Chili Con Carne

Chili con carne is spicy, satisfying comfort food for the soul. Hearty beef, beans, peppers, and onions are slow simmered in a richly seasoned tomato sauce for a stick-to-your-ribs meal for the masses.

Chilly temps, clocks turned back, and boy do I have the meal for you. Rib-sticking, fiery, and nourishing food for your soul…chili con carne.

Chili was one of the first meals I learned to cook as a girl. We weren’t particularly adventurous eaters in my family and we typically stuck to either your basic American fare or Italian. But every now and then we’d bust out the Joy of Cooking and tackle something new.

One day we dogeared the page for chili con carne and got to work. Chili con carne means simply ‘chili with meat’ and there are countless variations based on taste and geography. My preference is a meaty, beany chili with a rich tomato base and some kick; loosely inspired by that Joy of Cooking recipe, but developed and fine-tuned over decades.

Picture this…

…the work/school week is behind you

…there’s a crackling fire in the fireplace

…and you have a piping hot bowl of chili on your lap.

No need for the dinner table, just a spoon, napkin, and you can kick back and enjoy your dinner with your feet up. Throw in a bottle of beer and a hunk of skillet cornbread and now we’re really living. After all, it’s called comfort food for a reason.

Let’s make Chili con Carne

1. Gather ingredients.
2. Sauté green and red bell peppers until soft.
3. Add diced onions and cook until golden.
4. Stir in garlic and saute 1-2 mins.
5. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
6. Drain off the fat and stir in the spices. Cook until spices are toasted.

7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes.
8. Stir in the beer, minced green chiles, and chipotle pepper. Cover and cook for 20 mins.
9. Add the beans and cooked, uncovered, for an additional 20 mins.
10. Stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice. Serve!

Tips for success

• While this chili can be on the table in less than 90 mins, the longer it simmers, the better it gets. Make it a day in advance and serve tomorrow – even better!
• Serve this with All. The. Toppings. Herbs, cheese, sour cream, and even a handful of crumbled tortillas take this from so good to SO GREAT.
• Use a dark beer for a deeper flavor.
• Like it spicy? Stir in an extra chipotle or two!
• Don’t stir in the beans too early, they taste best when they’re intact, not mushy.

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Chili Con Carne

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

1 hr 4 mins

Total Time

1 hr 24 mins

 

Chili con carne is spicy, satisfying comfort food for the soul. Hearty beef, beans, peppers, and onions are slow simmered in a richly seasoned tomato sauce for a stick-to-your-ribs meal for the masses.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili, chili con carne

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 551 kcal

Author: Cathy Roma | whatshouldimakefor.com

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 onions, diced (medium)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds ground beef (80:20 meat-to-fat ratio)
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
• 56 oz crushed tomato. (2 - 28 oz cans)
• 4.5 oz minced green chiles (1 can)
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely minced
• 12 oz beer, I like a pale ale or stout for deeper flavor (1 bottle)
• 38 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed (2 - 19 oz cans)
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 lime
• shredded cheddar, sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, and sour cream for topping

Instructions

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven until hot.
2. Add peppers and saute until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes.

3. Add onion and continue to cook 5-7 minutes or until softened and golden.

4. Add garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.

5. Crumble in ground beef and cook until browned, 10 minutes.

6. Carefully drain off about half the fat, then add the spices. sugar, salt, pepper, and stir well. Cook for 2 mins.

7. Add the crushed tomatoes, stir, and bring to a simmer.
   

8. Stir in the chiles, minced chipotle pepper, and bottle of beer.

9. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

10. Uncover, add beans, and cook an additional 20 minutes. The chili should reduce a bit and have a nice thick consistency.

11. Stir in cilantro and squeeze in the juice from half of a lime.

12. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with garnishes if desired.

Recipe Notes

• While this chili can be on the table in less than 90 mins, the longer it simmers, the better it gets. Make it a day in advance and serve tomorrow - even better!
• Serve this with All. The. Toppings. Herbs, cheese, sour cream, and even a handful of crumbled tortillas take this from so good to SO GREAT.
• Use a dark beer for a deeper flavor.
• Like it spicy? Stir in an extra chipotle or two!
• Don't stir in the beans too early, they taste best when they're intact, not mushy.

Nutrition Facts

Chili Con Carne

Amount Per Serving

Calories 551 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 27g 42%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 80mg 27%

Sodium 1333mg 56%

Potassium 1369mg 39%

Total Carbohydrates 45g 15%

Dietary Fiber 12g 48%

Sugars 16g

Protein 30g 60%

Vitamin A 19.5%

Vitamin C 71.8%

Calcium 15.5%

Iron 39.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2016 but was republished with step-by-step photos and tips in November 2018.