5-Ingredient Chili: Ultimate Easy 25-Minute Comfort

5-Ingredient Chili is the kind of recipe that saves dinner when time runs short but cravings run strong. This 5-Ingredient Chili uses lean ground beef, tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili beans, and chili powder to create bold, comforting flavor in just 25 minutes. You only need one skillet and a handful of pantry staples. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this simple chili recipe delivers thick texture, satisfying protein, and warm spice without complicated steps.

Today, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make simple chili with 5 ingredients, how to adjust the heat level, how it compares to Cincinnati 5-way chili, and how to serve it in creative ways.

The Story Behind My 5-Ingredient Chili

How This 5-Ingredient Chili Became My Weeknight Hero

I created this 5-Ingredient Chili on a night when I had almost nothing planned for dinner. I opened my pantry and saw canned beans and tomato sauce. I had ground beef in the fridge. Instead of overthinking the meal, I kept it simple.

I browned the beef, added the beans and sauce, stirred in chili powder, and let everything simmer.

The smell alone told me I was onto something good. The beef gave it richness. The beans thickened the base. The chili powder warmed the entire kitchen.

Since then, this 5-Ingredient Chili has become my dependable dinner solution. It feels hearty but not heavy. It tastes rich but not complicated. And best of all, it takes only 25 minutes from start to finish.

If you enjoy filling, protein-rich meals like this, you might also love my collection of high-protein soup recipes that focus on simple, nourishing ingredients.

From Marrakesh to San Diego: My Cooking Philosophy

My name is Samiya El Khoury. I was born in Marrakesh, Morocco, and now live in San Diego, California. I grew up in my grandmother’s kitchen, surrounded by cumin, saffron, and cinnamon. She taught me that cooking should come from the heart.

When I moved to the United States, I carried those lessons with me. I began blending Moroccan warmth with California freshness. Some dishes became bold experiments. Others stayed beautifully simple.

This 5-Ingredient Chili represents that simplicity. It proves you don’t need a long ingredient list to create comfort and depth.

If you enjoy bold but approachable flavors, my Mexican soup recipes bring similar warmth using everyday pantry staples.

5-Ingredient Chili Ingredients & Why They Work

The Essential 5 Ingredients

Here’s exactly what you need:

Salt and freshly ground black pepper round everything out.

If you want to understand how chili powder blends create flavor complexity, this detailed breakdown from The Spice House’s chili powder guide explains how different dried peppers affect heat and smokiness.

Smart Swaps for Flexibility

You can adjust this 5-Ingredient Chili easily:

• Use ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Swap black beans for kidney beans.
• Add cumin for extra warmth.
• Add smoked paprika for depth.
• Use low-sodium canned beans to control salt.

For safe beef handling and recommended internal temperatures, refer to the USDA ground beef safety guidelines.

If you enjoy hearty bean-based comfort meals, my navy bean soup recipe delivers similar cozy flavor using pantry ingredients.

How to Make Simple Chili – 5-Ingredient Tutorial

Step 1: Brown the Beef Properly

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and crumbly.

Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2: Build the Chili Base

Add:

• 1 can kidney beans (drained)
• 1 can chili beans (not drained)
• 1 can tomato sauce

Stir well and bring everything to a gentle boil.

Step 3: Add Spice and Simmer

Stir in 2 tablespoons chili powder. Reduce heat and let the 5-Ingredient Chili simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until thickened.

Taste before adding salt. Canned products already contain sodium.

Beans provide fiber, protein, and nutrients. According to Harvard’s Nutrition Source on beans, beans support heart health and digestive balance.

If you love quick, comforting meals like this, you may also enjoy:

• Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
• Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
• Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
• Old-Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

Each recipe delivers hearty texture with simple preparation.

Serving Ideas & Cincinnati 5-Way Chili Explained

Creative Ways to Serve 5-Ingredient Chili

You can serve 5-Ingredient Chili in many ways:

• Top with shredded cheddar
• Add sour cream
• Sprinkle green onions
• Serve with cornbread
• Spoon over baked potatoes
• Serve over rice
• Use as taco filling
• Layer over tortilla chips for chili nachos

You can even pair it with comfort-style sides inspired by my cozy Mexican soup recipes collection.

What Are the Ingredients in Cincinnati 5-Way Chili?

Cincinnati 5-way chili includes:

1. Spaghetti
2. Chili
3. Shredded cheddar cheese
4. Kidney beans
5. Chopped onions

Traditional Cincinnati chili often includes cinnamon and cocoa powder. It has a thinner consistency than this thick 5-Ingredient Chili.

You can easily turn this recipe into a Cincinnati-style bowl by serving it over spaghetti and layering cheese, beans, and onions on top.

FAQs

Conclusion

This 5-Ingredient Chili proves that simple ingredients create powerful comfort. It cooks in 25 minutes, feeds six people, and adapts easily to your taste preferences. You can keep it classic, turn it into Cincinnati 5-way chili, or add your own creative twist.

Food should feel welcoming, not overwhelming. Start simple. Taste as you go. Cook boldly.

You’re always invited to my kitchen.

Samiya El Khoury

5-Ingredient Chili

This 5-Ingredient Chili is a quick and hearty dinner made with ground beef, beans, tomato sauce, and chili powder. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and easy to customize to your preferred spice level.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 368

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
• 1 15-ounce can chili beans, not drained
• 2 tablespoons chili powder (or to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

• large skillet
• wooden spoon or spatula
• colander For draining kidney beans.
• can opener

Method

 

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, for 5–7 minutes until browned and crumbly.
3. Drain excess grease if needed.
4. Stir in the kidney beans, chili beans (with liquid), and tomato sauce.
5. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
6. Add chili powder and stir well to combine.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
8. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 33gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 1299mgFiber: 10gSugar: 10g

Notes

Canned beans and tomato sauce contain varying amounts of salt. Always taste before adding extra salt.

Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the chili powder.

This chili stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!