Here’s a classic, hearty Chili Con Carne recipe—rich, spicy, and perfect for a cozy meal:
🌶️ Chili Con Carne
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (≈450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1–2 tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 tsp salt, to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, jalapeños
Steps
- Cook the Meat
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Cook the Vegetables
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté 5–7 min until softened.
- Add Spices
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 min to release flavors.
- Add Liquids and Beans
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
- Add kidney and black beans.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–35 min, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Adjust Seasoning & Serve
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder.
- Serve hot with optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
- Cornbread or rice pairs well with this chili.
Tips
- For deeper flavor, simmer chili for 1–2 hours on low heat.
- Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a small square of dark chocolate for extra richness.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
If you want, I can also make a slow-cooker version of Chili Con Carne that cooks all day and develops even more intense flavor with minimal effort.
Do you want me to do that?
