Chili Con Carne made with beer, bacon and beef... I mean, what's not to love?
It's the quintessential game day / cold weather / comfort food and this recipe will make you swoon. It all starts with cooking down some bacon, as many great recipes do, and then everything goes into 1 pot, simmers down until it's thick and meaty and then topped with any number of fun add ons like sour cream, shredded cheddar, MORE crumbled bacon, and an avocado salsa which is just avocado, red onion, chives, lime juice, salt and pepper. Similiar to this Guacamole Salsa. Doesn't get much easier that this! While you're at it, you should also try out my epic Carne Asada Nacho Fries. But for now, throw a pot of this Chili Con Carne on the stove early Sunday morning and it's sure to be demolished before halftime!
And while I used a Negra Modelo to make this - you can easily leave out the beer and replace it with a bit more stock if that's more your jam. Either way, you'll be obsessed.
Chili Con Carne
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- Kosher salt
- ¼ cup chili powder 4 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 12- ounce bottle Negra Modelo beer
- 1 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 28 - ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups beef broth plus more if needed
- 2 15- ounce cans black beans drained and rinsed
Toppings:
- Freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- sliced scallions
- sour cream
- avocados
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the saucepan (reserve the drippings). Increase the heat to medium high, add the beef and cook, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon; wipe out the pan.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon drippings in the dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano and tomato paste and cook for 6 minutes (add a splash of water if the mixture begins to stick). Add the beer and simmer until almost completely reduced, about 3 minutes. Stir in the beef and any juices from the plate; add the cocoa powder, tomatoes, beef broth and beans and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens slightly, about 90 minutes.
- Season with salt. Add some beef broth if the chili is too thick. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, cheese, scallions and/or sour cream + chunky avocado salsa
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
My new go to chili recipe. Been trying recipes over the years and this is a crowd pleaser. Best of all it’s simple, some I’ve tried are very involved with ingredients that are not available depending on your location (we move around). Some like it hot here so they add whatever their preference - works for everyone!
Best ever chili! Will be a definite repeat this winter!!
Hi Gaby, I was recently diagnosed with a gluten allergy. I love a beer in my chili- always. Last week I couldn't find a gluten free beer at my grocery store so, I used a hard cider in my chili. It was interesting, but I think it would be delish with a while chicken chili or something similar. I'd love to see your spin on this type of recipe in the future 🙂
Thank you!
Hey Christa!! Check out my friend Heather Christo - she does tons of GF recipes!! But stay tuned for more chili recipes this fall and winter
This looks amazing! I'm making it for sure : )
Does SMC have you on their list to be at a Gael event? If not, I hope that they put you on the list! I would definitely go!
Not that I know of - no one has contacted me about it!
Looks really great, going to try it this week!
Just a general question: for how many persons are all your recipes? I can not find it on your website?
Everything is 4-6 people 🙂
Great, thank you!
I have not heard of this type of beer, will any beer do?!
any lager will work!
Can I do this in a slow cooker or pressure cooker? If so how?
great question! I haven't tried it in either but I think a slow cooker would absolutely work!
We LOVE chili!! I made you guacamole also the other day it was delicious. I must make it again with this chili. Perfect for a winter dinner!