Chilli con carne recipe (2024)

Chilli con carne recipe (1)
  • Good Food team
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.2600 ratingsRate

loading...

Get 5 issues for £5 when you subscribe to our magazine

  • Preparation and cooking time

    • Prep:
    • Cook:
  • Easy

  • Serves 4

This great chilli recipe has to be one of the best dishes to serve to friends for a casual get-together. An easy sharing favourite that uses up storecupboard ingredients.

  • Freezable
Nutrition: per serving
NutrientUnit
kcal387
fat17g
saturates6g
carbs25g
sugars1g
fibre6g
protein36g
salt2.32g

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder (or 1 level tbsp if you only have mild)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 500g lean minced beef
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • ½ tsp dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp sugar (or add a thumbnail-sized piece of dark chocolate along with the beans instead, see tip)
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 410g can red kidney beans
  • plain boiled long grain rice, to serve
  • soured cream, to serve

Method

  • STEP 1

    Prepare your vegetables. Chop 1 large onion into small dice, about 5mm square. The easiest way to do this is to cut the onion in half from root to tip, peel it and slice each half into thick matchsticks lengthways, not quite cutting all the way to the root end so they are still held together. Slice across the matchsticks into neat dice.

  • STEP 2

    Cut 1 red pepper in half lengthways, remove stalk and wash the seeds away, then chop. Peel and finely chop 2 garlic cloves.

  • STEP 3

    Start cooking. Put your pan on the hob over a medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and leave it for 1-2 minutes until hot (a little longer for an electric hob).

  • STEP 4

    Add the onion and cook, stirring fairly frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft, squidgy and slightly translucent.

  • STEP 5

    Tip in the garlic, red pepper, 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder or 1 level tbsp mild chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin.

  • STEP 6

    Give it a good stir, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • STEP 7

    Brown 500g lean minced beef. Turn the heat up a bit, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your spoon or spatula. The mix should sizzle a bit when you add the mince.

  • STEP 8

    Keep stirring and prodding for at least 5 minutes, until all the mince is in uniform, mince-sized lumps and there are no more pink bits. Make sure you keep the heat hot enough for the meat to fry and become brown, rather than just stew.

  • STEP 9

    Make the sauce. Crumble 1 beef stock cube into 300ml hot water. Pour this into the pan with the mince mixture.

  • STEP 10

    Add a 400g can of chopped tomatoes. Tip in ½ tsp dried marjoram, 1 tsp sugar and add a good shake of salt and pepper. Squirt in about 2 tbsp tomato purée and stir the sauce well.

  • STEP 11

    Simmer it gently. Bring the whole thing to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on the pan. Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes.

  • STEP 12

    Check on the pan occasionally to stir it and make sure the sauce doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan or isn’t drying out. If it is, add a couple of tablespoons of water and make sure that the heat really is low enough. After simmering gently, the saucy mince mixture should look thick, moist and juicy.

  • STEP 13

    Drain and rinse a 410g can of red kidney beans in a sieve and stir them into the chilli pot. Bring to the boil again, and gently bubble without the lid for another 10 minutes, adding a little more water if it looks too dry.

  • STEP 14

    Taste a bit of the chilli and season. It will probably take a lot more seasoning than you think.

  • STEP 15

    Now replace the lid, turn off the heat and leave your chilli to stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is really important as it allows the flavours to mingle.

  • STEP 16

    Serve with soured cream and plain boiled long grain rice.

Recipe tips

Serving suggestions for chilli con carne

Serve it on a bed of plain, boiled rice, with a spoonful of soured cream on top. Pile it on tortilla chips and sprinkle it with grated cheddar. Wrap it up in a tortilla with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and guacamole for a great burrito.

What to serve with chilli con carne

This versatile dish works well with a variety of sides.

  • Nachos add some crunchy texture and act as a good dipping material.
  • If your chilli is extra spicy, then a bowl of coleslaw brings a cooling element.
  • Add a fresh salad for a light side - try our colourful Mexican corn salad or avocado and black bean salad.
  • For those with a big appetite, then potato wedges or loaded potato skins are good options for padding out the meal.

Tip to increase the flavour

Rather than add the teaspoon of sugar, you can stir in a small piece of chocolate (about the size of your thumbnail) when you add the beans. Any plain dark chocolate will do. Be careful not to add too much – you don’t want to be able to identify the flavour of the chocolate.

Try our vegan chilli recipe from our sister title olivemagazine.com/vegan-chilli.

Alternative recipes

Advertisem*nt

Comments, questions and tips

Overall rating

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.2600 ratings

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

March Subscription Offer

Subscribe today and get £10 to spend in M&S with an e-gift card!

Order now

Advertisem*nt

Chilli con carne recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  • Brown the Meat.
  • Don't Forget Vegetables.
  • Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  • Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  • Opt for Dried Beans.
  • Season Early and Often.
  • Add Some Acidity at the End.
  • Top It Off.

How to make a chili con carne better? ›

10 ways to take chilli con carne to the next level
  1. Cook it in one pot only.
  2. Make it ahead by up to three days.
  3. Use fresh spices.
  4. Source traditional Mexican dried chillies.
  5. Use a marbled cut of beef (not mince!)
  6. Add coffee for extra flavour.
  7. Choose your beans.
  8. Use chocolate.
May 2, 2023

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

What is a portion of chili con carne? ›

Common serving sizes
Serving SizeCalories
100 g104
1 cup264
1 serving (254 g)264
Aug 21, 2007

What is your chili secret ingredient? ›

Other unusual secret ingredients shared online include:
  • Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Espresso.
  • Fish sauce.
  • Maple syrup.
  • Molasses.
  • Soy sauce.
  • Whiskey.
Feb 21, 2024

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

You can really use any meat for chili, but here are the cuts that are most popular for classic chili:
  • Ground beef (80/20) ...
  • Ground sirloin (90/10) ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Short ribs. ...
  • Tri-tip sirloin. ...
  • Work with your butcher to get multiple textures. ...
  • Use multiple animals to add depth. ...
  • Go for grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
May 11, 2021

What to add to bland chilli con carne? ›

Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili. Just add a little at a time until it tastes the way you want it too. You can add more, but you can't remove what you put in.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Why put cornmeal in chili? ›

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Should I drain the fat for chili? ›

The best ground beef for chili has some fat, so 85% lean is ideal. Don't be tempted to use extra-lean beef or drain off the fat after browning the meat. The fat bastes the meat during cooking, which adds richness to the sauce and keeps the meat moist.

What to accompany chilli con carne? ›

Best served with rice or piled high onto baked potatoes, dolloped with soured cream. See more speedy meals with our quick dinner collection and quick and healthy dinner recipes.

Is chili con carne one L or two? ›

Chili con carne (Spanish: [ˈtʃili koŋ ˈkaɾne]; lit. 'chili with meat'), also spelled chilli con carne or chile con carne and shortened to chili or chilli, is a spicy stew containing chili peppers (sometimes in the form of chili powder), meat (usually beef), tomatoes, and often pinto beans or kidney beans.

How much hamburger per person for chili? ›

Consider between ¼ and a ⅓ of a pound per person, supplemented perhaps with a few strips of bacon to help keep everything juicy. Or use chunks of dark meat from the richer, fattier thighs, or even duck.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

What are the characteristics of a good chili? ›

The best chili is thick and comforting, but don't despair if your chili turns out a little on the thin side. We know a few easy ways to thicken chili, like mashing up some of the beans or adding a pinch of masa harina corn flour.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 5831

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.