Chili con Carne

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Introduction

Chili is a dish that’s perfect for the whole family. It’s easy to prepare and its ingredients are readily available, so you can make it anytime. Chili con carne is a favorite among families because it has an amazing flavor that everybody loves. This recipe is similar in many ways to other chilies, but this version has some extra spices and ingredients to give it an extra kick. If you make this meal often enough, then you might want to try our Sausage Stuffed Peppers recipe or Beef Stroganoff!

1 tbsp. oil

• Use a heavy-bottomed pot with at least a 12-inch diameter as the chili will be very thick and you don’t want it to burn on the bottom of your pan. A 9 or 10 inch skillet would also work well, but make sure it has at least 2 inches of clearance under its rim so that when you add ingredients later, they can float up rather than sink into the pot and create an uneven surface for cooking on top of.

• Add 1 tbsp. oil to your pan before adding any other ingredients (to prevent sticking).

1 lb. ground beef

Ground beef is the most common meat used in chili con carne. It can be substituted with any ground meat that you have on hand, like chicken, turkey or pork. You can also use lean ground beef and extra-lean ground beef for a lower fat version of this dish.

Be sure to drain your canned beans well before using them in the recipe—the more moisture mixed back into dry beans, the mushier they will become when cooked (and less flavorful).

1 onion, diced

• Dicing the onion is a lot easier done with a knife. Don’t use a food processor or blender for this part—the onions will be too soft and mushy if you do.

2 cloves garlic, minced

Garlic is a great source of antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. It’s also rich in manganese, selenium, and vitamin B6.

Garlic contains fibre—a good way to keep your digestive system working smoothly! And it’s got vitamins A, C and E too.

2 tsp. chili powder

Chili powder is a mixture of ground chilies, cumin, garlic and oregano. It’s used to add flavor to chili con carne.

The amount you use will depend on your taste preferences—you can adjust it based on what works best for you!

1 tsp. ground cumin

Cumin is one of the most important spices in any good chili. It adds both a lot of flavor and an interesting aroma to the dish that many people like. Cumin has a woody, earthy flavor that pairs well with other ingredients like tomatoes and onions.

You can use ground cumin as well as whole seeds or powder—the latter being more common in recipes like this one because they’re easier to find than their loose counterparts at your local grocery store or natural food store (if you live somewhere where it’s legal!). If you’re looking for something more traditional than ground cumin though: feel free to add 1 tsp.–1 Tbsp worth into your bowl!

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Dried oregano is a spice made from dried oregano leaves. It’s used in Greek and Mexican cuisine, where it has a pungent taste similar to thyme but with more of an oregano tang.

1 cup tomato sauce

You’ll need 1 cup of tomato sauce. If you don’t have any, make sure to buy the type that doesn’t contain sugar or salt. It’s important to use a brand without additives—they can be very different from one another and cause problems with your dish.

2/3 cup chicken broth

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices) or chopped tomatoes with their juices
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves * 2 teaspoons chili powder (or more to taste) * 1 teaspoon ground cumin * 2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup corn kernels or drained canned sweet corn

Corn kernels, or corn that has been drained from canned sweet corn, are an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants and vitamins A and C. They’re also a good source of folate (Folate is important for pregnant women because it helps prevent neural tube defects in fetuses).

Corn contains magnesium, potassium and iron—important nutrients for healthy blood pressure levels.

Salt and pepper, to taste

Salt and pepper, to taste.

Salt and pepper are seasoning that you can use to make food taste better, or more healthy. You can also use them to make your meal more nutritious if you want to eat something like chili con carne (which is mostly made with ground beef).

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a meal that can be prepared in advance, this one is perfect. You only need to bring the meat and vegetables to a boil or simmer, then add everything else and let it simmer until done. While there are many variations of chili recipes out there, we think that this one hits all the right notes!