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Chili con Carne

Name: Chili con Carne
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 10 servings ( 2 1/2 qt.)
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 medium green pepper, chopped; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 3 teaspoons beef bouillon granules; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup water; 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; Optional: Sour cream and jalapeno slices

20 reviews

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 1-1/2 hours

Makes

10 servings ( 2 1/2 qt.)

Updated: Nov. 28, 2022

At chili suppers, this chili con carne recipe always disappears first! It's nice at home, too, since the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the better the taste seems to get. —Janie Turner, Tuttle, Oklahoma

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons chili powder
3 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Optional: Sour cream and jalapeno slices

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; crumble beef. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot, heat oil; saute onions until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the green pepper, salt, chili powder, bouillon, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin and oregano. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring until combined.
Add tomatoes and browned beef. Stir in water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 1 hour. Add beans and heat through. If desired top with sour cream and jalapeno.

Chili Con Carne Tips

What's the difference between chili and chili con carne?

The Spanish phrase "chili con carne" means chili with meat, but both chili and chili con carne can refer to the authentic spicy dish of meat, chili peppers, beans, tomatoes, seasonings and spices. Check out the many different types of chili you can make!

How do you make chili con carne taste even better?

Chili is an easy dish you can adjust to suit your preferences. You can use any type of beef you choose, replace the water with beef broth for enhanced beef flavor, add more cayenne for extra heat and sprinkle on fresh oregano to brighten the dish. You can also try any of these secret ingredients to upgrade your chili.

Is chili con carne healthy?

Chili is packed with protein and fiber and can be enjoyed with little guilt. You can opt for leaner meat like ground turkey or chicken if you are concerned with the amount of fat.

What do you serve with chili con carne?

Topped with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese, this hearty chili is a meal by itself. But you can also pair it with a simple side salad or slices of buttery cornbread.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 264 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 892mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 20g protein.