RecipeTeacher

  • Home
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Contact
  • Resources
    • RecipeTeacher101
    • Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Quick Guide
    • Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
    • Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
    • Kitchen Essentials
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • RecipeTeacher 101
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Cookbook
    • About
    • RecipeTeacher 101
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Beef Recipes » Best Damn Weeknight Chili

    Best Damn Weeknight Chili

    Last Modified: April 25, 2022

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.6 from 5 reviews

    Here’s a chili recipe that quick to make and loaded with delicious, hearty flavor and ingredients. You don’t have to spend all day prepping or cooking. This simple recipe can be enjoyed in about 30 minutes.

    Recipe for easy weeknight chili

    We all love a good bowl of hearty chili. But chili making can be a complicated process that usually requires a lot of preparation and hours of slow cooking. Not this recipe! We’ll use fresh ground beef and a few pantry ingredients to whip up a whole pot of delicious chili that be easily be enjoyed as a weeknight meal.

    What is Weeknight Chili?

    You’re at the office and text your loved one or family member at 3:00 in the afternoon… “What are we doing for dinner?” Often the reply is “I don’t know, what do you want?”, or “I’ve had a long day and don’t feel like cooking a big meal”. Well, we have everyone taken care of with this super easy chili recipe. There’s no prepping the ingredients or making a huge mess. We’ll use fresh ground beef, some canned beans, and a few special ingredients to make a hearty, delicious chili that’s actually perfect for any night of the week (weekends included).

    Ingredients

    Our weeknight chili will be loaded with fresh ground beef and delicious beans. We’ll use two kinds of canned beans – black beans and red kidney beans. For our base we’ll use some beef broth, 2 cups will do, and a 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes. I like to get the low sodium versions of the beans and tomatoes. The sodium in canned goods can add up quickly, and we’ll get plenty from the broth.

    Now for the fun part – the seasonings. We start simple enough with a couple of tablespoons of chili powder. We’ll punch up the savory flavors with some onion powder and give it some deep smokey notes with smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is such a wonderful ingredient and is perfect for our chili recipe.

    Recipe for easy weeknight chili

    What’s the secret ingredient?

    Now, let’s make it all “next level” with our secret ingredient – coffee. Yep, we’ll add a half cup of brewed coffee to our chili. Don’t worry, it won’t make the chili taste like a weird gourmet coffee. Rather, the coffee works to bring out the deep flavor notes of all the other ingredients. If you still have some coffee in the coffee pot from this morning – perfect! Use that. Finally, we’ll give our chili some vibrance with a little cider vinegar, black pepper, and a 4oz can of green chiles. 

    Preparation

    As mentioned earlier, this chili is meant to be easy. Prep includes draining and rinsing both cans of beans. This is simple enough by dumping them into a mesh strainer and running under a little cold water. Then, in a Dutch oven or medium pot, brown the ground beef. Once it’s browned, drain any fat and add all the other ingredients. Give it a real good stir for a couple of minutes over a medium flame until it comes to a boil. Then, reduce the flame to low and simmer the chili, covered, for about 25 min minutes. Stir occasionally.

    Guess what? You’re done!

    Recipe for stovetop chili
    After you brown the meat, simply add all the remaining ingredients and stir. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes and you’re done!

    Serving

    It’s always a good idea to let the chili cool down a bit before enjoying. If it’s too hot, you won’t taste all the good flavors. Feel free to add some additional goodness with some shredded cheese, sour cream, onions, chives, or any other of your favorite chili toppings.

    Best Damn Weeknight Chili recipe

    Make it Your Own

    Here’s one of the great things about this recipe… you can really customize it however you like. Add some frozen or canned corn, hot peppers, fire roasted red peppers, or any thing else you like. We usually always have these ingredients in the pantry and they keep with the theme of “easy”.

    If you want to add some fresh chopped onions or peppers, best to sauté them first for a few minutes to get them a bit tender before adding to the chili to cook.

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Easy chili recipe

    Best Damn Weeknight Chili


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.6 from 5 reviews

    • Author: RecipeTeacher
    • Total Time: 30 min
    • Yield: 6 servings
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    A hearty and delicious chili recipe that uses all simple ingredients for minimal prep and is ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes.


    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef (85-90% lean)
    • 1 can (14.5oz) black beans (low sodium)
    • 1 can (14.5oz) red kidney beans (low sodium)
    • 1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes (no-salt added)
    • 2 cups beef broth
    • 4oz can of green chiles
    • 2 tbs chili powder
    • 2 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    • ½ cup coffee (brewed)
    • 2tbs cider vinegar
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    1. In a medium pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain fat.
    2. Drain and rinse canned beans and add to pot.
    3. Add diced tomatoes (don’t drain), and all remaining ingredients. Stir well.
    4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20-25 minutes.
    5. Let cool and serve.
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 25 min
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Get the RecipeTeacher cookbook!

    Our new cookbook is available and on sale!

    ---> Buy it here! <---

    Recipe for weeknight chili

    277 shares
    • Facebook38
    • Email

    Comments

      Review & Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Shiela L Baudendistel says

      July 16, 2024 at 5:19 am

      I always follow the recipe as written the first time. Next time I’ll up the spices. This Chili is good but not great. It’s quite bland. It would be good for kids or people who don’t like much spice. On the good side. It’s quick and easy and can be tweaked to your own tastes easily.

      Reply
    2. peggy J stivason says

      July 15, 2024 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Jason , I don’t brew coffee but I make instant regular coffee each morning , How can I modify Brewed coffee for Instant ? Or , would you not recommend ? Thank s Jason

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        July 15, 2024 at 10:36 pm

        I’m sure using a half cup of coffee made from instant coffee will be just fine.

        Reply
        • peggy J stivason says

          August 02, 2024 at 5:19 pm

          Thank you and I did and , It. was Fantastic . We all enjoyed the chili . 🙂

          Reply
    3. Beth says

      July 15, 2024 at 9:06 am

      Fantastic. Thanks Jason. Love your recipes!

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        July 15, 2024 at 9:21 am

        Thanks, Beth!

        Reply
    4. Patti Perko says

      September 28, 2023 at 11:33 am

      I made this today. So very good.
      Thank you Jason!

      Reply
    5. Lynn Johnson says

      September 27, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      I have not made it yet, but just wondering when you say cider vinegar, would apple cider vinegar work.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        September 27, 2023 at 10:36 pm

        Yes indeed cider vinegar is apple cider vinegar.

        Reply
    6. PattiAnn says

      September 27, 2023 at 12:17 pm

      Throw it in the IP for 25 minutes…really melds the flavors together.
      Thanks for the post.

      Reply
    7. Dee F. says

      April 25, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      Are we talking half cup of instant coffee dry or mixed?

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        April 25, 2022 at 7:22 pm

        A half cup of actual brewed coffee.

        Reply
    8. Charles Wilson says

      April 25, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      While your recipe looks good, I have made what I call Wendy’s kind of Chili. that included 1 diced yellow onion, 2 tbsp cumin that is essential for taste. Keep up the great work. Charles

      Reply
    9. Nancy says

      April 25, 2022 at 11:32 am

      This is a great recipe! We don’t drink coffee, so I didn’t add that. Would instant coffee be just as good? I baked 2 large potatoes, split them open and added the chili on top. Dressed them up with shredded cheese, diced onion and sour cream, and they were fabulous! Thanks so much for the recipe!

      Reply
    Jason of Recipeteacher.com

    Hi, I’m Jason and i’m here to help you make easy, delicious homemade recipes. My approach is to provide the easy-to-understand instructions, use simple ingredients, and have you make the best meals possible.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • recipe for air fryer pork chops
      Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops
    • Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin served with broccoli and potatoes
      Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
    • Instant Pot pulled pork recipe
      Best Damn Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot pressure cooker pork tenderloin recipe
      Best Damn Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
    • recipe for air fryer chicken breast
      Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast
    • Instant Pot pork chops recipe
      Best Damn Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops

    Easy Recipes for Everyone!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact & Correspondence

    • Contact
    • How to Leave a Review
    • Welcome to RecipeTeacher!
    • Media Kit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 RecipeTeacher, LLC

    • Pinterest
    • 38Facebook
    • Email
    277 shares