Sizzling Homestyle Chili Con Carne Recipe: Pure Comfort in a Bowl

Spicy aromas of authentic chili con carne waft through my kitchen, promising a hearty meal that comforts and excites.

Memories of Texas cookouts inspire this classic dish packed with robust flavors.

Tender beef chunks simmer alongside rich tomatoes and smoky spices, creating a symphony of taste.

Beans add depth and texture to this beloved recipe that crosses cultural boundaries.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building complex, layered sensations.

Gathering around the table, you’ll savor every delicious bite of this timeless comfort food.

One spoonful promises to transport you straight to culinary bliss.

What Makes Chili Con Carne So Classic

• Savor Bold Flavors: Packed with robust spices like chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering punch that will wake up your taste buds.
• Master One-Pot Cooking: Prepare everything in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and making the cooking process super straightforward for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping beans, or adding extra toppings to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Feed a Hungry Crowd: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family dinners, this hearty chili serves multiple people and satisfies big appetites with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Chili Con Carne

• Ground Beef: The hearty base of the chili that provides rich, meaty flavor and substantial texture.

• Onions, Garlic: These classic ingredients build a deep, savory foundation for the chili.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: A robust spice blend that creates complex, warming flavor and adds depth to the dish.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and intensifies the tomato flavor in the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright, tangy notes to the recipe.
• Kidney Beans: Provides additional protein, texture, and earthy flavor.
• Beef Broth, Beer: Liquid components that help create a rich, simmering sauce.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Onions: Garnishes that add creaminess, sharpness, and fresh flavor.
• Corn Chips, Cornbread: Serving suggestions that complement the chili's hearty profile.

How to Make Chili Con Carne

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large pot over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it’s completely done.

Remove any extra grease from the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Add the chopped onions and crushed garlic to the pot.

Cook until the onions become soft and slightly transparent, releasing their delicious flavors.

Step 3: Bloom the Spices

• Tomato paste
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper

Cook these spices for a couple of minutes to enhance their rich, deep flavors.

Step 4: Create the Chili Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Kidney beans
• Beef broth

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat.

Let the chili simmer gently for about three-quarters of an hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Taste and Perfect

Sample the chili and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Add more salt, pepper, or spices if needed.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot chili into bowls.

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions

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

Pro Tips for Chili Con Carne

• Swap half the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or finely chopped mushrooms for a lighter, more veggie-friendly version.
• Adjust cayenne and chili powder levels to match your heat tolerance, adding gradually to prevent overwhelming spiciness.
• Transfer ingredients after browning beef to a slow cooker and simmer on low for 6-8 hours for deeper, richer flavor development.
• Replace kidney beans with black beans or pinto beans if preferred, maintaining similar texture and protein content.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a small square of dark chocolate during simmering to enhance depth and complexity of the chili's flavor profile.

Variations on Chili Con Carne

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or a mix of black beans, lentils, and diced mushrooms for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Turkey Chili Lean Option: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a lower-fat alternative that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat and sautéing onions, then cook on low for 6-8 hours for deeper flavor development.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking spices and broth labels, and serve with gluten-free corn chips or rice.

Serving Suggestions for Chili Con Carne

• Hearty Dinner Companion: Pair this chili with fluffy cornbread or crispy corn chips for a satisfying meal that fills your plate and warms your soul.
• Toppings Galore: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, dollop sour cream, and scatter chopped green onions for a burst of flavor and texture that takes your chili to the next level.
• Movie Night Feast: Serve in deep bowls during a cozy movie marathon, perfect for sharing with friends while watching your favorite films and enjoying comfort food.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Set up a chili bar with various toppings like jalapeños, diced red onions, and crushed tortilla chips, letting guests customize their own bowls during sports gatherings.

Best Storage for Chili Con Carne

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 4-6 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power. Stir every 30 seconds until thoroughly heated to 165°F, preventing cold spots.
• Pour chili into a saucepan, add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through and steaming.

FAQs

• Is chili con carne spicy?

The heat level depends on the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper you use. You can control the spiciness by adjusting these spices to your personal preference.

• Can I make this recipe without beef?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version.

• What type of beans work best in chili?

Kidney beans are traditional, but you can also use black beans, pinto beans, or a mix of different beans depending on your taste.

• How can I thicken my chili if it's too watery?

Let it simmer uncovered to reduce liquid, or mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the chili to help thicken the consistency.

Chili Con Carne Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican classic chili con carne brings bold spices and rich beef together in a soul-warming stew. Simmered slowly with kidney beans and robust seasonings, this dish promises comfort and satisfaction for hungry diners craving authentic southwestern flavors.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 2 medium onions, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes

Beans and Liquid:

• 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups 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)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Serving Options:

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

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef, ensuring complete cooking and removing any excess rendered fat.
2. Incorporate finely chopped onions and crushed garlic into the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
3. Introduce tomato paste and aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper, allowing the spices to develop their rich flavors for approximately 2 minutes.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and liquid component (beef broth or beer), mixing ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious base.
5. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, allowing the chili to gently simmer for 45 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching and ensure even flavor distribution.
6. Carefully evaluate the seasoning profile, making subtle adjustments to enhance the overall taste complexity.
7. Present the chili piping hot, garnishing with sharp cheddar cheese, creamy sour cream, and freshly chopped green onions, accompanied by crisp corn chips or traditional cornbread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Adjust the chili powder and cayenne pepper to control heat intensity, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
• Experiment with different beans like black beans or pinto beans for unique texture and nutritional diversity.
• The chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld and intensify, making it perfect for meal prep and batch cooking.
• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 363 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 760 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg