World’s Best Chili Recipe (aka Bill’s Chili)

1/19/17

The World’s Best Chili Recipe ever can be found right here. This beef chili is fully loaded with both ground beef and stew beef, plus bacon and plenty of “secret spices”. Plus it makes enough to feed a crowd. Let it simmer all day on the stove, or get it ready and keep it warm in a crockpot for a tailgate party. Then get ready to enjoy a bowl of comfort food because your new family favorite homemade chili will be what we know as Bill’s Chili.

Disclaimer: I’m partnering with Tuttorosso to bring you this updated recipe. As always, all opinions are my own.

Originally published on May 16, 2012. Updated on January 19, 2016.

Years ago I was part of a Facebook group where the main question everyday was “WFD?”, or “What’s for dinner?” It was a great camaraderie amongst moms trying to feed their families. Each of us had our days where we were making a fabulous healthy meal, like Jambalaya Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. I think we all had a bit of a tendency to pat ourselves on the back a little for those “good days”. And we were definitely excited to elicit virtual pats on the pack from fellow group members.

At times, though, everyone had days of takeout, drive-throughs, or chicken nuggets. Basically, when life gets crazy, you gotta do what you gotta do, and just get the family fed. And on those days we all supported each other, chiming in with words of encouragement, like “it was a rough day, it’s all good” or “cereal for dinner happens sometimes”. But it was always fun to share me ideas and menus and recipes, and to get some from other people.

One of the best things to come out of being part of this group is discovering Bill’s Chili.  I have no idea who Bill is, other than that he is someone that one of the group members knew, but I can tell you one thing – I will be making his amazing chili for the rest of my life.

This recipe truly is, at least in mine and many others’ opinions, the World’s Best Chili.

How to Make Chili

I suppose you could call this a basic chili, but really, it’s so much more. It’s simple and hearty, but by combining flavorful ingredients and letting them simmer as long as possible, all of those flavors truly develop and blend together and it makes a ton so you can feed a crowd, or just have it for dinner one night and freeze the rest. There is always the debate of whether you use just ground beef, just stew beef cubes, or a combination of both. This recipe uses both to get the depth of flavor and the different textures. Plus there is bacon for that salty, smoky goodness.

The bigger debate with chili is beans or no beans. This is a chili with beans, but leave them out or swap kidney beans for black beans, if you like. It’ll still be delicious. The beans are definitely an inexpensive option to be able to feed more people with this one recipe.

This recipe makes a ton. Whether you are having leftovers the next day or pulling the extra chili out of the freezer, it reheats well, and in fact might taste even better the second time around.

How do you make the World’s Best Chili?

• In a large Dutch oven, saute the two kinds of beef and bacon with onions, pepper, and garlic.
• Add the seasoning, including chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and a few more items.
• Then pour in the tomatoes and tomato paste, water, and green chiles.
• Finally you’ll just let it simmer as long as possible.
• You can even toss it in the crockpot, which is especially helpful for a party. In that case, I’d recommend starting with about half the water and add more if needed.

What do you serve with the World’s Best Chili?

• I always have shredded cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt on hand for topping the chili, though some people also like raw chopped onion.
• Whether you want to scoop it up or crumble some on top, tortilla chips go well with this chili recipe. Buy a bad or make your own Baked Tortilla Chips with flour or corn tortillas.
• Instead of chips, you can also choose corn bread like this Apple Butter Gluten Free Cornbread or even some Hushpuppies.
• Need some veggies? Try some Basic Roasted Cauliflower or Basic Roasted Butternut Squash since the chili already has so much flavor. You could also go with a slaw, like Maple Dijon Apple Cole Slaw.
• Another option is to toss a simple salad and set out Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing or Creamy Greek Yogurt Maple Dijon Salad Dressing.

Is chili gluten free?

This and all of the chili recipes on my site are gluten free. A few things to look out for when looking for in the recipe are whether it contains flour to thicken it, if beer is added, or if the recipe uses a powdered chili seasoning mix that might not be gluten free. However, there are plenty of options for there to find your favorite gluten free chili recipe.

Of course I always use my favorite brand, Tuttorosso, for the whole tomatoes and tomato paste in this homemade chili. Tuttorosso is not only my favorite, it’s the best-selling Italian inspired canned tomato product in America. When you cook with Tuttorosso whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or any of their other products, you can taste the difference, and this amazing flavor and freshness is then locked in with special non-BPA can liners.

You can use the Store Locator to find Tuttorosso near you, or their products can also show up on your doorstep if you purchase from Amazon. Learn more and get recipe ideas and inspiration by following Tuttorosso on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Don’t have time or need quite this much? Here are some crockpot chili and quick chili recipes you can make in about 30 minutes…

• Quick and Easy Chipotle Turkey Chili
• Slow Cooker Aloha Chili
• Cauliflower and Quinoa Vegan White Chili
• Pineapple Black Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
• You can also check out these 30+ Chili Recipes!

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Bill’s Chili {aka the World’s Best Chili Recipe}

Loaded with beef, bacon, and more, this spicy comfort food is truly the best chili ever. It’s my go-to for feeding a crowd or if I want to stock up my freezer with leftovers. Once you make it, you’ll never make another.

I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on Pinterest!

Print Recipe

4.75 from 20 votes

Bill's Chili (The World's Best Chili Recipe)

This truly is the World's Best Chili, and it's perfect for feeding a crowd.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time2 hrs 20 mins

Total Time2 hrs 35 mins

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili, easy, gluten free, world's best chili

Servings: 12

Calories: 420kcal

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 lb stew beef, cut into about one inch chunks
• 1/4 lb bacon, diced in small pieces
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic from a jar)
• 2 Tablespoons chili powder, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1/2 Tablespoon crushed red pepper
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons cumin
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4.5 oz chopped green chilies
• 28 oz whole canned tomatoes (I used Tuttorosso Peeled Plum Tomatoes)
• 12 oz Tomato Paste (I used two 6 oz cans Tuttorosso Tomato Paste)
• 48 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups water (add more if needed)

Optional Toppings:

• shredded cheese
• sour cream
• diced onion
• tortilla chips

Instructions

• Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the meats, pepper, and onion, and cook until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain any collected grease and liquid, if desired.
• Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
• Stir in the chili powder, dried mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Add the chilies, tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, and about two cups of water, and simmer on low for at least 2 hours, or put into a crockpot on low for at least 4 hours. Add additional water, as needed to achieve desired consistency.
• Serve with desired optional toppings.

Notes

This chili freezes well, or can be made the day before and reheated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 895mg | Potassium: 1384mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1280IU | Vitamin C: 23.9mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 8.8mg

Enjoy!