Description
Mexican chilli con carne delivers hearty comfort straight from your kitchen’s heart. Packed with rich beef, spicy seasonings, and robust beans, this slow-cooked classic promises a delicious meal you’ll savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
- 2 cans (15 ounces/425 grams) kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 bell peppers, chopped
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a hot skillet until golden brown and crumbly, ensuring no pink remains.
- Transfer browned meat directly into the slow cooker, preserving all flavorful drippings.
- Sauté diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped red bell peppers for 2-3 minutes to release aromatic oils.
- Add sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with the browned beef.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, concentrated tomato paste, and rich beef broth.
- Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper over the mixture.
- Gently stir all ingredients until evenly distributed and well-combined.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until meat is tender and flavors meld.
- Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings like fresh chopped cilantro, dollop of tangy sour cream, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Notes
- Boost flavor by searing beef at high heat before adding to slow cooker, creating deeper caramelized notes and richer taste profile.
- Enhance protein variety by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier, dietary-flexible options.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium beef broth and reducing added salt, making the dish heart-friendly and more nutritionally balanced.
- Maximize meal prep by preparing large batches and freezing in portions, ensuring convenient, quick meals for busy weeknights or unexpected hunger.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 309 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg