Best Mexican Chili con Carne
Spicy, smoky chili made with seasoned ground beef, beans, and tomatoes, served over rice or cornbread. This mexican ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground beef, onions, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onions
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 can black beans
- 1.5 cups rice
- 4 slices cornbread
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown 2 lbs ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 2 diced tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes, then add 1 can black beans and 1.5 cups rice. Simmer for 25 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 3: Serve the chili con carne over warm rice and cornbread, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Mexican Chili con Carne take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Mexican Chili con Carne?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Mexican Chili con Carne?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Mexican Chili con Carne for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Mexican Chili con Carne?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
