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Your search for the best pork chili recipe stops here! With just the right amount of zesty seasoning, ground pork, and ground sausage, this simple and easy meal is thick, rich, and incredibly flavorful. Serve it with a side of cornbread for the ultimate family-friendly dinner!
Table of Contents
Chili is one of our family’s favorite meals, so I’ve certainly tried many, many versions over the years. From white chicken chili to Texas chili and classic ground beef chili, we generally love them all. I’m happy to report, however, that this pork chili is one of the best we’ve ever had! Here’s why you’ll love the simple dish:
- Flavor: it’s got just the right balance of zesty chili seasoning to give it the flavor that you’re looking for — without any single spice overpowering another.
- Thickness: no watery chili allowed! This hearty, rich chili is loaded with meat and beans for a satisfying meal. After all, chili is not a soup, so it shouldn’t be thinned with too much broth.
- Easy: the dish comes together quickly and easily on the stovetop with minimal effort. You don’t need all day to cook it in a Crock Pot, and you don’t need any fancy equipment like an Instant Pot. Just grab a good ole’ Dutch oven and whip up a batch in no time.
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly: this meal just gets better as it sits and the flavors come together, so you can simmer a pot on the weekend and enjoy a warm, homemade meal on your busiest weeknights. Leftovers keep well in the freezer, too!
What is a true chili?
This ground pork chili recipe is about as classic as it gets! Also called chili con carne (or “chili with meat”), a true chili is a spicy stew containing chili peppers or chili powder, meat, and often tomatoes and beans. You’ve got each of those components here, for maximum flavor with minimal effort!
Is chili meat beef or pork?
While beef is most traditional, chili can be made with just about any meat. For instance, chicken chili, turkey chili, and pork chili are all delicious! Use whichever you prefer, whatever you have on hand, or a combination of more than one meat.
What to Add to Boring Chili
This particular recipe is so good, thanks to a handful of special additions that give the dish an extra boost of flavor. Most notably, the barbecue sauce and molasses provide rich, smoky flavor, as well as a touch of sweetness. The pork sausage also makes the chili less boring!
Ingredients for Chili with Pork
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for our favorite pork chili recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Ground pork: this ground meat has so much great flavor, and is a nice alternative to ground beef or ground turkey. Of course, you can sub with beef, turkey, or ground chicken if you prefer.
- Ground pork sausage: a roll of bulk pork sausage adds so much great flavor to this chili!
- Onion and garlic: for savory flavor.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: to enhance the other ingredients in the dish.
- Pinto beans and kidney beans: you can really use just about any beans that you like in this chili. For instance, use only pinto beans, only kidney beans, or sub with black beans, pink beans, red beans, or even garbanzo beans.
- Corn: I use a can of drained corn, but frozen corn or fresh corn cut off the cob would also work. You can also substitute with an extra can of beans if you don’t want to use the corn at all.
- Chicken broth: just enough to loosen up the dish and add a bit of flavor.
- Canned stewed tomatoes: or sub with canned diced tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes (that you break up with a spoon or with your hands).
- Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies: I use Rotel brand here, but any similar variety will work. Pick the mild version if you want to control the heat in your chili.
- Chili seasoning mix: a packet of chili seasoning is a convenient way to add a great variety of spices to your pot. If you prefer to use your own seasonings (rather than a packet), see my notes below.
- Barbecue sauce and molasses: both of these “secret” ingredients add rich, smoky, sweet depth of flavor.
- Brown sugar: for a little bit more sweetness. You can omit this ingredient if you prefer a less-sweet pot of chili.
How to Make Chili with Ground Pork
Chili with pork has such a delicious, great flavor, and is a nice alternative to more traditional beef, turkey, or chicken versions. The detailed directions are included in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick overview:
- Brown the meat, onion, garlic, and salt. Drain off the grease.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Bring to a boil, and then simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls, and garnish with your favorite toppings.
How to Thicken Chili
This pork chili recipe has a rich, thick consistency. If you prefer it even thicker, you can simmer the pot on the stovetop with the lid off for even longer. That’s why I love a Dutch oven on the stove top more than a slow cooker — the stovetop method just gives you more control over the cooking process and helps you achieve the perfect pot of chili!
If you want to thin the chili, either cover the pot with a lid while it simmers, or add extra broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Create a “chili bar” by setting out a variety of toppings and sides, and then let your family members or guests design their own chili bowls.
