Here’s a hearty, bold, and flavorful Chili Con Carne — classic Texas-style chili loaded with beef, spices, and rich tomato flavor. Perfect for cold nights or game day!
🌶️🍲 Chili Con Carne
⭐ Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Meat & Base
- 2 lbs ground beef or diced chuck roast (traditional)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne (optional, for heat)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients
- 1 (14–15 oz) can crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste (for richness)
- 2 cups beef broth (more as needed)
- 1–2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Optional Add-ins
- 1–2 cans kidney beans or pinto beans (drained & rinsed)
- 1 small can green chiles
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (balances acidity)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the meat
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high.
- Add ground beef (or diced beef) and cook until browned.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Sauté aromatics
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot.
- Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
3. Add spices
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
4. Add tomatoes & liquids
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf.
- Stir to combine.
5. Simmer
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low.
- Cover and simmer 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add more broth if it becomes too thick.
6. Optional: Add beans
- Stir in beans during the last 20 minutes if you prefer chili with beans.
7. Taste & adjust
- Add more salt, chili powder, or a little brown sugar to balance.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
⭐ Serving Suggestions
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh jalapeños
- Cornbread or tortilla chips
⭐ Tips & Variations
Texas-Style (No Beans)
- Use diced chuck roast instead of ground beef.
- No tomatoes or beans — use beef broth + chili paste + spices.
Smoky Version
- Add 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
Veggie Boost
- Add corn, zucchini, or diced carrots.
Slow Cooker
- Brown meat and aromatics first.
- Add everything to slow cooker and cook:
- LOW: 6–8 hours
- HIGH: 3–4 hours
If you’d like, I can give you Texas chili, white chicken chili, Cincinnati chili, or a three-bean vegetarian chili!
