Chili With Corn

Facebook Pinterest X

This hearty chili with corn, hearty beef, and tender beans is full of bold flavors and a touch of sweetness. Every spoonful delivers a comforting flavor you will want again and again.

Chili in a white bowl with cornbread in the background.

Table of Contents

Chili Recipe with Corn and Beans

This Beef Chili recipe is a total crowd-pleaser. It’s even won chili cookoffs multiple times! This chili is always the first to disappear at a potluck. It’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to make thanks to a few shortcut ingredients like canned whole tomatoes, black beans, and frozen corn. With a cooking time of just over an hour, you can whip it up quickly any night of the week.

My favorite part is that this recipe freezes beautifully. I make a double batch and save some for later when I need a comforting dinner in a hurry. Serve it with corn chips, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro, for extra flavor and crunch. Everyone will agree that this chili is full of satisfying goodness.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost

Recipe Cost: $22.36

Per Serving: $3.72

Here is everything you need to make this chili, along with some substitution recommendations.

ingredients for making chili with text overlay

Vegetable oil (2 Tablespoons – $0.07): You can use canola or olive oil.
Ground beef (2 pounds – $11.74): You can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Onions (2 medium – $1.40): The onions add a sweetness to the chili as they caramelize.
Garlic cloves (2 large – $0.14): Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder as an alternative.
Whole tomatoes (28-oz can – $1.96): Diced or crushed tomatoes will also work.
Beef broth (14.5 oz can – $0.82): Use chicken broth for a similar taste.
Spices ($1.86): Creates a warm and slightly spicy flavor to give the chili its signature flavor.
Frozen corn (1 cup – $0.48): Canned sweet corn that has been drained will also work.
Brown sugar (1 teaspoon – $0.01): Use honey as an alternative to help balance the acidity from the tomatoes.
Red & Green bell pepper (1 each – $2.96): You can also use an orange or yellow bell pepper.
Black beans – (15.5 oz – $0.92): Pinto beans or kidney beans are a good substitute for adding hearty protein.

The recipe cost is calculated based on the amounts needed. The pricing for this recipe was updated in October 2025.

How To Make Chili With Corn:

Cook the beef with onions and garlic, add the rest of the ingredients, let it simmer, then season and garnish. Let me show you how.

Heat oil in a large pot. Add beef and cook until browned.
Add onions and garlic. Sauté until softened.
Stir in all remaining ingredients (except salt, pepper, and cayenne).
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. You can serve it with your choice of toppings.

Recipe Tips

I’m sharing my top tips that I’ve discovered through making this chili dozens of times.

If you do not care for beans, you can easily remove them.
You can also add a cup or two of leftover chili to our Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe for Chili Mac!
Do not skip the brown sugar! It helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, making the spices taste smoother.
These corn muffins are delicious with this chili. And super easy to make too!
Our 1-hour French bread is so good served with this ground beef chili recipe. Top it with some sour cream, and you have a delicious meal that will stay within the budget!
Serve it over some hot dogs or baked potatoes.

Recipe Cost 22.36

Serving Cost 3.72

Author Jess Jankowski

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

This hearty chili with corn and beef is packed with bold flavors and a hint of sweetness. It's comfort in every bite.

Servings: 6 people

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Equipment

cutting board
chef's knife
heavy-bottomed pot
Wooden spoon

Ingredients

FOR THE CHILI:

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 medium onions chopped
2 large garlic cloves minced
28 oz can whole tomatoes
14.5 oz can beef broth
5 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon paprika
1 cup frozen corn
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 large red bell pepper chopped
1 large green bell pepper chopped
15.5 oz can black beans rinsed and drained

GARNISHES (optional):

Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

BROWN BEEF:

In a heavy-bottomed pot, add oil and meat and heat over medium heat.
Use the back of a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small chunks.
Continue to cook until the meat is browned.

COOK AROMATICS:

Add onions and sauce, stirring often, until they turn opaque and light brown on the edges, about 4 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

COOK CHILI:

Add the remaining chili ingredients to the pot and increase the heat to medium-high.
Once the mixture comes to a low boil, reduce the heat to simmer and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

TO FINISH:

Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve, passing garnishes separately (optional).

Notes

Storage Tips

SERVE: Leftover chili should be kept at room temperature for at most 2 hours. Refrigerate promptly to prevent bacterial growth.

STORE: For best results, refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 5 days.

FREEZE: To freeze and reheat the chili follow these instructions:

Cool the chili completely.
Transfer to freezer-safe Ziploc bags and freeze for up to 4 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a large saucepan over medium heat until heated.

Nutrition

Love this recipe?Follow @EasyBudgetRecipes or tag #EasyBudgetRecipes!

Chili with Corn and Black Beans Recipe FAQs

What is the best beef for chili?

This recipe is designed to be affordable, using readily available and cost-effective ingredients. Therefore, ground beef is our go-to choice for beef in our chili recipe.

Can I make this chili vegetarian?

Sure. You can replace the beef with extra beans, lentils, or tofu to make the chili vegetarian.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely. I think it actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to meld.

More Main Dish Recipes