Description
Hearty chili con carne brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables across North America. Robust beef, aromatic spices, and rich tomato sauce combine in a soul-warming dish you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Spices and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Warm a generously-sized cooking vessel over medium heat, introducing olive oil to create a fragrant base.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they transform into a translucent, aromatic foundation.
- Introduce ground beef to the pot, methodically crumbling and browning the meat while ensuring even cooking.
- Incorporate diced bell peppers, allowing them to soften and meld with the meat for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle a harmonious blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, toasting the spices to intensify their robust flavors.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and rich beef broth, stirring to create a cohesive, vibrant mixture.
- Elevate the temperature until the contents reach a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Taste and recalibrate seasonings as needed, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Ladle the hearty chili into serving bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese, dollops of sour cream, or fresh cilantro sprigs.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on heat tolerance, starting with a smaller amount for milder versions.
- Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans for a protein-rich meat-free alternative.
- For a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop and meld overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 332 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg