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CHILI CON CARNE WITH AVOCADO SALSA & JALAPEÑO CREAM — A RICH, SPICY MEXICAN-INSPIRED FEAST

By Delicious Recipes!Posted on
CHILI CON CARNE WITH AVOCADO SALSA & JALAPEÑO CREAM — A RICH, SPICY MEXICAN-INSPIRED FEAST

CHILI CON CARNE WITH AVOCADO SALSA & JALAPEÑO CREAM — A RICH, SPICY MEXICAN-INSPIRED FEAST

This chili con carne boasts deep, concentrated beef flavor infused with authentic Mexican spices and smoky chipotle peppers — all without the heaviness of added tomatoes, just a hint of tomato paste. The fresh avocado salsa and cooling jalapeño cream provide a vibrant, refreshing contrast, making this dish a perfect balance of smoky heat and creamy freshness. Serve it with simple boiled rice for a complete, satisfying meal.

🕒 Prep Time: 20 min

🍳 Cook Time: 2.5 hours (mostly slow cooking)
🍽️ Yields: 4-5 servings

Ingredients

For the Chili Con Carne:

  • 650 g ground beef (or beef-pork mix for a milder taste)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3–4 large garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste (60 g)
  • 1½ tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 heaping tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp chili flakes (preferably guajillo flakes)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 dried chipotle peppers (smoked and dried jalapeños)
  • 500 ml water
  • 3 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 can (400 g) red kidney beans, drained
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Jalapeño Cream:

  • 200 g buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 green jalapeño pepper
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Zest of 1 small lime
  • Pinch of chili flakes
  • Salt to taste

Avocado Salsa:

  • 8–10 sprigs fresh parsley
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp lime juice

Garnish:

  • Cooked rice (about 50 g uncooked rice per serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chipotle Peppers

  • Soak dried chipotle peppers in hot water until softened, set aside until needed.

2. Brown the Meat

  • Heat a large skillet (28–30 cm) and add oil.
  • Add ground beef in two batches, stirring frequently until no longer pink and slightly browned.
  • Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper while cooking.
  • Transfer cooked meat to a heavy pot or Dutch oven (ideally oven-safe). Try to leave as much fat as possible in the skillet.

3. Sauté Vegetables and Build Flavor

  • In the leftover fat, sauté diced onion over low heat until very soft and just starting to brown.
  • Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
  • Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes until paste darkens and thickens slightly.
  • Add all spices: cumin, coriander, smoked and sweet paprika, oregano, chili flakes, bay leaves, and finely chopped soaked chipotle peppers (remove seeds and stems before chopping). Sauté 1 minute to release aromas.

4. Combine and Slow Cook

  • Pour the sautéed mixture over the browned meat in the pot.
  • Season with salt and pepper, add water, and bring to a boil.
  • Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F).
  • Slow cook for 2 hours, checking seasoning after 1 hour.

5. Add Beans and Finish Cooking

  • After 2 hours, remove pot from oven.
  • Stir in drained kidney beans gently, cover, and return to oven for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Skim excess fat off the top if necessary.

6. Prepare the Avocado Salsa

  • Chop parsley finely and dice red onion into small cubes.
  • Combine in a small bowl with lime juice and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Add diced avocado, a pinch of salt, and gently mix.

7. Make the Jalapeño Cream

  • Blend buttermilk, olive oil, avocado, jalapeño, lime juice, lime zest, chili flakes, and salt until smooth and pale green.
  • Optionally, substitute buttermilk with yogurt or sour cream, adding water gradually for desired consistency.

8. Serve

  • Spoon cooked rice onto half of each serving plate.
  • Ladle hot chili con carne onto the other half.
  • Spoon avocado salsa over the rice.
  • Drizzle the jalapeño cream evenly over the entire dish.

💡 Tips

  • Using dried chipotle and guajillo peppers adds authentic smoky depth.
  • Slow cooking develops rich, concentrated flavors.
  • Adjust chili flakes in cream and salsa to control heat levels.
  • Simple boiled rice balances the boldness of the chili.
  • Prepare salsa and cream fresh at serving time for maximum freshness.

🎉 Perfect For

  • Spicy weeknight dinners
  • Mexican-inspired meals with a fresh twist
  • Comfort food with a healthy balance of creamy and spicy
  • Meal prepping and reheating for packed lunches or family meals

📝 Final Thoughts

This chili con carne recipe captures the bold essence of Mexican cuisine with smoky dried peppers, aromatic spices, and a rich beef base. The fresh avocado salsa and creamy jalapeño topping create a bright and cooling contrast, making every bite dynamic and satisfying. Paired with simple rice, it’s a dish full of personality that will become a staple for spice lovers.