Favorite Chili Toppings
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Sliced green onion, minced red onion, quick pickled red onion, or minced white onion
- Sliced fresh jalapeño pepper
- Fresh cilantro, parsley, or chives
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Diced avocado
Sides to Serve with Pork Chili
- Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, 4-Ingredient Butter Swim Biscuits, 7UP Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Pumpkin Spice Biscuits, Cheddar Biscuits with Bacon and Chives, Angel Biscuits, or Drop Biscuits
- Cast Iron Cornbread, Sour Cream Cornbread, Fluffy Bakery-Style Corn Muffins, Southern Cornbread, Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn, Sweet Cornbread, Broccoli Cornbread, Pumpkin Cornbread, Cake Mix Cornbread, Skillet Cornbread, Corn Sticks, or Honey Butter Cornbread
- Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Muffins, or 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread, Jalapeño Cheddar Bread, Beer Bread, or Cheddar Chive Beer Bread
- Fritos or other corn chips
- Saltine crackers
- Easy Homemade Guacamole with tortilla chips and salsa
Preparation and Storage Tips
- How to Store: Leftover chili will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- How to Freeze: Allow the chili to cool to room temperature. Package in airtight containers or Ziploc freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- How to Reheat: Thaw frozen chili in the fridge overnight. Place chili in a saucepan. Cover and warm over low heat, just until heated through. If it seems too thick, thin the chili with a splash of broth or water. You can also reheat individual portions covered in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of a packet of chili seasoning mix, use your own spices to make your own seasoning blend. Start with 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder, 2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Taste the chili as it simmers and adjust the seasonings to suit your preferences.
- Substitute ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken for the ground pork.
- Use beef broth instead of chicken broth.
- Instead of the stewed tomatoes, use canned diced tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes (that you break up with your hands or with a wooden spoon).
- Swap out the corn and add an extra can of beans.
- Add beer: replace some of the broth with your favorite beer for a yeasty, rich flavor.
- For more veggies, add diced sweet bell pepper to the pot when you add the onion.
- Crock Pot Pork Chili: brown the meat, onion, and garlic as instructed in a skillet. Drain off the fat, then transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- For a spicy pot of pork chili, add cayenne pepper, choose hot sausage, pick a spicy chili seasoning mix, or use regular or spicy Rotel (instead of mild).
Tips for the Best Pork Chili Recipe
- If you want your chili even thicker, simmer the pot on the stovetop with the lid off for even longer. If you want to thin the chili, either cover the pot with a lid while it simmers, or add extra broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir the pot occasionally as the chili simmers to prevent the bottom from scorching.
- If you have the time, prepare this chili at least one day in advance. The flavors will come together and the chili will taste even better on day 2!
More Chili Recipes to Try
Pumpkin Chili {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Easy White Bean Chicken Chili (Stovetop)
1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Slow Cooker Chili
6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out this collection of the 10 best chili recipes!
Easy Pork Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 1 lb. ground pork sausage
- 1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups total)
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, not drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel brand), not drained
- 1 (1.3 ounce) packet chili seasoning mix (such as mild McCormick brand)
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional, for serving: cornbread; corn chips; cheese; sour cream; sliced green onions/chives; cilantro; avocado; diced red onion
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sauté ground pork, sausage, onion, garlic, and salt until the meat is no longer pink. Use a wooden spoon to break up the pork and sausage as it cooks. Drain off the excess grease.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the chili uncovered over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with additional salt and ground black pepper, if desired.
- Ladle into individual serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings.
Notes
- Instead of a packet of chili seasoning mix, use your own spices to make your own seasoning blend. Start with 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder, 2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Taste the chili as it simmers and adjust the seasonings to suit your preferences.
- Substitute ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken for the ground pork.
- Use beef broth instead of chicken broth.
- Instead of the stewed tomatoes, use canned diced tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes (that you break up with your hands or with a wooden spoon).
- Swap out the corn and add an extra can of beans.
- Add beer: replace some of the broth with your favorite beer for a yeasty, rich flavor.
- For more veggies, add diced sweet bell pepper to the pot when you add the onion.
- Crock Pot pork chili: brown the meat, onion, and garlic as instructed in a skillet. Drain off the fat, then transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- For a spicy pot of pork chili, add cayenne pepper, choose hot sausage, pick a spicy chili seasoning mix, or use regular or spicy Rotel (instead of mild).
I made this for one of my Christmas meals and I cooked this in my Dutch oven, and my family absolutely loved it ! The pot was cleaned lol!
I’ve made Chilli different ways before but this recipe right here is the best yet so far! The flavor is out of this world and it’s very easy to make.
I’m making this again for New Year’s and it’s sure a crowd pleaser ❤️
It’s phenomenal ✨️ ❤️
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that, Gina. It’s one of my personal favorites, too. Happy New Year!