Chilli con carne is a hearty, spicy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners. It’s made with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and a medley of spices to give it a rich, robust flavor. Here’s a simple recipe to follow.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1-2 teaspoons chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 400g (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 400g (14 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 300ml (1¼ cup) beef stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions:
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Peppers: Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper, and green pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peppers soften slightly.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned all over, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and tomato paste. Cook for about 1-2 minutes to let the spices bloom and deepen in flavor.
- Add Tomatoes and Stock: Pour in the canned tomatoes and beef stock. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the chili cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Beans: After simmering, stir in the drained kidney beans and let the chili cook for another 10-15 minutes, uncovered, until it thickens and all the flavors come together.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or lime wedges for extra freshness.
Enjoy this classic, comforting chilli con carne with rice, cornbread, or simply on its own!
CALORIES:
The calorie count for chilli con carne depends on the ingredients and portion sizes. A typical recipe, which includes ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices, will generally provide the following approximate breakdown for a serving (1 cup, about 250g):
- Ground beef (80% lean): ~230 calories per 100g
- Kidney beans: ~110 calories per 100g
- Diced tomatoes (canned): ~20 calories per 100g
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): ~120 calories
- Onion, garlic, spices: minimal calories
For a standard 1-cup serving of chilli con carne, the estimated calories are around 250–350 calories, depending on the fat content of the beef and the quantity of oil used.
If you’re making a larger batch and dividing it into multiple servings, you can adjust these numbers accordingly based on your specific ingredients.
