One Pot Chilli Con Carne

Name: One Pot Chilli Con Carne
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion (finely diced); 4 garlic cloves (minced); 500 gm beef mince; 1/2 red pepper (finely diced); 1/2 yellow pepper (finely diced); 1/4 green pepper (finely diced); 2 tsp cumin powder; 1 tsp cayenne pepper powder; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp paprika powder; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp black pepper powder; 2 tbsp beef bouillon stock powder; 1 chopped canned tomatoes; 1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 1 can baked beans; 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce; 2.5 liters water; 3 tbsp instant oats; 1 lime juice; Salt & Pepper for seasoning; Thick yogurt/sour cream; Avocado; Fresh cilantro; Onions ((finely diced); Shredded cheese; Tortilla chips; Lime wedges

A one pot meal that is wholesome and comforting. Very easy to make and the perfect mexican inspired meal to cook. Make this recipe ahead of time and portion it out for the week.

Chilli con carne is a dish we have been making at home for years but I never thought of sharing the recipe as it is so simple and such a comforting “home” cooked recipe that I wasn’t sure it was something that would be liked. Until I actually googled chilli con carne and found so many recipes online with a diverse variations. This recipe is basically the same one of have been making for the last 10 years.

There are a few substitutes and variations in this recipe to make it even more delicious but we will be cooking the most basic and simple version of this recipe so that you can make it and enjoy it at home at anytime. I prefer making this recipe on a sunday and then having it portioned it out in boxes for the week. This dish is a comforting meal that is healthy, wholesome and yummy. Before we get into the recipe let us understand a few cultural points about chilli con carne.

What is the difference between chilli 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 stew of meat (most often than not minced meat), chili peppers, beans, tomatoes, spices. Americans call it chili while Mexicans and Spanish call it Chili con carne.

What is chilli con carne made of?

Chilli con carne is made of minced meat (mostly beef mince), chili peppers, tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, spices, garlic and some recipes use beef stock while other call for red wine. Some recipes call for corn, scallions, dried herbs, cilantro and jalapeños as well.

Why is it called chilli con carne?

Chilli con carne is also known as chili con carne. The Spanish meaning is chili with meat, the name came fro chili meaning heat and the stew haas always had spice.

Is chilli con carne Spanish or Mexican? Which country invented chilli con carne?

Chilli con carne got its name from the Spanish which means “chilli peppers with meat”, it considered to be a “tex-mex” dish however the roots of the dish traces back to Mexico. The origin of the recipe is a little vague with the Spanish name/translation and the mexican flavors/ingredients but the recipe spills into both cultures.

What do Americans call chilli con carne?

Many states in America refer to chili con carne as Texas red however a bowl of “red” most often than not would suggest chunk of meat stewed in a similar flavor profile as that of chili con carne. It wouldn’t necessarily mean it is a stew of beef mince.

Is chilli con carne healthy?

Chilli con carne is considered to be a healthy dish as it is made with mince meat, veggies like peppers and has beans in them making it high in protein, fiber and good source of carbs. It is a well balanced dish that is prefect for lunch or dinner, a great made ahead meal to get prepped and stores easily as well.

What is the secret to a really good chilli con carne?

One of the biggest secrets to making a delicious chilli con carne is adding flavored liquids into the stew, such as beef stock, chicken stock, red wine or vegetable stock. I like using beef stock powder or bouillon stock powder mixed with water as I don’t always. Have homemade stock or broth on hand. The longer you cook the dish the better it will taste – I like to cook the stew for a minimum of 45 minutes on low heat, you could cook it longer in the oven (slow and slow) – in saying this the flavor develops even more and intensifies. I like to thicken my chili with oats. This might seem odd and many. Recipes use cornmeal which is yummy but you might to always have cornmeal in your house (cornmeal is not the same as corn flour), and oats give the stew a very rich and thick texture, not to mention a good bite.

What to eat with chilli con carne? What is traditionally served with chilli con carne?

I love eating chilli con carne with rice but it is yummy with my no knead bread recipe. I do like serving it with yogurt or sour cream, avocado, cilantro, freshly chopped onions and tortilla chips.

How to make chilli con carne thicker?

There are many ways to thicken up your chilli con carne. You could allow it to simmer longer keeping a lid on with a little gap to allow the steam to escape. Alternatively you can add cornmeal into the chili too make a thicker textured sauce – cornmeal is not the same asa corn flour and some recipes so call for corn flour as well. I prefer using a very unconventional option: oats. A little instant oats or rolled oats soaked up the liquid and makes for a very yummy texture and doesn’t aid in any flavor making it the easiest thickening agent that is fuss free and effective.

What ingredients do you need to make chilli con carne?

To make this chilli con carne we need beef mince (I used lean beef mince), peppers, (I used a combined of red, yellow and green), garlic, onions, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper powder, cumin powder, black pepper powder, salt, oregano, beef bouillon stock powder, canned tomatoes, baked beans, kidney beans, worcestershire sauce, oats, lime. I have served it with greek yogurt (ideally use sour cream), cilantro, lime wedges, onions, avocado.

What meat can you use to make chilli con carne?

Traditionally chilli con carne is made with beef mince. I have. Made this recipe with chicken mince, turkey mince and lamb mince. They work well, however if I am making the recipe with beef or lamb I like to cook it for attest 45 minutes if not longer. You can cook the chicken or turkey mince chili for a less amount of time as they cook and bread down faster.

What equipment do you need to make chilli con carne?

I have used a heavy bottom stock pot to cook the chilli con carne. Ideally use a pot with a lid as it needs to be cooked covered. I also use a wooden spatula to stir the chili but you can use any spoon to stir it. The ingredients must be prepped with a knife and chopping board.

How to make chilli con carne?

In a large heavy bottom stockpot add olive oil, onions and garlic. Cook on medium heat until softened and translucent – around 1-2 minutes. Add the beef mince and break it up using the wooden spoon. Let this brown and caramelize for at least 3 minutes until it has a deep brown color. Add the spices and stir well. Add the peppers and stir, et this cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the beef bouillon stock powder and stir again. Add the canned tomatoes, baked beans, kidney beans and stir well. Add the water and stir well, scrapping the bottom. Season with a little salt, black pepper and worcestershire sauce, cover and cook on low to medium heat for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and stir the pot, add lime juice, oats and stir well, the chili will thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve in bowls with thick yogurt/sour cream, avocado, lime wedge, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, tortilla chips.

Serving and storing chilli con carne?

Once the chili is cooked, spoon it into a bowl and top it with thick yogurt, avocado, fresh cilantro, onions, a lime wedge, shredded cheese and corn tortilla chips. To keep this recipe gluten free use a gluten free oat packet and gluten free tortilla chips. I like eating it with rice but my dad loves it with bread. Serve it hot and enjoy.

Store the leftovers in a once large air tight container one cooled down in the fridge for 3-4 days. Alternatively you can portion the chili into individual containers and freeze them for up to 2 weeks. When ready to eat, heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes or until warm.

Looking for more Mexican recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this Chilli con carne, you can have a look at the video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more baking recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.