Classic Chili Con Carne: A Hearty and Flavorful One-Pot Meal

Chili Con Carne is a rich, hearty, and flavorful dish made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. It’s the perfect comfort food for cold days and pairs well with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (red or green)
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth (or water)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth of flavor)

For Garnish (Optional):

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños
• Tortilla chips or cornbread

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics:

   • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
   • Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.

2. Brown the Meat:

   • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Add Spices & Tomatoes:

   • Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
   • Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance the flavor.

4. Simmer the Chili:

   • Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
   • Add kidney beans and black beans, mixing everything together.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Adjust & Serve:

   • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
   • Serve hot, garnished with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips.

Tips:

• For thicker chili, let it simmer longer or mash some beans with a fork.
• For extra depth, add a splash of dark beer or espresso powder.
• Make it spicy by adding extra cayenne or fresh jalapeños.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.