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    Home » Beef

    Easy Dutch Oven Chili For Busy Weeknights

    Published: Sep 7, 2023 by Nadja Belgrave · This post may contain affiliate links

    48 shares
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    What's Inside: Enjoy the comfort flavors with this small batch of homemade Dutch Oven chili ready in 30 minutes, cooked on the stove. The perfect recipe for two!

    Chili con carne is one of my favorite childhood meals. My mom made it on the weekends in the slow cooker, which took about 8 hours!

    Two bowls of Dutch oven chili and a bowl with nacho chips.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click to read my policy and more about affiliate links. 

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 📋 Ingredients & Substitutions
    • 📝 How To Make Dutch Oven Chili
    • 🫙Store & Reheat
    • 👩🏽‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • ❓FAQs
    • 🔖 Recipe Variations
    • 🍽 What To Serve With Dutch Oven Chili
    • Other Comfort Food You'll Love
    • Chile con Carne (Dutch Oven)

    I perfected the method to make a small batch with the same flavor. And you'll only need as little as 30 minutes. Making it an excellent meal for weeknight dinners.

    This quick version is made with simple ingredients and my homemade chili seasoning that you'll love.

    Cooking it in a Dutch Oven on your stovetop will mimic the slow cooker method since it maintains the heat, helping it get that rich flavor.

    You can use it in dips or eat it by itself. It's super versatile and filling comfort food. If you want to feed a crowd, you can double or triple-batch it without issues.

    You should try this fantastic meal! Trust me when I say you won't be disappointed.

    ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • This small batch of chili serves 2 and prevents food waste. Enjoy a tasty meal without leftovers.
    • You can double the recipe to enjoy during the week or repurpose it.
    • Have accessible ingredients and easy steps to follow with a flavorful result.
    • Ready in 30 minutes, making it a weeknight meal winner.

    📋 Ingredients & Substitutions

    To make this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:

    • Ground Beef is my favorite chili protein because it's super simple to cook. Recommended 85/15, since the oil it releases will be used to cook the veggies. You can use ground turkey, pork, or beef shanks; these last ones will take longer to cook, so keep that in mind.
    • Chili seasoning adds a rich flavor to the chili, and you can use it in various meals. With this homemade seasoning, there is no need for store-bought packets.
    • Kidney beans: This recipe uses a can, drained and rinsed for a quick chili. If you prefer, you can omit it. If you like other types of beans, you can use pinto, black or white beans.
    • Tomato puree: This ingredient gives a rich flavor, and combined with the seasoning, it's just perfect.
    • Chicken stock: You can use any you have on hand, beef stock or vegetable. 
    • Aromatics: Onion, Garlic, Worcestershire sauce.
    • Salt and brown sugar, this last one balances out all the rich flavors.
    • Oil: optional for browning the meat and sauteing the veggies. You can use any neutral flavored oil, like canola, vegetable, or light olive oil.
    Portioned ingredients in individual bowl for making chili.

    Since this recipe will be cooked on the stove, you'll need a chopping board, a knife, an enameled Dutch Oven, a Spoon or spatula, and a few measuring cups and spoons.

    Now that you have gathered your ingredients let's go through the step-by-step process of making ground beef chili together.

    Enameled Dutch Oven

    This is my favorite one! You can cook many things in it: sauces, curries, you name it. Use it for baking or cooking on the stove.

    Buy Now

    📝 How To Make Dutch Oven Chili

    Prep

    1. The first step for prepping is having all your ingredients and utensils to make the recipe near you.
    1. Chop your onions into small cubes, mince the garlic, and set it aside.
    1. Drain and rinse your kidney beans and set them aside.

    Tip: If you make this on a weekday, you can meal prep these ingredients on the weekend and store them in the fridge to be ready for use.

    1. Measure all the ingredients and have them near your stove or where you plan to cook it.

    Cooking

    Browned ground beef in a Dutch Oven.
    1. In the Dutch oven, sear your ground beef for 2-5 minutes over medium-high heat until it's no longer pink, then transfer to a plate and set aside. Do not remove the fat. This will be used to cook the veggies.

    💡Pro Tip: Properly heating the Dutch oven prevents the ingredients from sticking.

