Description
This Ground Beef Chili con Carne is a bold, quick-cook version of the classic, made with ground beef, dried chiles, roasted tomatoes, and a savory spice blend. It’s a hearty, smoky, and customizable chili that’s perfect for busy nights or game day.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
2 dried Ancho chiles
2 dried New Mexican chiles (or Guajillos)
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 Roma tomatoes
1–2 chipotles in adobo (optional)
2 cups stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
1 tsp Mexican oregano
1 tsp cumin
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1 can black beans, drained
1 tbsp Masa Harina or 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Wipe chiles clean, de-stem and de-seed them. Roast in a 400°F oven for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Soak in hot water for 20 minutes.
- Roast Roma tomatoes at 400°F for 20–30 minutes until blistered and soft.
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef with salt. Drain excess fat if desired and set aside.
- Sauté chopped onion in oil until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly. Transfer half of this mixture to a blender.
- Return beef to pot. Add oregano, cumin, and black pepper. Simmer over low heat.
- To blender, add soaked chiles, 1 roasted tomato, chipotles (if using), reserved onion-garlic mix, and 1 cup stock. Blend until smooth.
- Pour chile puree into the pot with beef. Add chopped remaining tomatoes, remaining stock, and beans. Stir to combine.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes. Thicken with Masa Harina or cornstarch slurry if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve hot with toppings like crema, cilantro, tortilla strips, or lime wedges.
Notes
- Substitute Guajillo chiles if Ancho or New Mexican chiles aren’t available.
- For less heat, omit chipotles and reduce red pepper content.
- Thicken with Masa Harina for traditional flavor or cornstarch for convenience.
- Customize with diced beef, turkey, or make vegetarian with lentils or mushrooms.
- Leftovers improve with time and are great for meal prep or freezing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
