Homemade Chili Con Carne with Extra Vegetables
Make homemade chili con carne at home with this easy, flavorful recipe. Slow-simmered beef, beans, and warm spices that feed 6 people.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 0.75 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 32 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 3 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Warm 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- 2
Working in two batches, add the ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes per batch, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until deeply browned and caramelized.
- 3
Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside, leaving any fond in the bottom of the pot.
- 4
Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot.
- 5
Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and begin to soften.
- 6
Stir in the minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and jalapeños, then sauté for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant and the peppers begin to soften.
- 7
Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper directly over the vegetables and stir constantly for about 1 minute to bloom the spices in the oil.
- 8
Add the tomato paste and stir well, cooking for 1-2 minutes to caramelize slightly and deepen the flavor.
- 9
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine with the spice mixture.
- 10
Return the browned beef to the pot and stir to distribute evenly.
- 11
Add the canned tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, and bay leaves, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- 12
Reduce heat to low and cover the pot partially with a lid, then simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom to prevent sticking.
- 13
Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans to the pot and continue simmering uncovered for an additional 30-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- 14
Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with sea salt and black pepper as needed.
- 15
Remove the bay leaves and let the chili rest for 10-15 minutes off the heat before serving, allowing the flavors to fully meld together.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef (80/20 blend) | Ground turkey or lean ground beef (93/7) | Reduces saturated fat and total calories while maintaining protein content and savory depth |
| Beef broth | Low-sodium beef broth or vegetable broth | Decreases overall sodium content without sacrificing umami, making it heart-healthier |
| Kidney beans only | Mixture of kidney beans, black beans, and lentils | Increases fiber diversity and adds different polyphenols for better gut health and blood sugar stability |
| Canned diced tomatoes | Fresh tomatoes (blanched and diced) or crushed tomatoes | Increases fresh nutrient content and reduces added sugars often found in canned products |
| Olive oil (3 tablespoons) | Avocado oil or reduce to 2 tablespoons | Lowers total fat calories while maintaining the spice-blooming step and cooking performance |
| Sea salt to taste | Seasoning salt blend with reduced sodium or potassium chloride | Controls sodium intake for better blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 6)
| Calories | 475 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 68mg |
| Sodium | 580mg |
| Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Fiber | 11g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Protein | 50g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
