🌶️ Chili con carne
Chili con carne (Spanish for “chili with meat”) is a spicy stew made primarily with meat, chili peppers, and often tomatoes and beans. It’s a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, especially in the southern United States.
🇺🇸 Origins
Chili is strongly associated with Texas. The dish evolved in the 1800s and became popular through “chili queens” in San Antonio.
Traditional Texas-style chili (sometimes called “Texas Red”) often does not include beans.
🥘 Basic Ingredients
- Ground beef (or cubed beef)
- Chili peppers or chili powder
- Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- Onion & garlic
- Cumin, paprika, oregano
- Beans (kidney or pinto — optional depending on style)
👨🍳 Simple Cooking Method
- Brown the beef with chopped onion and garlic.
- Add spices and toast briefly.
- Stir in tomatoes and chili peppers.
- Simmer 30–60 minutes (longer = deeper flavor).
- Add beans near the end if using.
🧀 Popular Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Jalapeños
- Cornbread or tortilla chips on the side
🌎 Variations
- Texas Chili – No beans, chunks of beef.
- Cincinnati Chili – Spiced with cinnamon and served over spaghetti.
- White Chili – Made with chicken and white beans.
- Vegetarian versions with lentils or plant-based meat.
If you’d like, I can give you a detailed authentic Texas-style recipe or a quick 20-minute version.
