Hairy Bikers Chilli Con Carne Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Chilli Con Carne is a hearty and flavourful recipe, which is made with beef mince and red kidney beans. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours.

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Hairy Bikers Chilli Con Carne Ingredients

Chilli:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), diced
• 1 lb / 500g beef mince / ground beef
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g / 28 oz can crushed tomato
• 14 oz / 420g can red kidney beans, drained
• 2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 – 1 1/2 cups / 125 – 375 ml water

Chili Spice Mix:

• 1–2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 4 tsp paprika powder
• 5 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt

To Serve:

• Rice, corn chips, or tortillas
• Sour cream, yoghurt, grated cheese, coriander/cilantro

How To Make Hairy Bikers Chilli Con Carne

1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook for 1 minute. Add the capsicum (bell pepper) and cook for another 2 minutes until the onion is translucent.
2. Brown the beef: Turn the heat up to high and add the beef mince. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon as you go, until it is mostly browned.
3. Toast the spices: Add the Chili Spice Mix to the beef. Continue to cook, stirring, until the beef is browned all over. This step helps to release extra flavour from the spices.
4. Simmer the chilli: Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, crumbled bouillon cubes, sugar, and water (use 1/2 cup for a quick cook or 1 1/2 cups for a slow cook). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Cook to perfection: For a Quick Cook, simmer on medium-low for 20-40 minutes, uncovered, until thickened. For a Slow Cook, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer very gently for 1.5 to 2 hours.
6. Finish and serve: Just before serving, taste and adjust the salt if needed. Serve hot over rice, or with corn chips and tortillas on the side. Top with your favourite garnishes like sour cream, cheese, and coriander.

Recipe Tips

• How to adjust the spice level? The heat comes from the cayenne pepper. Use 1 teaspoon for a mild-medium chilli and up to 2 teaspoons or more for a spicier version. You can always add more at the end.
• Can I use a different type of bean? Yes, this recipe is very flexible. Black beans, pinto beans, or a mix of different beans would all be delicious substitutes for kidney beans.
• Can I make this in a slow cooker? Absolutely. Follow steps 1-3 on the stovetop. Transfer everything to your slow cooker, add 1 1/2 cups of water, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
• How to get the richest flavour? The slow cook method will always yield a richer, more developed flavour as it gives the ingredients more time to meld together.

What To Serve With Chilli Con Carne

This is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways.

• On a bed of fluffy white rice
• With corn chips for dipping
• Alongside warm tortillas or in a burrito
• As a topping for baked potatoes or hot dogs

How To Store Chilli Con Carne

• Refrigerate: Let the chilli cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavour is often even better the next day.
• Freeze: Chilli freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

• Can I make this vegetarian? Yes. To make a vegetarian version, omit the beef and beef bouillon. Use vegetable bouillon instead and add an extra can or two of mixed beans to make it hearty.
• Why is my chilli watery? If your chilli is too thin, simply let it simmer for a little longer with the lid off to allow the excess liquid to evaporate and the sauce to reduce and thicken.
• What kind of beef is best? Lean beef mince (ground beef) with around 10-15% fat content is ideal. The fat adds flavour to the dish.

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Sausage Casserole​ Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Meat And Potato Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Chicken And Leek Pie Recipe