? ...
  3. Coffee. ...
  4. Cinnamon.
Sep 12, 2021

Why doesn't my chili have enough flavor? ›

Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili. Just add a little at a time until it tastes the way you want it too.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato sauce is not a strong a taste as tomato paste. Also, sauce will increase the liquid content of your chili ever so slightly. Tomato paste has a more full, rich, tomato taste and smell. Using either one is appropriate, but you will need to tweak your seasonings to suit your personal tastes, anyway.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

Mix in tomato paste: Using tomato paste as a thickening agent will give your final bowl of chili a tangy flavor. Add one can of tomato paste to your pot of chili, stirring the mixture and letting it cook on medium heat for about thirty minutes. 8.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Is chili OK to eat if left out overnight? ›

It would be very risky to eat any kind of meat, including chili, after it has been sitting out unrefrigerated for several hours. Bacteria growth can begin as soon as meat reaches the temperature of 40° Fahrenheit. Meat dishes that are not consumed or refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking should not be eaten.

Is Chilli better in crockpot or stove? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you're making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.

Is it safe to eat chili that was left out overnight? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

What gives chili a kick? ›

Keep things subtle by soaking dried guajillo chilies in hot water for 30 minutes, pureeing the peppers and adding it to your chili. Or go a little spicier by using sliced fresh jalapenos or serrano peppers. Finally, you can add ground cayenne pepper or canned chipotles in adobo to create a really spicy kick.

What gives chili its kick? ›

Canned tomatoes with green chiles, chili powder, ground black pepper and cayenne all add varying amounts of heat to the chili. If you want to really turn things up, use hot chili powder and the full amount of cayenne pepper. Also, make sure your spices are fresh.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

Though it may be an unusual choice, coffee adds an earthy richness to the existing flavors and plays well with spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Plus, it's a flexible ingredient – while we typically reach for instant espresso powder, you can also add in brewed coffee, making this dish the perfect use for leftovers.

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