Winter Warming Chili Con Carne

Featured in: Seasonal & Holiday Cooking

This hearty winter chili features tender cubed beef simmered with a blend of beans and warming spices like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Onions, garlic, bell peppers, and optional jalapeño contribute depth and heat, enhanced by rich tomato paste and beef broth. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, it develops a thick, flavorful consistency that's perfect served with toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro. Ideal for cozying up on cold nights.

Updated on Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:23:33 GMT
Hearty Winter Warming Chili con Carne in a dark, rich broth, ready to serve with toppings. Save to Pinterest
Hearty Winter Warming Chili con Carne in a dark, rich broth, ready to serve with toppings. | vectorgrill.com

Winter Warming Chili con Carne A hearty, robust stew featuring tender beef, beans, and warming spices perfect for cold winter nights.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes Category: Main Dish Difficulty: Medium Cuisine: Tex Mex Yield: 6 servings Diet: Gluten Free (if served without bread)

Ingredients

  • Meats: 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck cut into 1/2 inch cubes 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Vegetables: 1 large onion finely chopped 3 cloves garlic minced 1 red bell pepper diced 1 green bell pepper diced 1 jalapeño seeded and minced (optional for extra heat)
  • Canned Goods: 2 x 14 oz (400 g) cans diced tomatoes 1 x 15 oz (425 g) can kidney beans drained and rinsed 1 x 15 oz (425 g) can black beans drained and rinsed 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • Spices & Seasonings: 2 tbsp chili powder 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Liquids: 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
  • Optional Toppings: Sour cream Shredded cheddar cheese Chopped cilantro Sliced green onions Lime wedges

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium high heat Add beef and brown on all sides working in batches if necessary Remove and set aside
Step 2:
In the same pot add onions and cook for 3 4 minutes until softened Add garlic bell peppers and jalapeño cook for another 3 4 minutes
Step 3:
Stir in chili powder cumin paprika oregano cayenne salt and black pepper cook for 1 minute until fragrant
Step 4:
Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly
Step 5:
Return browned beef to the pot Add diced tomatoes (with juice) beef broth kidney beans and black beans Stir well to combine
Step 6:
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low Cover and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally
Step 7:
Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 30 minutes or until the chili thickens and beef is tender
Step 8:
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired Serve hot with your choice of toppings
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| vectorgrill.com

Serve with rice cornbread or tortilla chips for a comforting family meal

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or heavy pot Chefs knife Cutting board Wooden spoon Ladle

Allergen Information

Contains None of the major allergens (milk eggs fish shellfish tree nuts peanuts wheat soy) unless toppings are used If using sour cream or cheese contains dairy Always check canned goods and toppings for hidden allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories 420 Total Fat 13 g Carbohydrates 33 g Protein 40 g (per serving without toppings)

A steaming bowl of Winter Warming Chili con Carne, with visible chunks of beef and beans, delicious aromas. Save to Pinterest
A steaming bowl of Winter Warming Chili con Carne, with visible chunks of beef and beans, delicious aromas. | vectorgrill.com

This chili con carne is a perfect winter warm up that brings the family together around the table

Recipe Questions & Answers

What cuts of beef work best?

Beef chuck cut into cubes is ideal, as it becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.

Can I adjust the heat level?

Yes, reduce or omit the jalapeño and cayenne pepper to make it milder according to taste.

How long should the chili simmer?

Simmer covered for 1 hour, then uncovered for 30 minutes to develop thickness and tenderize the beef.

What are good serving suggestions?

This chili pairs well with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips and can be topped with sour cream, cheese, or cilantro.

Is this suitable for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, when served without bread or other gluten-containing sides, it’s naturally gluten-free.

Winter Warming Chili Con Carne

A hearty stew of tender beef, beans, and spices, perfect for warming cold winter evenings.

Prep Time
20 mins
Time to Cook
90 mins
Overall Time
110 mins
Created by Chloe Moore


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type Tex-Mex

Makes 6 Portions

Dietary Info No Gluten

What You’ll Use

Meats

01 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
02 2 tablespoons olive oil

Vegetables

01 1 large onion, finely chopped
02 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

Canned Goods

01 2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes
02 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
04 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Spices & Seasonings

01 2 tablespoons chili powder
02 2 teaspoons ground cumin
03 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
06 1 teaspoon salt
07 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids

01 2 cups beef broth

Optional Toppings

01 Sour cream
02 Shredded cheddar cheese
03 Chopped cilantro
04 Sliced green onions
05 Lime wedges

How-To

Step 01

Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and brown all sides. Remove beef and set aside.

Step 02

Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, diced red and green bell peppers, and minced jalapeño if using; cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 03

Add spices: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 04

Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute.

Step 05

Combine main ingredients: Return browned beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Step 06

Simmer covered: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 07

Final simmer: Remove lid and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to thicken sauce and tenderize beef.

Step 08

Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with optional toppings.

What You’ll Need

  • Large heavy pot or Dutch oven
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle

Allergy Info

Look over each item for allergens and check with your doctor if unsure.
  • May contain dairy if toppings like sour cream or cheese are added. Otherwise free from major allergens.

Nutrition Breakdown (per portion)

Nutrition data is for learning only—not a substitute for professional medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 420
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Proteins: 40 g