Healthy Chilli Con Carne Recipe (2024)

Chilli con carne, a classic Tex-Mex dish, is a hearty and flavorful mixture of tender beef, tomatoes, spices, and beans. With its rich, comforting taste and versatility, it's no wonder that chilli con carne has become a staple in households all around the world.

The dish originated in the southern United States, where cowboys would slow-cook beef over an open fire for hours to make it tender. Over time, the dish evolved to include a mixture of ingredients, including tomatoes, spices, and beans. Today, chilli con carne is enjoyed in many variations and is a staple in Tex-Mex cuisine.

The main ingredient, and chief source of protein, in chilli con carne is the beef. In the UK we generally use beef mince in our chilli, while others variations use chunks of beef instead.

The tomatoes add a tangy flavour and help to create the hearty texture of the dish. They can be added in the form of chopped tomatoes (like in this recipe), fresh tomatoes, or tomato sauce. The combination of beef and tomatoes creates a rich, savoury base for the dish.

In addition to beef and tomatoes, chilli con carne also contains a mixture of spices, including chilli powder, cumin, and paprika. I've added in some Worcestershire sauce of a bit of extra zing and the secret ingredient of cocoa powder for added richness.

Finally, the beans. This recipe uses kidney beans for added protein, fiber, and extra flavour to the dish. Red kidney beans are the most common type of bean used in chilli con carne, but other types of beans, such as black beans or pinto beans, can also be used.

Chilli con carne is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be enjoyed on its own, served with rice, or used as a filling for tacos or burritos. It can also be topped with a variety of ingredients, including grated cheese, sour cream, and fresh coriander.

Key Ingredients In Chilli Con Carne

Beef Mince. Go for 5% fat lean beef mince as this helps to keep the calories down and means you don't need to skim any fat off the top.

Worcestershire Sauce. A wonderful addition to many stews, casseroles and chillis to add an extra layer of pizzaz.

Cocoa Powder. Use unsweetened cocoa powder for added richness. If you only have hot chocolate power, that will work but will obviously be much sweeter.

Kidney Beans. Make sure to wash and drain these before you add them to the chilli. Don't just open the tin and dunk them in.

Chilli Flakes.If you like more heat, add more. You could also throw in some fresh chillis too.

Smoked Paprika.This adds a wonderful (unsurprisingly) smoky taste to the dish. A way of pretending you're cooking this outside on a campfire...

Storage Tips

To Store:This will store for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge.

To Reheat: Like most stews and casseroles, this reheats well in the microwave or in a pot on the stove.

To Freeze:This chilli freezes well and can be reheated at a later date.

FAQs

Can I use turkey mince if I don't like beef?

Sure. This recipe works just as well with lean, turkey mince. If you don't like beef, no problem.

What do you serve it with?

This recipe goes best with rice and then as many garnishes as you like: avocado, sour cream, cheese, coriander, lime.....

Can chilli con carne be made vegetarian or vegan?

If you'd rather make a vegetarian or vegan chilli, try this recipe instead Lentil Chilli.

Go forth and cook...