Classic chilli con carne

Name: Classic chilli con carne
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 2 h 15 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: Serves 8
Cuisine: Mexican recipes
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped; Small bunch fresh coriander, leaves picked and kept to one side; stalks reserved; 2 green chillies, finely diced; 1-2 tsp dried red chilli flakes; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1kg good-quality beef mince; 2 tbsp tomato purée; 200ml red wine; 600g canned chopped tomatoes; 2 tbsp black treacle; About 1 litre good-quality beef stock; 2 red peppers, diced; 400g can kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 lime, cut into wedges

Published: 30 Sep 09
Updated: 18 Jul 24

Test kitchen approved

Summer, winter, autumn or spring…one of the ultimate easy crowd feeders has to be a massive chilli con carne on the table. So feed your crowd with our classic chilli con carne recipe. It’s made with red wine, black treacle and a little cinnamon for subtle sweetness.

Want something just as reliable but a little speedier? Check out our quick chilli con carne. Or, take your time and make our best of the best chilli.

Serves 8
Hands on time 25 mins, plus 2¼ hours cooking time

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Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Small bunch fresh coriander, leaves picked and kept to one side; stalks reserved
2 green chillies, finely diced
1-2 tsp dried red chilli flakes
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp dried oregano
1kg good-quality beef mince
2 tbsp tomato purée
200ml red wine
600g canned chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp black treacle
About 1 litre good-quality beef stock
2 red peppers, diced
400g can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 lime, cut into wedges

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large casserole and gently fry the onions, garlic, coriander stalks and chillies for 5 minutes until softened. Stir through the spices and oregano and cook for 2 minutes more.
Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the beef mince and brown it well, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Once browned, add the tomato purée and cook over a medium heat for 2 minutes, then add the red wine, allowing it to reduce to a sticky sauce – this will take about 2 minutes.
Stir through the canned tomatoes and black treacle, and add enough beef stock to cover. Stir well and bring to boiling point. Put the lid on, reduce the heat and simmer for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
Remove the lid, add the red peppers and cook for a further 10 minutes. Then add the kidney beans, season really well and cook for 20 minutes more until the sauce is reduced to your liking. Taste and adjust the heat (with chilli flakes) and seasoning. Top with the coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice and lime wedges.

Recipe from October 2009 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 395kcals
Fat: 22.5g (6.3g saturated)
Protein: 36.9g
Carbohydrates: 18.1g (10.5g sugars)
Salt: 1.5g

FAQs

Can I freeze chilli con carne?
Yes, you can freeze this dish once it's finished. The cooled dish can be frozen in a sealed plastic container for up to 3 months. Defrost fully before reheating until piping hot.

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