Chili Con Carne (Printable Version)

A hearty Tex-Mex stew with seasoned beef, kidney beans, and simmered tomatoes, ideal 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

# How To Make It:

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 incorporate.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes.
08 - Serve hot with your choice of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or diced avocado.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The depth of flavor develops while you barely lift a finger
  • Feeds a crowd without requiring fancy techniques or expensive ingredients
  • Tastes even better reheated, making it the gift that keeps on giving
02 -
  • Chili needs at least 45 minutes of simmering for the flavors to marry properly
  • Taste after 30 minutes and adjust cayenne before it gets too late to fix the heat level
  • The texture should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still pourable
03 -
  • Make it a day ahead and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight for the best flavor
  • Freeze portions in freezer bags for emergency meals on busy weeks
  • Use red wine instead of some broth for extra depth if you have an open bottle
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