This easy beef and bean chili is a hearty dinner made with ground beef, pinto beans, black beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning.

With just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s an easy recipe to put together when you want a warm and filling meal without a lot of prep work.

Everything cooks together in one pot, making this a great chili recipe for busy weeknights, cooler fall evenings, game days, or anytime you’re craving a simple bowl of homemade chili.

Serve it as-is or add your favorite chili toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers, corn chips, or sliced jalapeños.

Why You’ll Love This Beef and Bean Chili

• Simple ingredients: You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a hearty pot of chili
• Easy to prepare: Brown the beef, add the remaining ingredients, and let everything simmer together.
• Made in one pot: There are fewer dishes to clean when dinner is finished.
• Hearty and filling: Ground beef, pinto beans, and black beans make this a satisfying meal.
• Easy to customize: Add your favorite toppings or use diced tomatoes with green chilies if you want a little extra heat.
• Great for leftovers: The chili can be reheated for an easy lunch or dinner the next day.

Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, undrained
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, undrained
• 1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained (regular or with green chilies)
• 2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (1.25 oz.) package chili seasoning
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

How to Make Beef and Bean Chili

Brown the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to a large pot and cook over medium heat until the beef is browned and completely cooked through.

Break the meat apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.

Add the Tomato Sauce and Seasoning

Pour the tomato sauce into the pot with the cooked ground beef.

Add the chili seasoning and black pepper and stir well so that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the beef and tomato sauce.

Add the Beans

Pour the pinto beans and black beans directly into the pot. There is no need to drain or rinse the beans for this recipe.

Stir well to combine.

Add the Diced Tomatoes

Pour in the diced tomatoes along with the juices from the can.

Stir everything together until well combined.

Simmer the Chili

Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer uncovered for about 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

As the chili simmers, the ingredients will heat through and the chili will begin to thicken.

Taste the chili after it has simmered and add salt only if needed.

Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

What to Serve with Beef and Bean Chili

There are plenty of ways to serve this beef and bean chili depending on what you have on hand.

Serve a warm bowl of chili with a side of cornbread for an easy, hearty meal. You can also spoon the chili over rice to make it even more filling.

For toppings, add shredded cheddar cheese and a spoonful of sour cream. You can also serve it with crackers, corn chips, tortilla chips, sliced jalapeños, or green onions.

Set out several toppings at the table so everyone can make their bowl just the way they like it.

Want to Add a Little Heat?

You can make this chili with regular diced tomatoes or use diced tomatoes with green chilies for a little extra flavor and heat. I used diced tomatoes with green chilies when making this batch, but either option works well.

If you want even more heat, add sliced jalapeños or a little hot sauce when serving.

Optional Add-Ins

The basic ingredients are all you need to make this chili, but you can customize it if you’d like.

Try adding diced onion or minced garlic when browning the ground beef. You could also add extra chili powder, cumin, or cayenne pepper if you prefer a stronger or spicier chili flavor.

How to Store Leftover Chili

Allow leftover chili to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm larger portions in a saucepan on the stovetop.

If the chili becomes thicker after being refrigerated, you can stir in a small amount of water or tomato sauce while reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to drain the beans?

No. The pinto beans and black beans are added to this chili without draining or rinsing them. The liquid from the cans becomes part of the chili as everything simmers together.

Can I use tomatoes with green chilies?

Yes. Diced tomatoes with green chilies are an easy substitute for regular diced tomatoes if you want to give the chili a little more heat.

How long should chili simmer?

After all of the ingredients have been added, let the chili simmer uncovered for about 20–30 minutes. Stir it occasionally as it cooks.

Can I make this chili ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the chili ahead of time, refrigerate it, and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.

What toppings are good on beef and bean chili?

Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, crackers, tortilla chips, and corn chips are all easy options for topping a bowl of chili.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

If you’re looking for another hearty dinner made with ground beef and beans, try this Pinto Bean Casserole. It’s an easy, filling meal made with ground beef, pinto beans, cheese, and simple ingredients.