Mexican Chili Con Carne
A hearty, spiced chili made with ground beef, beans, and tomatoes, perfect for a cozy family dinner. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs Ground beef, medium (1/2 lb) Onion, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 medium (1/2 lb) Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 medium (14 oz each) Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 can (15 oz) Black beans
- 1/2 cup Corn kernels
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking into small pieces. Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to toast spices.
- Step 3: Add 2 diced tomatoes and 1 can black beans. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup corn kernels and 1 cup water. Cook for 5 minutes until the chili thickens. Serve hot with rice or tortillas.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mexican Chili Con Carne take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 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 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 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 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 Mexican Chili Con Carne?
Mexican one pot 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to quick meals dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
