Chili con Carne (Printable format)

Rich, beefy stew loaded with kidney beans, tomatoes, and warming spices. Ready in 75 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Canned & Pantry

07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1½ tsp salt
17 - ½ tsp black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring well to incorporate.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes.
08 - Serve hot with your choice of toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or diced avocado.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The depth of flavor comes from letting the spices bloom in the hot beef fat, a trick that transforms ordinary chili powder into something extraordinary
  • Leftovers actually taste better after a night in the fridge, making it perfect for lazy Sunday meal prep
  • The whole house fills with the most incredible aroma while it simmers away on the stove
02 -
  • The first time I made this I rushed the spice blooming step and the chili tasted flat, now I never skip that minute of toasting
  • Simmering with the lid on keeps all the moisture in, but uncover it at the end if you like a thicker texture
  • Ground turkey works but youll need to add a tablespoon of oil to compensate for the missing beef fat
03 -
  • Letting the chili rest for 10 minutes before serving gives the sauce time to thicken slightly
  • Always taste your chili at least twice before adjusting seasonings, the first taste can be deceiving
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