Chili Con Carne with Ancho Chiles

close up shot of chili con carne with toppings

https://meganvskitchen.com/texas-chili-con-carne-with-ancho-chiles/

Chili Con Carne with Ancho Chiles

This Texas Chili Con Carne is made with dried ancho chiles, chipotle peppers, and ground beef. True to Texas-style chili, skips the beans and tomatoes, and delivers a rich, hearty flavor that’s perfect for baked potatoes, hot dogs, or enjoying by the bowl.

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 35

Total Time 1

Servings Servings

Ingredients

3 dried ancho chile peppers
½ white onion diced
1 pound ground beef 85-90%
3 garlic cloves minced
3 canned chipotle peppers
3 cups beef broth divided
½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Pour boiling water over dried chiles in a bowl. Let soak for 15 minutes, or until softened.
While the chiles soak, dice the onion. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat, until fully browned, about 6 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Remove the stems and seeds from the softened chiles (they will be hot). Add them to a blender along with the chipotle peppers, 1½ cups beef broth, salt, cumin, and oregano. Blend until smooth.
Pour the blended chili sauce into the pan along with the remaining 1½ cups of beef broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the chili becomes too thick, add additional beef broth as needed. Taste and adjust salt before serving.

Notes

Add More Spice: Ancho chiles are mild, and the chipotle peppers add only a small amount of heat, so this chili is overall very mild. If you want more spice, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce at the end. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.

Adjust Thickness: If your chili gets too thick while simmering, add broth a few tablespoons at a time. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer, uncovered.

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