Description
Hearty chili con carne simmers with robust spices and tender ground beef, promising a comforting meal that warms from the inside out. Packed with rich flavors and simple ingredients, this classic dish invites you to savor each spoonful of homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
Base Ingredients:
- 1 can kidney beans
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup water or broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a substantial pot over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling base for the chili.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce ground beef to the pot, methodically crumbling the meat and allowing it to brown thoroughly, developing rich caramelized flavors.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper across the meat, stirring vigorously to distribute spices and enhance the overall taste profile.
- Gently fold in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and liquid broth, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated and evenly distributed.
- Elevate heat momentarily to trigger a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer for approximately 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Periodically stir the chili, preventing ingredient settlement and promoting uniform cooking throughout the pot.
- Taste and calibrate seasonings, adding additional spices if needed to achieve desired depth and complexity.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with preferred toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro for a personalized finishing touch.
Notes
- Boost meat flavor by using a blend of ground beef and ground pork for richer taste and texture.
- Enhance spice complexity by toasting chili powder and cumin in dry pan before adding to recipe, releasing deeper, more robust aromatics.
- Make recipe gluten-free by ensuring broth is certified gluten-free and checking all spice blend ingredients.
- Create vegetarian version by replacing ground meat with plant-based crumbles or extra beans like black and pinto for protein diversity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg