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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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