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Chile con Carne

Slow-cooked beef stew with beans, chiles, and spices. A hearty, warming Mexican classic that's perfect for cooler evenings.

110 minEasyServes 6420 cal/serving

MexicanDinnerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs beef chuck stew meat, cubed
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 onion, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes (canned)
  • 2 cans kidney beans (canned), drained
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown 3 lbs cubed beef chuck stew meat on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.

  2. 2

    In the same pot, sauté 2 diced onion and 6 minced garlic cloves until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in 4 tbsp chili powder and 2 tsp cumin and cook for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Return beef to the pot. Add 4 cups beef broth, 2 cans diced tomatoes (canned), 4 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 cans drained kidney beans (canned).

  4. 4

    Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, until beef is very tender.

  5. 5

    Season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes if you prefer a thicker stew.

  6. 6

    Ladle into bowls and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with cornbread or over rice.

Questions

Can I make Chile con Carne ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Chile con Carne?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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