Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne Recipe: Hearty Family Dinner Magic

Chilli con carne bursts with bold, zesty flavors that transform an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Simmering spices weave magic through tender meat, creating a symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

Each bite tells a story of comfort and passion, blending traditional techniques with modern flair.

Robust ingredients mingle effortlessly, building layers of depth that make this dish utterly irresistible.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can create such a complex and satisfying meal.

Regional twists add unique character, turning this classic recipe into a personalized masterpiece.

You’ll fall in love with every spoonful of this soul-warming creation that promises to become a family favorite.

Elevate your dinner game with this incredible chilli con carne!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Go Into Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne

• Onion: Select firm, bright, and heavy onions with no soft spots or sprouting.
• Garlic Cloves: Choose plump, tight-skinned garlic with no green sprouts or soft areas.
• Red Pepper: Pick vibrant, glossy peppers without bruises or wrinkled skin.

• Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef with minimal visible fat for richer flavor.
• Beef Stock: Select low-sodium stock to control overall salt content.

• Chopped Tomatoes: Use ripe, deep-colored canned tomatoes for consistent texture.
• Tomato Purée: Opt for pure tomato purée without added seasonings.
• Kidney Beans: Select well-drained, firm beans without discoloration.

• Marjoram: Use dried marjoram for concentrated herbal notes.
• Sugar, Dark Chocolate: Either ingredient adds depth and balances acidity.
• Salt and Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for intense aroma.
• Vegetable Oil: Choose neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point.

Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne: Kitchen Tools Needed

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing onions and browning beef.
• Cutting board: Space for chopping vegetables with ease.
• Sharp knife: Essential for finely dicing onions, red pepper, and garlic.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and breaking up ground beef.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately pour beef stock and tomato ingredients.
• Can opener: Needed for opening kidney beans and chopped tomatoes.
• Measuring spoons: Precise for adding spices like marjoram and sugar.
• Serving bowls: Ready to dish out steaming hot chilli.
• Ladle: Helps transfer chilli smoothly from skillet to serving bowls.

Cooking Instructions for Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne

• Kick Off Flavor Preparation

Gather all your favorite chilli fixings and prep your kitchen workspace with cutting board, sharp knife, and large skillet.

• Chop Like a Pro

Slice onions, red peppers, and garlic into tiny, consistent pieces that’ll melt beautifully into your hearty meal.

• Create Aromatic Base

Warm vegetable oil in skillet and dance onions around until they turn soft and glowing, releasing their sweet essence.

• Build Complex Layers

Toss in garlic, red peppers, and spices, stirring quickly to prevent burning and develop deep, rich undertones.

• Transform Meat

Tumble ground beef into the skillet, breaking it into delicate crumbles while cooking until perfectly browned and caramelized.

• Craft Robust Sauce

Pour beef stock, tomatoes, marjoram, and a hint of sugar or chocolate, allowing everything to simmer and meld into a luscious sauce.

• Finish and Fine-Tune

Add kidney beans, cook for final minutes, then taste and season with salt and pepper until the flavor sings.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let chilli rest briefly, then ladle over fluffy rice and crown with a creamy soured cream dollop for ultimate comfort.

Ways to Spice Up Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne

Explore exciting ways to personalize this classic comfort dish.

Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a healthier twist. Vegetarian friends can use lentils or extra beans for protein-packed goodness.

Adjust heat by adding jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or your favorite hot sauce. Start with a small amount and taste as you go to find your perfect spice balance.

Elevate your chilli with creative garnishes like crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, diced avocado, or a zesty lime wedge. Each topping adds a burst of flavor and texture.

This chilli tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen and meld together. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for a quick future meal.

Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne: Serving Made Easy

• Serve with Creamy Coolness: Top your chilli with a generous spoonful of soured cream, creating a smooth contrast to the spicy, rich flavors.
• Pair with Fluffy Comfort: Nestle the chilli alongside steamed white rice, allowing the grains to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a gentle backdrop.
• Crunch with Fresh Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top for a burst of color and a crisp, herbal note that brightens the entire dish.
• Enhance with Cheesy Delight: Grate sharp cheddar cheese over the hot chilli, letting it melt slightly and add a creamy, tangy dimension to each bite.

How to Store and Reheat Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne

• Meal Preservation Techniques: Store leftover chilli in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Pack chilli into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, which maintain quality for 3 months when sealed properly.
• Reheating Recommendations: Warm chilli gently on stovetop, adding splash of beef stock to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Smart Portion Planning: Divide chilli into individual serving sizes before storing, allowing quick and convenient meal prep for busy weekdays or spontaneous lunch needs.

Hearty Mary Berry Chilli Con Carne Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mary Berry’s chilli con carne brings robust Mexican-inspired flavors to comforting dinner tables. Home cooks can easily craft this hearty one-pot meal with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500 g (1.1 lbs) lean minced beef
• 410 g (14.5 oz) red kidney beans, canned
• 400 g (14 oz) chopped tomatoes, canned
• 1 large onion
• 1 red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 beef stock cube
• 2 tbsps tomato purée
• 1 heaped tsp hot chili powder (or 1 level tbsp if only mild)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp dried marjoram
• 1 tsp sugar
• long-grain rice, plain boiled, to serve
• soured cream, to serve

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Organize all ingredients and tools, ensuring a pristine cooking workspace for efficient preparation.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté finely chopped onions in heated olive oil over medium-high heat until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, stirring to release their vibrant essences.
3. Spice Awakening: Sprinkle ground spices into the pan, allowing them to bloom and intensify their aromatic profiles for a brief moment.
4. Meat Transformation: Add ground beef, breaking it into delicate crumbles and cooking until achieving a rich, uniform brown color that promises deep flavor development.
5. Liquid Harmony: Combine beef stock, diced tomatoes, marjoram, sugar (or dark chocolate), and tomato purée, stirring to create a robust and complex sauce base.
6. Gentle Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and let the mixture gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent any potential scorching and allow flavors to meld seamlessly.
7. Bean Integration: Fold in kidney beans, ensuring even distribution, and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes to marry all ingredients completely.
8. Flavor Refinement: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting and fine-tuning to personal preference.
9. Culinary Presentation: Allow the chili to rest briefly, then serve steaming hot over rice, crowned with a dollop of sour cream and optional fresh herb garnish for a final touch of elegance.

Notes

• Precision Chopping: Cut onions, peppers, and garlic uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution in every bite.
• Spice Blooming Technique: Toast spices for 30-45 seconds before adding other ingredients to intensify their aromatic oils and deepen the overall taste profile.
• Meat Browning Mastery: Break ground beef into small crumbles while cooking to achieve perfect caramelization and prevent large, tough meat chunks.
• Resting Magic: Allow the chili to rest 5-7 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and sauce naturally thicken, creating a more cohesive and rich taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg