Chili Con Carne (Printable)

Hearty beef and bean stew with Tex-Mex spices, perfect for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Canned & Pantry

07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1½ tsp salt
17 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Sour cream
19 - Shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Chopped cilantro
21 - Sliced green onions
22 - Diced avocado

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring well to combine with the spice mixture.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
06 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The meaty richness comes from using ground beef with enough fat to carry all those spices deep into every spoonful
  • Simmering low and slow lets the flavors meld into something that tastes like its been cooking all day even though it takes just over an hour
02 -
  • Chili needs time to rest after cooking, so make it at least a few hours ahead or the day before for the best flavor
  • The spices will continue to develop as it sits, so season conservatively at first and adjust before serving
03 -
  • The quality of your chili powder matters more than any other ingredient since its the dominant flavor
  • Letting the spices cook in the hot fat before adding liquid releases their essential oils
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