Hearty Texas Chili Con Carne
This Hearty Texas Chili Con Carne is a beloved family recipe that has been refined over the years from an old 'Make a Mix' cookbook. Rich in flavor and abundant in ingredients, this chili showcases a delightful blend of beans, meats, and spices that create a hearty, comforting meal perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in. It can be easily prepared in a slow cooker for added convenience. For a twist, use leftover pulled pork instead of ground meat. I love serving it over a bed of creamy macaroni and cheese, with warm cornbread on the side, ensuring every bite is a delightful mix of flavors. Plus, it freezes well, making it ideal for meal prepping!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pinto Beans
1 (canned, 15 ounces)
White Beans
1 (canned, 15 ounces)
Kidney Beans
1 (canned, 15 ounces)
Black Beans
1 (canned, 15 ounces)
Ranch Style Beans
2 (canned, 15 ounces each)
Diced Tomatoes
1 (canned, 28 ounces)
Tomato Sauce
1 (canned, 28 ounces)
Unsweetened Chocolate
1 (square)
Stout Beer
1 (bottle, 12 ounces)
Flour
3 (tablespoons)
Dried Ancho Chile Powder
4.5 (teaspoons)
Seasoning Salt
4 (teaspoons)
Red Pepper Flakes
1.5 (teaspoons)
Brown Sugar
1.5 (teaspoons)
Cumin
1.5 (teaspoons)
Cayenne Pepper
0.75 (teaspoons)
Lean Ground Beef
2 (pounds)
Green Bell Peppers
2 (chopped)
Red Onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
6 (minced)
Instructions
1
In a very large stew pot, combine all the canned beans (pinto, white, kidney, black, and ranch-style), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, unsweetened chocolate square, and stout beer. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, ancho chile powder, seasoning salt, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, cumin, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
3
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, stirring in the dry seasoning mix. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat and transfer the meat into the simmering pot.
4
Using the same skillet, add the chopped green bell peppers, red onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the peppers just begin to brown, then add this mixture to the pot.
5
Allow the chili to simmer on low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. The longer the chili simmers, the more the flavors will meld together, resulting in a richer taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Texas Chili Con Carne?
Hearty Texas Chili Con Carne is a rich, flavorful chili featuring a blend of beans, meats, and spices, inspired by a recipe from a 'Make a Mix' cookbook.
How many types of beans are in this recipe?
This recipe uses five different types of beans: pinto, white, kidney, black, and ranch-style beans.
Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Yes, this chili can be easily prepared in a slow cooker for added convenience.
What is a good meat substitute for ground beef in this chili?
For a flavorful twist, you can use leftover pulled pork instead of lean ground beef.
What are the recommended side dishes for this chili?
This chili is delicious served over creamy macaroni and cheese or with a side of warm cornbread.
Why is unsweetened chocolate included in the recipe?
One square of unsweetened chocolate is added to provide a deeper, richer flavor to the chili base.
What kind of beer is used in the ingredients?
The recipe calls for one 12-ounce bottle of stout beer.
Is this chili suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, this chili freezes very well, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping.
How long should the chili simmer?
The chili should simmer on low heat for at least an hour, though longer simmering results in a richer taste.
What type of chile powder is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for 4.5 teaspoons of dried ancho chile powder.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe requires two pounds of lean ground beef.
What vegetables are needed for the chili base?
You will need two green bell peppers, one red onion, and six cloves of garlic.
What is the purpose of the flour in the spice mix?
The flour is mixed with the dry seasonings and browned with the meat to help thicken the chili.
How many cans of beans are needed in total?
You will need six 15-ounce cans of beans: one each of pinto, white, kidney, and black beans, plus two cans of ranch-style beans.
What size cans of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes and one 28-ounce can of tomato sauce.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1.5 teaspoons of brown sugar to balance the spices.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The six cloves of garlic should be minced before being sautéd with the onions and peppers.
What spices give this chili its heat?
The heat comes from a combination of ancho chile powder, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.
When should I add the dry seasoning mix?
The dry seasoning mix should be stirred into the ground beef while it is browning in the skillet.
Should I drain the fat from the meat?
Yes, once the ground beef is cooked through with the seasonings, you should drain any excess fat before adding it to the pot.
What is the first step in making this chili?
Combine the canned beans, tomatoes, sauce, chocolate, and beer in a large stew pot and bring them to a gentle simmer.
What type of onion is best for this recipe?
One chopped red onion is used for its flavor profile.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
The recipe is designed for 28 ounces of canned diced tomatoes, but fresh can be used if you adjust for liquid content.
How many cloves of garlic are used?
This recipe uses six cloves of minced garlic for a robust flavor.
Is this a family recipe?
Yes, it is a beloved family recipe that has been refined over many years.
What color bell peppers should I use?
The recipe specifically recommends using two chopped green bell peppers.
How much seasoning salt is required?
The recipe calls for four teaspoons of seasoning salt.
What is the consistency of this chili?
It is a hearty, thick chili due to the abundance of beans, meat, and the addition of flour.
Can I substitute the stout beer?
While stout beer adds a specific depth, you could substitute with beef broth or a different dark ale.
How often should I stir the chili while it simmers?
You should stir the chili occasionally during its one-hour simmer to ensure it doesn't stick and the flavors combine.