What should I cook? Is probably the most common question heard in the kitchen.
A comforting bowl of Chili is like a warm hug for your taste buds! This classic recipe is not just quick and easy; it's a symphony of flavors that only gets better with time. The combination of spices, beans, and savory goodness will make you crave it over and over. And the best part? It's a culinary canvas—customize it to suit your taste or mood!
When you come home tired after a long day at work, spending too much time cooking is probably the last thing you want to do. Luckily, a Chili Con Carne recipe can be the perfect solution to this problem. This dish can be prepared with just 7 simple steps and it tastes great, so you won’t have to sacrifice flavor for convenience. Additionally, Chili can be stored in your fridge for several days, and it even tastes better after it sits for a while. So, if you make a big batch, you can enjoy it for multiple meals!
There are many chili recipes, but today you will make the classic and simplest one possible.
Chili Con Carne Ingredients
- Ground beef: Provides a hearty and meaty base for the dish. Adds protein and flavor.
- Pelati Tomatoes: Adds a rich tomato flavor. Helps create the sauce for the chili.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and a depth of flavor to the dish.
- Bell Pepper: Provides color, texture, and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the other flavors.
- Garlic: Provides aromatic and savory notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Fresh Chili: Adds heat and spice to the dish.
- Canned red beans: Make chili more filling and nutritious by adding texture, protein, and fiber.
- Sugar: Helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and adds a touch of sweetness to the dish.
- Ground paprika: Adds a warm and smoky flavor to the chili.
- Ground Coriander: Adds a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other spices.
- Cumin: Adds a distinctive earthy and nutty taste characteristic of chile con carne.
- Coriander: Adds freshness and a pop of color as a garnish to enhance the overall presentation.
- Water: Keeps the chili from becoming too thick and helps create the desired consistency.
- Black Chocolate: Adds depth and richness to the chili, balancing the flavors and adding a subtle hint of bitterness.
- Nachos: Often served as a crunchy topping or side dish to accompany the chili. Provides a contrast in texture.
- Worcester Sauce: Enhances the umami flavor and adds complexity to the dish by blending savory and tangy notes.
How To Make Chili Con Carne?
You have all the necessary ingredients, so let’s get cooking and tantalize your taste buds!
- First, dice the onion, carrot, bell pepper, and finely dice the garlic and chili.
- Then, cut the cilantro into strips.
- Heat a frying pan, add oil, and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes. Then, add the carrots and peppers and sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
- Heat a frying pan, add oil, garlic, and ground beef, and fry for 10 minutes.
- Add the fried vegetables and chili (leave a little for decoration), paprika, coriander, and cumin. Then add sugar, Worcestershire, and Pelati tomatoes and simmer for 30-40 minutes (if the meat is tough, you can simmer for an hour – 20 hours). Add salt.
- Then add the beans, chocolate, and cilantro, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place on a plate and garnish with chili and cilantro. Serve with nachos. Enjoy!
Chef Recipe Tips:
- I recommend using the meat from the entrecote so that the Chili Con Carne will have a richer flavor and the ground meat will be softer.
- Some of the beans can be crushed to make the mass thicker.
- Instead of nachos, you can serve the dish with bread, tortillas, etc.
Tips For Homemade Chili
Have you ever walked into a store and discovered that what you need is not available? Here are some secrets and tips that can diversify your dish and make it more refined and delicious.
Meet
If you don’t have beef as indicated in the recipe or if you don’t like it, don’t worry. You can use any other type of ground meat such as chicken, pork, or turkey, or even sausages. It will still taste great, and for some people, it might even taste better because everyone has different preferences when it comes to food.
Beans
Beans are one of the main ingredients, but feel free to use any kind you have in your kitchen. Whether you prefer pinto or black beans, or even a mixture of both, it won’t ruin the recipe. Additionally, replacing the meat with beans can make this dish a vegetarian option.
Add anything you like
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with adding something to a dish that isn’t typically included. The kitchen is like an art studio, and if you want to add some colorful flavor or a pop of color to your chili, go for it! You could try adding bell peppers, bacon, celery, pumpkin, mushrooms, zucchini, corn, carrots, or anything else that you think would enhance the taste. Let your imagination run wild and create something new and exciting that you’ve never tasted before. This recipe is perfect for experimentation.
Best Toppings for Chili
It’s important to note that serving a dish is just as important as its taste. There are plenty of delicious toppings to choose from, so pick your favorite.
- Shredded cheese
- Green onion
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Fritos
- Tortilla chips
- Saltine crackers
- Oyster crackers
If someone likes spicier food, this is the best ingredient to add. Be careful not to overuse it, though, or your mouth might start to burn.
- Diced jalapenos
- Poblano peppers
- Green chiles
- Hot sauce
Chili Con Carne Storage
Everyone wants to create a dish that can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days without losing its flavor. This homemade chili is a perfect example of such a dish. In fact, it becomes even more delicious the next day!
To store the chili, transfer it or any leftovers to an airtight container. Make sure that the food has cooled down completely before placing it in the refrigerator. The chili can be stored for up to 3 to 5 days.
If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Healthy Reasons To Eat Chili Con Carne
Many people are concerned about their health, particularly when it comes to food. However, choosing chili as a meal can alleviate these worries. This dish is 100% healthy, serving as a source of protein and fiber, even if you make it vegetarian. Adding bell peppers to your chili will also give you vitamin C, which can boost your immune system. Furthermore, for those who are on a diet and do not get enough iron, beans have a sufficient quantity of it.
Interestingly, chili can also have a positive effect on one’s mood. It is not just about feeling full after eating, but chili can also help your body produce endorphins and serotonin, which are the main substances that greatly influence our mood.
Story Facts About Chili
The modern dish known as Chili Con Carne or simply Chili has its roots in a recipe from 1529, where the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Saagun wrote about stews seasoned with pepper. It was commonly eaten in Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, which is present-day Mexico. In 1850, a new variant of the dish was invented, which involved grinding dried beef, suet, chili, and salt into bricks that could be passed to the front. The mix was then thrown into boiling water, and the dish was ready to eat.
A well-rounded balanced lunch with low fat content and a high protein content. Suitable for both those looking to lose weight and individuals aiming to gain muscle mass. Complex carbohydrates will replenish energy stores for several hours, and the combination of plant and animal protein will provide a feeling of satiety. This dish is also excellent for replenishing iron levels in the body. However, I would recommend caution for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and those with sensitive digestive systems, as the combination of beans and beef protein can lead to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach or bloating.
Dice the onion, carrot, bell pepper, and finely dice the garlic and chili.
Cut cilantro into strips.
Heat a frying pan, add oil, and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, add the carrots and peppers and sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
Heat a frying pan, add oil, garlic, and ground beef, and fry for 10 minutes.
Add the fried vegetables and chili (leave a little for decoration), paprika, coriander, and cumin. Then add sugar, Worcestershire, and Pelati tomatoes and simmer for 30-40 minutes (if the meat is tough, you can simmer for an hour – 20 hours). Add salt.
Add the beans, chocolate, and cilantro, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Place on a plate and garnish with chili and cilantro. Serve with nachos.
For an extra flavor kick, try adding a dark chocolate square to the simmering chili. It's a secret ingredient that enhances the richness and depth of the dish. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you!
