Ina Garten Chili Con Carne Recipe Full of Rich Flavor

Ina Garten’s chili con carne bursts with bold, tantalizing flavors that transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

This culinary masterpiece weaves together smoky spices and tender meat in a symphony of deliciousness.

Hearty beans and robust seasonings create a soul-warming dish that whispers comfort with every bite.

Mediterranean and southwestern notes dance across your palate, promising a meal that’s both familiar and exotic.

Rich, complex layers of flavor build a sensational experience that goes beyond simple cooking.

Each carefully crafted spoonful tells a story of passion and tradition, inviting you to savor every moment.

Get ready to fall in love with a chili so irresistible, it’ll become your instant weekend cooking obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ina Garten Chili Con Carne Dish

• Onions: Select firm, heavy bulbs with tight, papery skins for maximum sweetness and crisp texture..
• Red Bell Pepper: Choose vibrant, glossy peppers without soft spots or wrinkles for optimal crunch..
• Yellow Bell Pepper: Pick peppers with smooth, unblemished surfaces and bright, sunny color..
• Garlic: Look for firm, compact cloves without sprouts or green centers for robust flavor..

• Ground Beef: Seek 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for rich, juicy texture and deep meaty flavor..
• Chili Powder: Opt for fresh, fragrant blend with deep red color and complex warmth..
• Ground Cumin: Select whole seeds ground recently for intense, earthy aroma..
• Ground Coriander: Choose recently packaged spice with bright, citrusy undertones..
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for clean, pure seasoning..
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides superior zesty kick..
• Cayenne Pepper: Select vibrant red powder for balanced heat..

• Kidney Beans: Pick firm, uniformly colored beans without cracks or blemishes..
• Sour Cream: Select full-fat version for rich, tangy complement..
• Cheddar Cheese: Choose sharp variety for bold, tangy flavor..
• Scallions: Find crisp, bright green stalks with white bases..
• Cilantro: Select fresh, bright green leaves with no wilting..
• Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes: Choose San Marzano variety for sweetness and depth.

Kitchen Tools for Ina Garten Chili Con Carne

• Large Pot: Spacious, heavy-bottomed cookware perfect for simmering and developing deep flavors.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring and breaking up ground beef without scratching pot surface.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, peppers, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Measuring Spoons: Accurate way to add precise spice quantities.
• Fork or Potato Masher: Helps crush tomatoes into chunky sauce texture.
• Can Opener: Needed for opening canned tomatoes and kidney beans.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving chili into individual bowls.
• Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing kidney beans.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures correct ingredient proportions.

How to Cook Ina Garten Chili Con Carne Step-by-Step

• Kickstart the Flavor Explosion

Heat olive oil in a large pot and toss in chopped onions, vibrant bell peppers, and minced garlic. Let these ingredients dance and sizzle together for about 10 minutes, creating a mouthwatering aroma that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Brown the Protein Powerhouse

Dump ground beef into the veggie paradise and break it into delicious little pieces. Cook until the meat transforms into a rich, golden-brown treasure, ensuring no pink remains hidden inside.

• Craft Spicy Tomato Magic

Pour in whole peeled tomatoes and sprinkle a wild combination of spices – chili powder, cumin, coriander, and a hint of cayenne for that kick. Crush the tomatoes with a fork, creating a rustic sauce that’ll make taste buds do a happy dance.

• Simmer and Marry Flavors

Let the mixture bubble gently, then lower the heat and let everything mingle for about 30 minutes. This is where the real magic happens – spices blend, flavors intensify, and your chili starts telling a delicious story.

• Bean Party and Final Touch

Introduce kidney beans to the party, letting them warm up and soak in all the incredible flavors. Give everything a final 20-minute simmer until the chili reaches that perfect, thick consistency that screams comfort food.

• Serve with Style

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and go wild with toppings. Sprinkle some cheese, add a dollop of sour cream, or scatter fresh herbs on top. Grab some cornbread or rice and get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make everyone at the table cheer.

Flavor Tweaks for Ina Garten Chili Con Carne

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Experiment with different chili pepper varieties like jalapeños or habaneros to customize heat levels and add complex flavor dimensions.
• Protein Power Switch: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter or vegetarian versions without compromising taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chili a day in advance to allow spices and ingredients to develop deeper, richer flavors. Store in refrigerator and gently reheat before serving for maximum taste impact.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion cooled chili into airtight containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat slowly on stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain texture and prevent burning.

Ideas for Serving Ina Garten Chili Con Carne

• Elevate Your Chili Experience: Creative Serving Ideas
• Pair with Cornbread Companions: Slice warm, golden cornbread into wedges and serve alongside the hearty chili, allowing guests to dunk and soak up the rich, spicy sauce.
• Build a Chili Nacho Bar: Spread crispy tortilla chips on a large platter, then top with the hot chili, sprinkle generously with cheese, and let everyone customize their own loaded nachos.
• Create Comfort Bowl Combos: Ladle the chili over fluffy white rice or quinoa, then garnish with a dollop of cool sour cream and fresh herbs for a complete, satisfying meal that balances heat and creaminess.
• Make Chili Stuffed Peppers: Scoop the chili into halved bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake until peppers are tender for a fun, colorful twist on the classic dish.

Planning and Storing Ina Garten Chili Con Carne

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store chili in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture retention.
• Quick Freeze Strategy: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chili maintains excellent quality for 3 months.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw refrigerated or frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to restore original consistency and prevent scorching.
• Batch Preparation Pro Tip: Double the recipe and portion into individual servings for convenient meal prep. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and enjoy hassle-free future meals.

Hearty Ina Garten Chili Con Carne Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chili con carne blends robust beef, aromatic spices, and hearty beans into a comforting Southwestern classic. Warm and satisfying, this dish brings rich flavors to your table, inviting friends and family to savor each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
• 2 cans (28 oz/794 g each) whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
• 2 cans kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
• ¼ cup chili powder
• 1 cup chopped red bell peppers (1 pepper)
• 1 cup chopped yellow bell peppers (1 pepper)
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• sour cream (optional)
• grated Cheddar cheese (optional)
• chopped scallions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Foundation: Ignite olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and garlic until they soften and release their aromatic essence, roughly 8-10 minutes.
2. Meat Integration: Introduce ground beef, fracturing it into delicate crumbles using a wooden spoon. Roast the meat until it transitions from pink to a deep, caramelized brown, approximately 8-12 minutes.
3. Tomato and Spice Fusion: Crush plum tomatoes directly into the pot, blending their puree. Sprinkle a bold spice constellation of chili powder, cumin, coriander, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create a complex flavor profile.
4. Simmering Transformation: Momentarily escalate heat to trigger a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a low simmer. Allow the concoction to meld and intensify for 35-40 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent potential scorching.
5. Bean Incorporation and Final Refinement: Fold thoroughly rinsed kidney and black beans into the simmering mixture, ensuring uniform distribution. Continue simmering 15-20 minutes until the chili achieves a luxuriously thick consistency.
6. Culinary Presentation: Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls. Elevate the dish with optional garnishes: a lavish dollop of sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and delicate scallion ribbons to introduce textural complexity and vibrant flavor dimensions.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Sautéing: Take time to properly soften onions, peppers, and garlic over medium heat to build a rich flavor foundation for the chili.
• Master Meat Browning Technique: Break ground beef into small, uniform pieces and cook thoroughly to develop deep, caramelized flavors and prevent clumping.
• Control Simmering Process: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to allow spices to meld and develop complexity without burning or becoming bitter.
• Bean Integration Strategy: Rinse and drain beans completely to remove excess sodium and ensure a clean, fresh taste in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg