Lean Beef Chili Con Carne

Warm up your table with this hearty and flavorful Lean Beef Chili Con Carne, a comforting classic made lighter with lean ground beef. Packed with protein-rich kidney beans, vibrant red bell peppers, and aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder, this recipe delivers bold, satisfying flavors in every bite. Simmered to perfection in a rich blend of tomatoes and beef broth, this chili boasts a wonderfully thick and hearty texture that pairs beautifully with rice, crusty bread, or tortilla chips. Ready in just under two hours, this one-pot wonder is ideal for cozy family dinners or meal prepping for the week. Garnished with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness, this lean chili recipe is the perfect balance of health-conscious ingredients and indulgent taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 800 grams canned chopped tomatoes
• 400 grams canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 250 milliliters beef broth or stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic and chopped red bell pepper to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the lean ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, ground paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

Step 5

Add the canned chopped tomatoes, beef broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Step 6

Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

Step 7

After 60 minutes, add the drained and rinsed kidney beans to the pot. stir to combine, and cook uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to thicken the chili.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and check the seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.

Step 9

Serve the chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Pair with rice, bread, or tortilla chips as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2376.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1715.6

Total Fat 69.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 309.8mg	0%
Sodium 5122.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.1g	0%
Total Sugars 44.3g
Protein 139.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 393.4mg	0%
Iron 29.1mg	0%
Potassium 3776.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.9%

Protein: 32.1%

Carbs: 32.0%