Hearty Homemade Chili Con Carne Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Spicy aromas from this classic chili con carne recipe will instantly awaken your senses and transport you to a cozy kitchen.

Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that comfort and excite.

Beef simmers gently with robust spices, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Mexican-inspired seasonings infuse each bite with deep, complex tastes you’ll absolutely love.

Chunky tomatoes and tender meat blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Rich and satisfying, this recipe offers a perfect balance of heat and depth that will make your taste buds sing.

Chili Con Carne With Deep Savory Spice

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this hearty chili in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Kids and adults will love the rich, bold taste that's not too spicy but packed with delicious ingredients everyone enjoys.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add extra toppings to make this recipe uniquely yours, transforming a classic dish to suit any preference.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Economical ingredients like ground beef, beans, and pantry spices create a filling meal that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.

Main Elements In Chili Con Carne

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source with ideal fat content for deep flavor, choose 80/20 blend for juiciness.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create depth and savory base for the chili.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Provide acidity, texture, and concentrated tomato flavor for robust sauce.

• Kidney Beans: Classic chili bean that adds hearty texture and plant-based protein.

• Beef Broth, Beer: Adds moisture and additional flavor complexity, beer provides deeper taste profile.

• Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano: Core spice mixture creating authentic chili flavor and warmth.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste, cayenne adds optional heat.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Chopped Green Onions, Corn Chips, Cornbread: Provide texture, coolness, and complementary flavors to finish the dish.

Making Chili Con Carne

Step 1: Brown Beef

Heat a large pot over medium flame.

Add ground beef and cook until it turns golden brown, breaking it into small crumbles.

Drain away any excess fat from the meat to keep the chili lean and delicious.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot with the beef.

Sauté until the onions become translucent and soft, releasing their aromatic sweetness throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Build Chili Layers

• Diced tomatoes
• Kidney beans
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth

Stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.

Step 4: Infuse Spices

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper

Mix thoroughly to distribute the spices throughout the chili.

Step 5: Slow Cook

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low.

Allow the chili to simmer gently, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Dollop of sour cream
• Chopped green onions

Serve alongside warm corn chips or freshly baked cornbread for a complete meal.

Chili Con Carne Smart Tips

• Use high-heat settings to create a delicious caramelized crust on ground beef, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Rinse kidney beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and prevent digestive discomfort while maintaining authentic chili texture.
• Adjust cayenne and chili powder gradually to control heat level, allowing customization for different spice tolerances.
• Let chili develop deeper flavors by cooking slowly on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even taste distribution.
• For thicker consistency, mash some beans or add a small amount of cornmeal during simmering to create a heartier chili.

Chili Con Carne Reheats Smoothly With This Tip

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chili stays good for up to 4 months.
• Warm chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture if needed.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated to 165°F.

What Goes with Chili Con Carne

• Pair with Bold Red Wines: Robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel complement the hearty, spicy chili's rich flavors and cut through its meaty intensity.
• Craft Beer Companion: Mexican lagers like Modelo or hoppy IPAs balance the chili's warmth and provide a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the dish's bold spices.
• Cornbread Side Kick: Serve with slightly sweet, buttery cornbread to absorb the chili's robust sauce and provide a comforting texture contrast.
• Fresh Herb Topping: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top to add brightness and a light, zesty note that lifts the chili's deep, meaty profile.

Crockpot Chili Adjustments

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based alternatives like textured vegetable protein, lentils, or black beans for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Chili: Swap kidney beans with cauliflower or zucchini chunks to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining hearty texture.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef and sautéing vegetables, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for deeper flavor development.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Chili: Add diced jalapeños, increase cayenne pepper, and include a splash of tequila for an authentic southwestern kick.

FAQs

• Is chili con carne spicy?

The heat level depends on the amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder you add. Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preference.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or extra beans like black beans or pinto beans for a meat-free version.

• What type of beef works best?

Ground chuck or ground sirloin with 80/20 fat content provides the most flavor and tenderness for chili con carne.

• How do I prevent my chili from being watery?

Brown the beef completely, drain excess fat, and let the chili simmer uncovered to help reduce liquid and concentrate flavors.

Chili Con Carne Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Chili Con Carne brings robust Southwestern flavors to your dinner table with a perfect blend of ground beef, beans, and spices. Simmered to perfection, this classic Mexican-inspired dish offers comfort and warmth in every satisfying spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) ground beef (80/20)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 medium onions, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Tomato and Bean Base:

• 2 cans (14.5 oz or 411 grams each) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz or 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Liquid Components:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth or 1 bottle of beer

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Serving Suggestions:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions
• Corn chips or cornbread

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Instructions

1. Heat a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame and thoroughly brown the ground beef, ensuring complete separation and rendering of excess fat through careful draining.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and crushed garlic into the meat-filled pot, gently sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
3. Incorporate diced tomatoes, kidney beans, concentrated tomato paste, and a liquid base of rich beef broth or robust beer into the developing mixture.
4. Elevate the flavor profile by generously sprinkling chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, seasoning salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a whisper of cayenne for subtle heat.
5. Accelerate cooking temperature to trigger initial boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle, controlled simmer that allows flavors to meld and concentrate over approximately half an hour, periodically stirring to prevent potential scorching.
6. Upon reaching desired consistency and depth of flavor, transfer the hearty chili into serving bowls, creating an inviting presentation with a lavish garnish of sharp cheddar cheese, cool sour cream, and delicately sliced green onions.
7. Complement the dish with crisp corn chips or freshly baked cornbread for an authentic, satisfying meal experience.

Notes

• Select a high-fat ground beef like 80/20 for richer flavor and more tender texture.
• Drain most fat but keep a small amount for added depth and richness in the chili.
• Enhance umami by adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a small square of dark chocolate during seasoning.
• Consider alternative protein options like ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or black beans for dietary variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg