Chili Con Carne is a hearty, protein packed chili perfect for tailgating season! This is an easy make-ahead-meal that you can make in a crockpot or on the stove. Chuck roast is slow cooked to create tender beef that mixes with your favorite chili ingredients! 

CHILI CON CARNE

Fall and tailgating season is here and this chile con carne is the perfect addition to your table.

The weather is starting to change in Ohio and the air is getting crisp and cool. 

Whenever we hit fall I am ready for big hearty bowls of chili like today’s Chili Con Carne and this is a great recipe for that.

Other chili recipes I really like are this Beef Chili, Easy Instant Pot Beef Chili and this Beef Poblano Black Bean Chili.

You might be wondering what Chili Con Carne is? 

Chili con carne means “chili with meat” and is a spicy stew containing chili peppers, beef, tomatoes and kidney beans. It originated in northern Mexico or Southern Texas.

I am excited to be celebrating tailgating season with the Ohio Beef Council and share more about the over 17,000 Ohio beef farmers with you guys. 

I have met many beef farmers in person and they are some of the hardest working people I know and they truly care for their animals. 

The Ohio beef farming community never takes a day off.

Dedicated farmers work tirelessly to provide safe, wholesome food to American families.

Cattle farmers, truck drivers, retailers, and others in the beef farming community continue to produce and deliver fresh, healthy beef.

The Ohio beef community includes more than just farmers!

Small business owners, community leaders, animal caretakers, nutritionists and environmentalists are all dedicated to producing nutritious beef.

Although many believe that industrial farming has taken the place of family farms and ranches, 97 percent of beef farms are family-owned and operated. 

Recipe Ingredients

• Chuck Roast: The star of this hearty chili is the cubed beef or chuck roast {or you can use pot roast}. The beef is slow cooked and creates the most tender, juicy beef in the chili.
• Garlic Cloves: I suggest fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor. If you don’t have fresh then try garlic powder.
• Vegetables: This chili uses sweet Onion, bell pepper and diced tomatoes. If you want to add other vegetables try poblanos, red onion, carrots or celery.
• Beans: I used light and dark kidney beans in this chili but you can use any bean you like. Some others I like are chickpeas, white beans, black beans and pinto beans. 
• Spices: There are a lot of spices in this chili which really creates a rich, warm flavor. You can feel free to modify them to your liking. I used chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano , thyme, coriander, cinnamon and paprika. These will all help create a rich chili sauce.
• Beef Broth: I added beef broth to this soup but if you don’t have that on hand any broth works. Try my homemade beef bone broth.

How Do You Make Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne

1. Brown Chuck Roast: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and heat to medium heat. Brown all sides of your chuck roast.

2. Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and then add the chuck roast submerging it as much as you can.

3. Cook Chili: Cook the chili on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

4. Garnish & Serve: When the chili is done cooking use two forks to shred the beef and mix the beef back in the chili.

Serve warm with fresh cilantro, sour cream, corn chips, green onions and cheddar cheese. I like to add flour tortillas to the side or tortilla chips and a side of Mexican rice and refried beans.

Tip: You can also make this in a large dutch oven. Just brown the meat, add in the remaining ingredients and simmer for 2 hours. 

Storage Tips:

You can store the chili in the fridge or up to 4 days. You can freeze the chili in an air tight container for up to 6 months.

Modifications for Chili Con Carne

I love modifying recipes based on what is in my fridge and pantry. Here are some ideas to mix up your carne con chile rojo:

• Beans: Add a variety of beans. Some of my favorites in chili are white beans, chickpeas or navy beans. 
• Tomato: You can add a small amount of tomato sauce if you like your chili to be a thinner, more tomato based dish.  If you want a thicker dish you can add tomato paste. 
• Hominy: If you have a can of hominy in the pantry throw that in. We love the texture it adds to chili.
• Spice: For the spicy chili lovers, chop up a jalapeño or chili peppers and throw that in. You can also add hot sauce and extra cayenne pepper.
• Peppers: If you love the flavor of poblanos you can easily add a chopped poblano when you are cooking your bell pepper and onion. You also could add in hot peppers like habanero peppers, ancho chiles, jalapeños, red chile or Fresno pepper. 
• Veggie: Extra vegetables are always a nice addition to chili. Some that I love are carrots, celery, bell peppers, hot peppers and radishes. 
• Acid: You can add lime juice for a light, tangy flavor and the acidity balances the chili. 
• Sugar: Add a touch of brown sugar which adds a nice sweet flavor alongside the beef. 
• Cocoa Powder: Another ingredient I like to add to chili from time to time is cocoa powder. It adds to the depth of flavor and sweetness. 
• Sauce: You can enhance the sauce by adding red enchilada sauce.

Is Beef Nutritious?

• There’s no stronger protein source than beef! One 3 oz cooked serving of beef provides half your Daily Value of protein (25 grams), for under 200 calories.
• Beef supplies 10 essential nutrients, including B-vitamins, zinc, niacin, phosphorus and iron, which helps support an active lifestyle. 
• Beef supports a healthy lifestyle! Research shows that enjoying protein-rich foods can help curb cravings, maintain muscle during weight loss, and maintain healthy levels of blood sugars and cholesterol.
• Feeding your family a balanced diet with nutrient-rich foods, like beef, helps support their immune system and promotes a healthy body.
• The protein in beef helps keep student athletes focused during the school day, and the B vitamins in beef provide students with energy to perform at their best. 
• In uncertain times, it’s helpful to focus on things we can control, like fueling our bodies and minds with well-balanced meals, physical activity and other healthy habits. OhioBeef.org is a great resource for tasty recipes and nutrition information for you and your family.

Tips for Buying and Cooking Beef

• Prepping Beef: The secret to preparing beef outside of your kitchen, like at a tailgate, is prepping as much of the meal as possible beforehand. Some meals, like Chili con Carne, can be completely prepped before leaving home, making cooking and serving extra easy! 
• Keep Beef Cold in Hot Weather: No matter where you’re cooking outdoors, it’s essential to keep beef fresh in a cooler until it’s time to cook. Make sure the cooler is well insulated and free of leaks to ensure beef remains at a safe temperature of 35-40°F. 
• Did you know that there is no need to bring beef to room temperature before cooking? Straight from the refrigerator or cooler works effectively and ensures food safety. 
• Ground beef can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a crowd favorite. When purchasing, be sure to select ground beef with a bright, red color that is firm to the touch and doesn’t have excessive liquid in the package. Store ground beef in your refrigerator for 1-2 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months in an airtight container. 

Other Chili Recipes You Might Like:

Instant Pot Turkey Chili 

Vegetarian Chili 

Easy Pork Chili 

Instant Pot Chili Verede 

Green Chili Chicken Soup

Vegetarian Chili Recipe 

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Today’s post is sponsored by the Ohio Beef Council. As always, opinions are 100% my own.