
On my continued quest to find the perfect chili, I recently made this simple Chili Con Carne recipe. If you are looking for an easy-to-make chili recipe, this one is for you.

Loosely translated “Chili Con Carne” means “chili with meat”. This chili originated in northern Mexico or southern Texas and contains the usual ingredients you would expect in a chili: peppers, meat, tomatoes, beans and seasonings.

I already had a red bell pepper on hand when I made this chili recipe but you can use whatever you have handy. Each has its own flavor profile but it should not affect the overall flavor of this delicious chili.

If you prefer your chili to be a little “soupier” simply add a little more beef broth or even a little water.
The 2 cups of broth I list on the recipe card is about the consistency you see in the pictures and how I like my chili. Personal preference.

How to Roast Poblano Peppers
Roasting Poblano Peppers might be a challenge for some especially if you’ve never done it before. But don’t stress, I wrote an article on 3 different ways on How to Roast Poblano Peppers.

How Hot Are the Peppers
The Scoville Scale is the measurement that tells you the spiciness of a given type of pepper.
Pepper Type | Scoville Rating (Heat) |
---|---|
Bell Pepper | 0-0 |
Banana Pepper | 0-500 |
Poblano Pepper | 1000-1500 |
Jalapeño Pepper | 2500-8000 |
Serrano Peppers | 10,000-25,000 |
Manzano Pepper | 12,000-30,000 |
Tabasco & Cayenne | 30,000-50,000 |
Habanero Pepper | 100,000-300,000 |
Ghost Pepper | 855,000-1,000,000 |
Carolina Reaper | 1,500,000-2,300,000 |
Once roasted place the pepper in a Ziploc bag for a few minutes to let it sweat which will make it much easier to remove the outer skin. Just be careful as the pepper might still be very hot.

Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Chili Con Carne recipe. For ingredient amounts please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Lean Ground Beef
- Yellow Onion – sweet onion or white onions are good substitutes
- Red Bell Pepper
- Chili Powder – adds a warm, smoky, and mildly spicy flavor
- Ground Cumin – Brings a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor to this recipe
- Diced Tomatoes
- Cornmeal
- Poblano Pepper
- Beef Broth – You can use prepared broth, bouillon cube or even better than bouillon
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dried Oregano – brings a bold, earthy, and slightly peppery flavor
- Salt – a must for most recipes
- Ground Black Pepper – Freshly Ground as much as possible
- Pinto Beans – make sure to rinse and drain the bean before using
How to Make Chili Con Carne
- Add the beef to a large saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking over medium-high heat. Stir in the chili powder and the ground cumin. Mix till combined.
- Stir in the tomatoes, poblano pepper, apple cider vinegar, oregano and cornmeal. Let the chili simmer over low heat for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add the beef broth and beans to the chili and salt & pepper to taste. Let simmer for another 30 minutes.
More Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe Card

Chili Con Carne
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Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lbs Lean Ground Beef
- 1 large Yellow Onion, diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 6 Tbsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Cumin
- 15 oz Diced Tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 Poblano Pepper, roasted, peeled and diced
- 2 Cups Beef Broth
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- 15 oz Pinto Beans, undrained
GARNISHES;
- 1 Scallions, sliced
- Mexican Blend Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Add the beef to a large saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking over medium-high heat. Stir in the chili powder and the ground cumin. Mix till combined.
- Stir in the tomatoes, poblano pepper, apple cider vinegar, oregano and cornmeal. Let the chili simmer over low heat for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add the beef broth and beans to the chili and salt & pepper to taste. Let simmer for another 30 minutes.
I loved this Chili Con Carne. It is so simple to make and ready before you know it. It is done in just about an hour, so when you’re in a hurry it’s the best recipe to make.