This is the easiest chili recipe ever. It doesn’t require any chopping or sautéing. You throw all the ingredients together in an instant pot and open to find them magically transformed into a warm and delicious chili con carne.
Fresh minced meat, tangy tomato puree, plenty of colorful vegetables and some aromatic spices. Who wouldn’t like this combination. And if it’s as easy as putting everything together and chanting ‘Abrakadabra’ to turn it into food. My kids especially love to make it together with me. It’s a very safe recipe to be made with kids as they can put all the ingredients together into the instant pot . You can then close the lid and adjust the settings. Ask the kids to say their favorite magic spell and open the lid to find a delicious chili con carne, waiting to be devoured.
Summary of the ingredients:
Beef mince: I like to use 80% lean beef mince for my recipe.
Frozen mixed vegetables: My kids like a mix of peas, corns, carrots and cauliflower. This mixed vegetable pack is available with the name ‘Buttergemüse’ at all the grocery stores in Germany in the freezer section. You do not need to thaw the vegetables. You can conveniently take out the packet from the freezer and add it directly into the pot. You can use any variation of your favorite frozen vegetables.
Tomato Puree: I use smooth tomato puree (passierte Tomaten) as my kids do not like chunks of tomatoes in their food. But you could also use canned tomato in chunks.
Kidney beans: Use pre-boiled, canned kidney beans (Kidney Bohnen).
Spice mix: I make my own chili mix at home by combining onion powder, garlic powder, paprika powder, cumin powder, black pepper powder, cayenne powder, oregano and salt. You can make a big batch and store into an airtight container. If you have it already made beforehand, it will make the process even quicker.
Ways to serve the chili con carne
- Serve with baguette: You can serve the chili into a bowl along with a side of baguette. Add a dollop of sour cream for some extra creaminess.
- Make a rice bowl: You can turn it into a chili-rice bowl by adding a layer of boiled rice into the bottom and topping it with chili con carne.
- Use it as pasta sauce: I make a big batch of this chili con carne as my kids love it with their pasta too. Add to any favorite pasta of your choice, along with some olive oil.
- Serve with mixed salad: For a healthier version, serve a mixed salad on the side. It provides a nice crunch and brings some lightness to the meal.
What if you do not have an instant pot?
In case you do not have an instant pot you can either make it using a pressure cooker (which takes almost the same time) or cook it in a normal pot (which will take longer).
- Pressure cooker instructions: Put all your ingredients into the pressure cooker. Give a good mix. Put the lid on (sealing) and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes.
- Normal Pot/Saucepan Instructions: Put all the ingredients into the pot, alongwith 1 cup of water. Cover with a lid and let cook on medium low heat for 1 hour.
Magic Chili Con Carne
Equipment
- Instant pot
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 400 grams (1½ cups) Beef mince (80% lean)
- 500 grams (2 cups) Tomato puree (substitute: canned tomato chunks)
- 300 grams (1½ cups) Frozen Mixed Vegetables of choice (We use Buttergemüse)
- 400 grams (1½ cups) Canned Kidney Beans (with water)
Chili spice mix:
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1-2 tsp cayenne powder (adjust to preferred spice levels)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to your instant pot. No need to saute or brown anything. Give a good mix.
- Put the lid on. Set to pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Set valve to sealing position.
- After 20 minutes are over, quick release the pressure by turning valve to venting position.
- Serve into bowls. Optionally, you can add a dollop of sour cream and some chopped spring onion for some extra flavor.
- You can serve it in any of the ways mentioned above.
Notes
- Pressure cooker instructions: Put all your ingredients into the pressure cooker. Give a good mix. Put the lid on (sealing) and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes.
- Normal Pot/Saucepan Instructions: Put all the ingredients into the pot, alongwith 1 cup of water. Cover with a lid and let cook on medium low heat for 1 hour.