Description
Hearty chili con carne brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across North America. Robust beef, smoky spices, and rich tomato sauce combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave during cooler evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Beans:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
Spices:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Liquid:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water or beef broth (optional, for consistency)
Garnish (optional):
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium flame and crumble ground beef, cooking for 6-7 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains visible. Eliminate excess grease through draining.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper across the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and pre-drained beans into the pot, gently mixing all ingredients to create a uniform consistency.
- Reduce heat to low, allowing the chili to simmer uncovered for 18-22 minutes. Periodically stir and monitor thickness, adding water or beef broth if mixture becomes too dense.
- Once chili reaches desired consistency and flavors have melded, remove from heat. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, dollop of sour cream, and freshly chopped green onions for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize meat by using ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Enhance flavor depth by blooming spices in oil before adding other ingredients, which intensifies their aromatic compounds.
- Control spice level by adjusting chili powder and adding jalapeños or hot sauce gradually for personalized heat.
- Make ahead and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld, creating a more complex and rich taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg