How to Make Flavorful Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne for an Effortless Weeknight Dinner
Chilli con carne is a beloved dish that warms both the heart and the appetite. It bursts with flavor, is simple to prepare, and works perfectly for any night of the week. By using a slow cooker, you can effortlessly enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort. Simply toss in your ingredients, set it, and wait for the magic to happen. In this post, we'll guide you through a step-by-step process to create a mouthwatering slow cooker chilli con carne that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather your ingredients before starting to cook. For this recipe, you will need:
3 tablespoons oil
500 grams beef mince
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 red pepper, sliced
4 garlic cloves, grated
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 to 3 tablespoons chipotle chilli paste
3 tablespoons tomato puree
400 grams tin chopped tomatoes
400 milliliters beef stock
2 tins black beans
4 small squares dark chocolate
Cooked rice, tortilla chips, and sour cream for serving
Preparing Your Ingredients
Start by prepping your ingredients. Chop the onion, celery, and red pepper. Grate the garlic for even distribution in the dish.
These steps do more than streamline the cooking process. They enhance the flavors as the ingredients mingle during cooking. Having everything ready lets you focus on achieving delicious flavors in your slow cooker.
Cooking the Chilli Con Carne
With your ingredients prepped, it’s time to heat the oil.
In a frying pan over medium heat, add the oil and wait until it shimmers. Add the beef mince and cook until it is browned. This step is essential for developing a rich flavor that enhances the entire dish.
Once the meat is browned, transfer it to the slow cooker.
Then, in the same frying pan, sauté the onion, celery, and red pepper for a few minutes until soft and the onion is translucent. This will create a wonderful flavor base.
Stir in the grated garlic for the last minute of cooking before adding everything to the slow cooker.
Adding the Spices and Liquids
Now that your beef and veggies are in the slow cooker, it's time to spice it up.
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano, which create a rich and aromatic base for the dish. Add the chipotle chilli paste for a delicious smoky kick.
Then mix in the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, and beef stock, along with the drained black beans.
Remember, layering flavors is key, and each ingredient contributes significantly.
The Secret Ingredient: Chocolate
You may be surprised to learn that dark chocolate plays a vital role in this recipe.
Adding a few squares of dark chocolate toward the end of the cooking process enriches the flavor of your chilli con carne without adding sweetness. In fact, studies have shown that incorporating chocolate into savory dishes can elevate their depth, making them even more satisfying. Let your chilli cook on low for around 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
When the timer goes off, and your kitchen is filled with tempting aromas, it’s time to serve your delightful slow cooker chilli con carne.
Ladle the chilli into bowls and serve alongside cooked rice, crunchy tortilla chips, and a generous spoonful of sour cream. Adding fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley will brighten the dish even more.
Your Go-To Weeknight Meal
Creating a flavorful slow cooker chilli con carne is incredibly easy, and the best part is it requires minimal hands-on time.
This dish is ideal for busy weekdays when you want to return home to a hearty meal without the hassle of extensive cooking. Plus, you can easily customize it. Feel free to add more vegetables, adjust the spice level, or experiment with different types of beans.
Whether cooking for a family or having friends over, this chilli con carne is sure to impress. Try it out, and make your weeknight dining a little more special. Happy cooking!
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