Quick & Easy Joy Of Cooking Chili Con Carne Recipe

Chili con carne stands as a legendary comfort food that warms souls and sparks culinary passion.

Rich, robust flavors dance through this classic recipe, creating an irresistible melody of spice and satisfaction.

Hearty ingredients merge in a delectable symphony, transforming simple components into a memorable meal.

Home cooks adore this dish for its versatility and crowd-pleasing potential.

Authentic preparations balance complex seasonings with tender meat and aromatic vegetables.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and home-cooked goodness.

Passionate chefs understand that true magic happens when quality ingredients meet thoughtful technique: prepare to fall in love with this ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Building Blocks of a Bold Chili Con Carne

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base that provides rich flavor and filling texture for the chili.

• Onions, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that create a deep, savory foundation for the dish.
• Green Pepper: Adds fresh, crisp vegetable element with mild pepper flavor.

• Salt, Cayenne Pepper: Enhances overall taste and provides a subtle heat kick.
• Oregano, Cinnamon, Chili Powder: Warm spices that contribute complex, traditional chili flavor profile.
• Bouillon: Deepens meat flavor and adds umami richness to the dish.

• Tomatoes: Provides acidic base and creates smooth, rich sauce.
• Water: Helps adjust consistency and blend flavors during cooking.

• Beans: Adds protein, texture, and traditional chili element.
• Jalapeño: Optional spicy garnish for extra heat.
• Sour Cream: Cool, creamy topping to balance spicy flavors.

Sizzle & Simmer: Chili Con Carne Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Ground Beef

Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until no pink remains. Drain excess fat and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

In the same pot, sauté chopped onions until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Ground cinnamon
• Chili powder
• Beef bouillon
• Diced green pepper

Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.

Step 4: Create Chili Liquid

• Diced tomatoes
• Water

Stir thoroughly and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 5: Slow Simmer And Finish

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour. Stir in kidney beans and heat through.

Top Tips for a Tasty, Hearty Chili

• Customize Heat Wisely: Start with small amounts of chili powder and cayenne, then gradually increase to match your spice tolerance.
• Control Liquid Magic: Let the chili simmer without a lid to naturally reduce and thicken the sauce, creating a rich, concentrated flavor.
• Bean Swap Adventure: Mix kidney, pinto, or black beans to add texture and surprise your taste buds with each spoonful.
• Perfect Pairing Hack: Complement the robust chili with warm, crispy cornbread or a slice of rustic bread to soak up every delicious drop.
• Flavor Layering Trick: Build depth by sautéing onions and garlic before adding meat, which helps develop a more complex taste profile.

Storing Chili Con Carne: Keeping It Cozy

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by removing all air with a vacuum sealer. Transfer chili to specialized bags, seal completely, and store in the freezer for maximum preservation up to 6 months without freezer burn.
• Portion Freezing Method: Divide chili into individual serving sizes using freezer-safe mason jars or silicone muffin molds. Pop out frozen portions directly into resealable bags for easy single-serving meal prep and quick defrosting.
• Glass Container Storage Method: Choose high-quality, thick-walled glass containers with airtight lids for storing chili. Glass prevents flavor absorption, maintains taste integrity, and allows easy microwave reheating without transferring containers.

Spicing It Up: Chili Con Carne Variations

• Veggie Vigor: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein crumbles or diced mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version that maintains rich, robust flavors.
• Smoky Southwest Spin: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and smoked paprika to add deep, complex smokiness that elevates the traditional chili profile.
• Lean Protein Power: Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken to create a lighter, lower-fat alternative without compromising the classic chili essence.
• Slow Cooker Simplicity: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after initial browning, allowing flavors to meld together over 6-8 hours for an effortless, tender chili experience.

Chili Con Carne Finale: Closing Thoughts

Chili con carne whispers classic comfort through generations of culinary tradition.

Hearty spices dance with robust beef, creating layers of complex flavor profiles.

Mexican-inspired recipes rarely match such depth and warmth.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-satisfying meal with passionate precision.

Regional variations showcase local ingredients while maintaining core authenticity.

Family tables transform when this masterpiece arrives: share this recipe, click the heart button, comment with your favorite chili memories, and spread delicious inspiration!

Chili Con Carne Cravings: Why You’ll Love It

• Savor Bold Flavor Explosion: This chili con carne delivers a powerful punch of spices like cayenne, cinnamon, and chili powder that dance across your taste buds with incredible depth and warmth.
• Master Quick and Easy Cooking: The one-pot method makes this recipe incredibly simple, allowing home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal in just 90 minutes with minimal kitchen cleanup and straightforward techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort Meal: Flexible ingredients like optional jalapeños and sour cream mean you can adjust the heat and creaminess to match your personal preference, making this a perfect adaptable dish for different palates.
• Packed with Nutritious Protein: Lean ground beef combined with hearty beans creates a protein-rich meal that feels satisfying and provides substantial energy, perfect for cold days or after active adventures.

Joy Of Cooking Chili Con Carne Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chili con carne brings Mexican-inspired comfort straight to kitchen tables across America. Savory ground beef mingles with robust spices, creating a warming dish that invites hungry diners to savor each spoonful of rich, soul-satisfying flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Spices:

• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1–½ teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
• 2 cans (14-½ ounces or 411 grams each) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) water
• 1 can (16 ounces or 454 grams) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Optional Garnish:

• Sour cream
• Jalapeno slices

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Instructions

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium temperature and cook ground beef for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains. Transfer cooked beef to a separate bowl, draining excess fat.
2. In the same pot, sauté diced onions until translucent and soft, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
3. Incorporate dried oregano, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, chili powder, beef bouillon, and chopped green bell peppers into the onion mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly and allow flavors to meld for 2 minutes.
4. Return crumbled beef to the pot and introduce diced tomatoes. Pour in water (16 fluid ounces / 473 milliliters) and mix ingredients until well combined. Raise heat to generate a robust boil.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for approximately 60 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and intensify. Fold in kidney beans during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
6. Remove from heat and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes. Optional: Garnish with sliced fresh jalapeños and a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Notes

• Sprinkle parsley just before serving for a fresh pop of color and herbal brightness.
• Leftover stew keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, developing deeper flavors overnight.
• Freeze extra portions in airtight containers for easy weeknight meals within 3 months.
• Home cooks can swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based crumbles without losing rich flavor profiles.
• Sautéing vegetables until slightly caramelized enhances the overall depth and complexity of the dish.
• Cast iron Dutch ovens provide the most even heat distribution and help develop robust flavor layers.
• Drain and rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve texture.
• Chop ingredients uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced taste in every bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 524 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 78 mg