One pot on the stove turns dinner into comfort before anyone asks what is cooking. Ground beef simmers with tomatoes, beans, onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and broth until the sauce thickens and the flavor settles into every spoonful. The heat feels bold without taking over, so each bite stays satisfying with rice, cornbread, tortilla chips, baked potatoes, or salad.
This recipe works for game day, cold nights, meal prep, or family dinners when everyone wants a bowl that fills the kitchen with aroma. Add toppings at the end, and the meal feels ready to enjoy with sour cream, cheese, or jalapeños.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works because each ingredient adds something important. Ground beef gives the chili a rich and hearty base, while beans make it filling and satisfying. Tomatoes create the sauce, and chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano bring warm, classic flavor.
It is also easy to adjust for your taste. You can make it mild or spicy, thicker or saucier, with beans or without beans. It stores well, reheats beautifully, and often tastes even better the next day, making it great for leftovers and meal prep.
Ingredients
Ground Beef: Ground beef gives the chili a rich, hearty base and makes it filling.
Substitute: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based ground meat.
Beans: Beans add texture, protein, and make the chili more satisfying. Kidney beans and pinto beans work well.
Substitute: Use black beans, chili beans, or leave them out for a no-bean version.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes make the sauce rich and help all the flavors come together.
Substitute: Use crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, or fire-roasted tomatoes.
Chili Powder: Chili powder gives the dish its classic warm chili flavor.
Substitute: Use taco seasoning or a mix of paprika, cumin, and cayenne.
Onion: Onion adds sweetness and depth to the chili.
Substitute: Use 1 teaspoon onion powder if needed.
Tips
- Brown the beef well before adding the other ingredients for better flavor.
- Drain extra grease from the beef so the chili does not taste oily.
- Let the chili simmer so the flavors can blend and the sauce can thicken.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt, chili powder, or heat.
- Chili tastes even better the next day, so it is great for meal prep.
How to Serve
Chili con carne is best served warm with your favorite toppings. It works as a main dish, party food, or make-ahead meal. You can keep it simple or load it with cheese, sour cream, onions, and chips.
- Serve in bowls with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and green onions for a classic chili dinner.
- Spoon over baked potatoes or fries for a filling comfort meal.
- Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips for dipping and scooping.
Similar Recipes
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Chili Con Carne
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can diced tomatoes 28 ounces
- 1 can tomato sauce 15 ounces
- 1 can kidney beans 15 ounces, drained and rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans 15 ounces, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned.
- Drain extra grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, and beef broth.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper if using, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
- Bring the chili to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring sometimes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- If the chili is too thick, add a splash of broth. If it is too thin, simmer it a little longer.
- Serve warm with cheese, sour cream, green onions, cornbread, or tortilla chips.
Nutrition
Notes
• Drain extra grease from the beef so the chili does not taste oily.
• Let the chili simmer so the flavors can blend and the sauce can thicken.
• Taste before serving and adjust the salt, chili powder, or heat.
• Chili tastes even better the next day, so it is great for meal prep.
Great recipe for a cold night. The seasoning was just right, and the chili thickened nicely as it simmered.