    Sauteed garlic and onion in a Dutch Oven.
    1. If there is no oil in the pot, add 1 teaspoon, then add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. 
    Ground beef with chili seasoning and veggies in a Dutch Oven.
    1. Add the browned ground beef and the chili seasoning and mix. This step will bloom the seasoning spices, giving the meat more flavor.
    Chili ingredients in a Dutch oven before simmering.
    1. Add the tomato puree, drained kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and chicken stock, and mix. Cover and let it simmer at low heat for about 20 minutes. Stirring every so often to prevent it from sticking at the bottom.

    Tip: You can cook it for up to 1 hour since it's a small batch. 

    Simmering ground beef chili in a Dutch Oven.
    Closeup of a ladle with beef chili.
    1. Once the time you chose to simmer is up, taste it and rectify salt if needed. Serve with your favorite side and enjoy a delicious comfort Dutch Oven Chili bowl.

    Check out the What to Serve section with great ideas to pair this dish.

    🫙Store & Reheat

    Fridge: Keeping the chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days is best once the chili has cooled. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from spoiling.

    Freezer: If you made a large batch, use Souper cubes or freezer Ziplock bags; store them in 1-2 cup portions for easier reheating later. This will last about 3 months. Label the container with the date and content. When ready to use, there is no need for thawing. Go directly to reheating on the stove.


    Stove: Place the chili into a saucepan, cover, and cook on medium-low heat or until heated. If reheating from frozen, add a couple of tablespoons of liquid. *Best method

    Microwave: Place it in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon of chicken broth, and heat until piping hot (about 2-3 minutes, depending on the watts of your microwave).

    👩🏽‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Ensure the Dutch oven is hot before adding the oil. This will prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom when browning.
    • Simmer the chili on low heat for longer to enhance the flavors and create a more complex profile.
    • Brown the meat before adding it to the chili for extra flavor.
    • Taste and adjust the seasoning after cooking; this will help enhance the flavor to your liking. You could add more chili seasoning, salt, or pepper.
    • Adjust the thickness of the sauce by reducing or adding more liquid. 
    • The day after, it will have even more flavor. You can cook it the day before and enjoy it later so the ingredients can integrate better.
    • The secret ingredient is unsweetened cocoa powder. This reminded me of when I went to Mexico and tasted a mole sauce with chocolate; it was so rich and funny that it didn't taste chocolaty.

    Meal Prep Tip: Make a larger batch and freeze individual portions for quick meals on busy days. Follow the freezing instructions below.

    ❓FAQs

    Can I Omit the Beans? 

    Absolutely! Don't hesitate to make the recipe your own. By leaving out the beans, you'll achieve a meatier texture.

    Do I need a Dutch Oven?

    A large pot with a heavy bottom and lid will work if you don't have one. If using a Dutch oven, it's better to use an enameled one to prevent corrosion. 

    Why Use a Dutch Oven?

    Cooking chili in a Dutch oven allows consistent heat distribution, resulting in a delicious and evenly cooked meal. Additionally, the Dutch oven's tight-fitting lid helps to lock in the flavors and moisture of the chili, creating a rich and flavorful dish.

    Can I double the recipe?

    Yeap. Double the amount of each ingredient and cook for about 45 minutes to 2 hours. Also, make sure your Dutch oven is big enough.

    🔖 Recipe Variations

    • Want more heat? Add more chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños (add these with the onion at the beginning of the cooking process). Start with 1/4 teaspoon for the flakes and 1/8 teaspoon for the cayenne and increase from there.
    • Not a fan of beans? Skip them.
    • Replace the kidney beans with pinto beans, black beans, white beans, or a mixture of those.
    • Make a vegetarian version by replacing the chicken stock with vegetable one, omitting the ground beef, and using 2-3 canned beans (all the same or different varieties).
    • Add other proteins, like chorizo, bacon, or ground pork.
    • Want more nutrition? Add veggies like zucchini, corn, and bell peppers to bulk the meal.

    🍽 What To Serve With Dutch Oven Chili

    The recipe is intended to serve 2 as a main dish with a small side. You can divide it into 3-4 smaller portions and enjoy it as a small appetizer.

    My favorite way to enjoy this bowl of chili is with white rice. This is not traditional, but it's easy since I always have rice.

    You can also serve it with:

    • Nachos or tortilla chips
    • Bread
    • Cornbread
    • Fried plantains (yellow or green)
    • Arepas
    • Baked potatoes
    • Simple green salad

    Chili Toppings:

    • Cheese (grated cheddar cheese, Monterrey Jack, or crumbled queso fresco)
    • Sour cream
    • Diced avocado
    • Tortilla strips
    • Fresh cilantro

    Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this Chili Con Carne will be the best of both worlds! Add it to your weekly meal rotation and enjoy it.

