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Chilli Con Carne

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This easy Chilli Con Carne recipe is a rich, hearty one-pot meal made with spiced beef, kidney beans, and a touch of dark chocolate. Packed with bold flavor and ready for batch cooking, it’s a comforting classic for any night of the week.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
  • 1 lb (450g) beef mince (10% fat)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon mild chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 1 can (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato puree
  • 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup hot beef stock
  • 1 square (about 10g) dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat sunflower oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add beef mince and cook for 5–10 minutes, breaking it up until browned.
  3. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in onion, garlic, chilli powder, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  4. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to toast the spices.
  5. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, kidney beans, red pepper, and beef stock. Stir well and cover.
  6. Simmer gently for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the dark chocolate until melted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Serve hot with rice, tortilla chips, or baked potatoes.

Notes

  • Use turkey mince or a mix of beans for a lighter or vegetarian version.
  • Dark chocolate adds richness—avoid substituting with milk chocolate.
  • Add sweetcorn, mushrooms, or courgette to sneak in extra vegetables.
  • Chilli tastes even better the next day—great for make-ahead meals.
  • Freeze in portions for up to 3 months; reheat from frozen or thaw overnight.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/chilli-con-carne/