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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and crushed garlic into the meat-filled pot, gently sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, kidney beans, concentrated tomato paste, and a liquid base of rich beef broth or robust beer into the developing mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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