    Other Comfort Food You'll Love

    Looking for other comfort meals like this? Try these:

    • Plantain Lasagna
    • Dutch Oven Meatballs
    • Red Beans and Ham
    • Eye of Round Steak in Peppercorn Sauce
    • Italian Meatballs
    • Ham Fried Rice

    If you have tried this Dutch oven chili con carne recipe or any other recipe on Nashi Food, remember to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! We love to hear about your cooking experience.

    Chile con Carne (Dutch Oven)

    A top view of a closeup bowl of chili with a spoon in the bowl.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Savor the rich flavors of homemade Dutch Oven chili con carne, ready in 30 minutes and cooked on the stove—perfect small portions for two.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 585kcal
    Author: Nadja Belgrave
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound ground beef, with some fat content of about 85/15
    • 2 tablespoons homemade chili seasoning, review notes for amounts
    • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (16oz)
    • 1 cup tomato puree
    • ¾ cups Low-sodium chicken stock
    • ½ onion, finely chopped (½ cup)
    • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil , optional

    Utensils

    • Enameled Dutch Oven
    • Chopping board
    • knife
    • Spoon or Spatula
    • Few measuring cups and spoons

    Instructions

    Preparation

    • If you need to make the chili seasoning, then mix all the spice ingredients, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cocoa powder, dried oregano, and chili flakes in a small bowl and set aside. Separate 2 Tablespoons from this mixture and store the rest. (See notes for amounts)
    • Dice the onion into small cubes and set aside.
    • Mince the garlic and set aside.

    Cooking

    • In the Dutch oven, sear your ground beef for 2-5 minutes over medium heat until it's no longer pink. Transfer to a plate. Do not remove the fat. This will be used to cook the veggies.
    • If there is not enough oil, add one teaspoon to the Dutch oven, add the onion and garlic to the same pot, and saute until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
    • Add the ground beef and the chili seasoning (1 Tablespoon) to the pot and mix. This step will help the meat get the flavors from the start until the fragrance starts to pull through.
    • Add the tomato puree, drained kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and chicken stock, and mix. Cover and let it simmer at low heat for about 20 minutes. Stirring every so often to prevent it from sticking at the bottom. You can cook it for longer if you prefer, for up to 1 hour since it’s a small batch.
    • Now your kitchen will smell amazing, and you can serve it with some white rice and cheddar cheese and enjoy!

    Notes

    You can cook it for up to 1 hour since it's a small batch. 
    Double the recipe by doubling all the ingredients and cooking for 45 minutes - 2 hours.
     
    Substitutions:
    • Ground Beef: You can use ground turkey, pork, or beef shanks; these last ones will take longer to cook, so keep that in mind.
    • Kidney beans: You can use pinto, black, or white beans or omit them altogether.
    • Chicken stock: You can use any you have on hand, beef stock or vegetable. 
    • Oil: optional for browning the meat and sauteing the veggies. You can use any neutral flavored oil, like canola, vegetable, or light olive oil.
     
    Chili Seasoning Ingredients (to make about 8 servings of 1 Tablespoon)
    • 1½ Tablespoons chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Chile con Carne (Dutch Oven)
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 585 Calories from Fat 225
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 25g38%
    Saturated Fat 9g56%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 10g
    Cholesterol 81mg27%
    Sodium 1418mg62%
    Potassium 1829mg52%
    Carbohydrates 57g19%
    Fiber 17g71%
    Sugar 15g17%
    Protein 37g74%
    Vitamin A 4123IU82%
    Vitamin C 20mg24%
    Calcium 152mg15%
    Iron 10mg56%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share it on Instagram mention @nashifood or tag it #nashifood!

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    Hola! I'm Nadja

    I'm the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Nashi Food. I share Panamanian & Latin recipes made EASY, so you can fit them into your busy schedule ~ even when it's just 2 people!

    More about me here

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    Hola, I'm Nadja! I'm the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Nashi Food. I share Panamanian & Latin recipes made EASY, so you can fit them into your busy schedule ~ even when it's just 2 people! I will make sure that You can still enjoy the Latin food you love and connect with.

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