Warming, hearty and full of beans, chilli con carne is a top tier stew that keeps fantastically well, is perfect for freezing in batches and can be served over rice, on jacket potatoes, under a runny fried egg or simply piled high on its own in a comfortingly big bowl. Here are our tips on how to zhuzh up this classic:
Change up your chilli
If the word chilli gets main billing in a dish’s moniker, you better make it count. Having said that, this doesn’t always mean making your meal taste as volcanic as Mount Vesuvius! By all means be adventurous with your chilli if fire-hot heat from Birds Eye chilli flakes is what you prefer. However, a smoky Ancho chilli or warming Chipotle will lend your stew a deeper savoury note that doesn’t leave you in need of a sweat band. The warming spices commonly found in this dish, such as cinnamon, cumin, paprika and oregano, work wonderfully with both these varieties of chilli too.
Use pinto or black beans
If using traditional kidney beans feels old hat, have fun with using pinto, cannellini or black beans for a twist on a regular chilli con carne. This trio of beans retain their structure but become creamier in the middle as they cook, adding texture and substance to your chilli.
Enrichen with chocolate and coffee
Underscore the meaty flavour of your chilli by adding a few squares of dark chocolate, a shot of espresso or a spoonful of cocoa powder to it while it’s bubbling away on the stove. It will enrichen your stew in a way you can’t quite put your finger on.
Sprinkle in some MSG
The tiniest pinch of ajinomoto (also known as MSG or flavour enhancer) instantly adds depth to a chilli that’s failed to find its mojo. It’s a quick rescue trick that will make it taste extra-savoury by stimulating the umami tastebuds in our mouths.
Add cooling toppings and fun extras
A generous dollop of crème fraiche, sour cream or calming Greek yoghurt complements the complex flavours of a chilli con carne and softens the dish deliciously. Little extras that you’ve taken time over, like finely sliced spring onions, green crescents of ripe avocado or diced red onion, lend it another layer of freshness and flavour by elevating its texture. Drizzle over a smidgen of garlicky chilli oil to hit every tastebud and turn a weekday chilli into a Saturday night experience. But don’t get fancy with the cheese – the appeal of a homely dish like chilli is the oodles of grated cheddar piled high on top in thick unassuming strands.
Step things up with crunchies
The tenderness of a slow-cooked chilli con carne needs crunch. Serve tortilla chips, crackers or cornbread alongside it or place them in the bowl itself just before serving so they can be used as edible spoons to scoop up all the goodness with. Skip plain tortilla chips and select ones made with blue corn or fancy ones flavoured with beetroot, spinach and sweet potato that look pretty on your plate.
Refrigerate it for a flavour boost
Two things that benefit from a little space? Rowing couples and chilli con carne. If you can avoid the temptation to eat your chilli off your wooden spoon while it’s searingly hot then pop it in the fridge overnight and reheat it tomorrow. The beans will absorb more liquid, the acidity of the tomatoes will mellow and the flavour of your chilli will deepen. Better yet, freeze it! The freezing, defrosting and reheating process will tenderise the meat even further.
FAQs
Adding star anise lends the dish a sweet and spicy flavour that is not dissimilar to liquorice, too. Alternatively, add a little Caribbean spice, such as a scotch bonnet chilli, for those who love a little extra heat.
How do you increase the spice in chili? ›
If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.
What can I add to my chili to give it more flavor? ›
Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.
How to enrich chilli con carne? ›
Enrich a classic chilli con carne with peanut butter, espresso powder and dark chocolate for a decadent boost. It may sound strange, but we promise you won't look back. Find more reinventions on classics in our best comfort food recipe collection.
What adds spice to chili? ›
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
What makes chilli con carne better? ›
7 Tips To Zhuzh Up A Chilli Con Carne
- Use pinto or black beans. ...
- Enrichen with chocolate and coffee. ...
- Add cooling toppings and fun extras. ...
- Step things up with crunchies. ...
- Refrigerate it for a flavour boost.
Store bought or homemade, keep some pickled banana peppers, cayenne pepper powder, or diced jalapenos (with or without seeds!) on the table so your guests have the option of dialing up the spice or keeping it completely turned down.
What makes can chili taste better? ›
Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
What makes chili taste spicy? ›
What makes chillies hot? Capsaicin is the main substance in chilli peppers that provides the spicy heat. It binds to receptors that detect and regulate heat (as well as being involved in the transmission and modulation of pain), hence the burning sensation that it causes in the mouth.
What is a secret ingredient for chili? ›
A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.
Add a touch of sweetness
Chili is rich, deep and often spicy, so adding a sweet ingredient is a great way to create balanced flavor. We've found that adding diced carrots is the easiest way to add natural sweetness, but you can also use vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash.
What is my chili missing? ›
Sometimes after a long simmer, your chili will taste wonderful be maybe missing one little thing you can't figure out. Try a tad bit of vinegar or a squeeze of lime! The acidity in vinegar & limes bring a good roundness to the pot and binds all the flavors together.
How to spice up a chili con carne? ›
Tip to increase the flavour
Rather than add the teaspoon of sugar, you can stir in a small piece of chocolate (about the size of your thumbnail) when you add the beans. Any plain dark chocolate will do. Be careful not to add too much – you don't want to be able to identify the flavour of the chocolate.
Why is my chilli con carne bland? ›
If there's not enough salt it will taste flat. Or maybe more chili powder. I little Cayenne is always good unless you are feeding children or very sensitive people. If people like it spicy, you can add hot sauce or hotter chile powder, like New Mexico, for example.
What not to put in chili? ›
Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.
How do you fix bland chili con carne? ›
You can use sauce, diced, whole, even rotel for some kick. Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili. Just add a little at a time until it tastes the way you want it too.
How do you add depth of Flavour to chili con carne? ›
In this recipe, red wine, Worcestershire sauce and beef stock add depth of flavour and some sweetness, but you can also add a square or two of dark chocolate at the end. Also, browning the meat thoroughly will add lots of flavour (see the technique video at the bottom of the page for tips on how to brown meat).
What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›
Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.
