Basic Chili Con Carne With Beef and Beans

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 105 mins

Soak, Cook Beans: 9 hrs

Total: 11 hrs 10 mins

Servings: 6 servings

This ground beef chili is made with canned or cooked dry beans. The beef mixture is slowly simmered and then the cooked or canned beans are added to the mixture. Finely chopped jalapeño peppers are added for more heat, but they are optional. 

Serve this great tasting beef and bean chili with freshly baked cornbread and a salad.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried red beans, or 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans or small red beans, drained

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes

• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1 (4.5-ounce) can green chile peppers

• 2 teaspoons jalapeño pepper, finely chopped, optional

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• Dash cayenne pepper, or to taste

• Dash ground cloves

• 1 small bay leaf

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Prepare beans (unless using canned.) Rinse dry beans, cover with cold water to a depth of about 3 inches above beans; let soak overnight or follow soaking directions on package.

   

3. Drain beans and transfer to a large saucepan; cover with fresh water.

   

4. Cover pan and simmer for about 1 hour or until beans are tender. Drain and place to the side.

   

5. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet, then brown ground beef, onion, and bell pepper together until ground beef is no longer pink.

   

6. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chile and jalapeño peppers, seasonings, and bay leaf and stir.

   

7. Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes, adding a little water if needed to thin out. Check and stir frequently.

   

8. Add cooked or canned beans and heat through.

   

9. Serve in individual bowls with your choice of toppings and enjoy.

   

Tip

• If using canned beans, drain them in a colander and rinse with cool water and continue with the remaining instructions as stated above.