Chili con Carne Soup

Introduction

Chili con Carne Soup is a hearty, warming, and flavor-packed dish that combines the bold spices of classic chili with the comforting texture of a brothy soup. Traditionally rooted in Tex-Mex cuisine, this dish brings together ground beef, beans, tomatoes, chili peppers, and aromatic spices into one wholesome bowl. Unlike thick chili, this soup version is lighter, more spoonable, and perfect for those who crave the essence of chili but in a warm, soupy format.

This soup is ideal for cozy nights, game-day gatherings, or when you want a filling yet balanced one-pot meal. It’s rich, slightly spicy, savory, and endlessly customizable with toppings like cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, or tortilla chips. Every spoonful is layered with flavor—smoky spices, tender beans, juicy beef, and a zesty tomato base.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love Chili con Carne Soup because it takes the best parts of chili and transforms them into a soup that’s lighter, easier to eat, and incredibly versatile. I can enjoy it on its own for a quick dinner or pair it with cornbread or a salad for a full meal. It’s also a fantastic make-ahead recipe since the flavors deepen over time.

Another reason I love it is its flexibility—you can make it mild or fiery, use ground turkey instead of beef, add extra vegetables for nutrition, or top it with your favorite garnishes to make every bowl unique. It’s comfort food with personality.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

This recipe is a must-try because it brings together nutrition, flavor, and comfort all in one pot. The beans provide fiber and protein, the beef adds richness, the vegetables bring balance, and the spices give depth. It’s also economical, perfect for batch cooking, and freezer-friendly.

If you’ve ever enjoyed chili but found it too heavy, this soup is your perfect solution—it has all the flavors you love, with a lighter, more refreshing feel.

Recipe Details

• Course: Main Course / Soup
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings
• Calories: ~360 kcal per serving (without toppings)

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1–2 fresh chili peppers, minced (optional for spice)
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) beans (kidney, black, or pinto), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (optional, fresh or frozen)
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Tortilla chips or crusty bread
• Fresh lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeños
• Extra cilantro

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Brown the Meat

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned (about 6–7 minutes). Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
3. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

1. Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot.
2. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in fresh chili peppers if using.

Step 3: Add Spices

1. Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
2. Cook for 1–2 minutes to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.

Step 4: Build the Soup Base

1. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Add Beans and Corn

1. Stir in beans and corn.
2. Continue simmering for another 10–15 minutes until flavors meld together.

Step 6: Final Touches

1. Add lime juice for brightness.
2. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or chili powder.

Step 7: Serve

1. Ladle hot soup into bowls.
2. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips, or jalapeños as desired.

How to Serve

• Serve hot in deep bowls, topped with your favorite garnishes.
• Pair with cornbread, tortilla chips, or garlic bread for dipping.
• Offer a toppings bar for guests to customize their bowls.

Recipe Tips

1. For richer flavor, use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes.
2. Adjust thickness by simmering longer (for thicker soup) or adding more broth (for thinner soup).
3. Batch cook and freeze—perfect for meal prep.
4. Spice control—start mild, then add cayenne or chili peppers to adjust heat.
5. Balance flavors—a little sugar or honey can cut acidity from tomatoes if needed.

Variations

1. Turkey or Chicken Chili Soup – Use ground turkey or shredded chicken instead of beef.
2. Vegetarian Chili Soup – Skip the meat and add extra beans, lentils, or quinoa.
3. Spicy Chili Soup – Add chipotle peppers in adobo or extra cayenne.
4. White Chili Soup – Use white beans, chicken, and green chilies with a lighter broth.
5. Slow Cooker Version – Cook all ingredients (except lime and toppings) on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months (without toppings).
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding fresh toppings before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon and ladle
• Sharp knife and cutting board

Conclusion

Chili con Carne Soup is the ultimate comfort food: bold, hearty, and satisfying, yet light enough to enjoy as a soup. It’s versatile, customizable, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests. With its smoky spices, tender beef, beans, and vegetables, every spoonful is full of warmth and flavor. Once you try this recipe, it will become a staple in your kitchen—a dish you’ll want to make again and again.

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Chili con Carne Soup

Author: admin Courses: Soup & Drinks

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 55 mins

Servings: 6 Calories: 360 kcal per serving

Description

Chili con Carne Soup is a hearty, warming, and flavor-packed dish that combines the bold spices of classic chili with the comforting texture of a brothy soup.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 fresh 1–2 chili peppers, minced (optional for spice)
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each)
• 1 cup corn kernels (optional, fresh or frozen)
• 1 of Juice lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Tortilla chips or crusty bread
• Fresh lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeños
• Extra cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned (about 6–7 minutes). Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables: Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in fresh chili peppers if using.
3. Step 3: Add Spices: Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
4. Step 4: Build the Soup Base: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add Beans and Corn: Stir in beans and corn. Continue simmering for another 10–15 minutes until flavors meld together.
6. Step 6: Final Touches: Add lime juice for brightness. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or chili powder.
7. Step 7: Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips, or jalapeños as desired.

Keywords: Chili con Carne Soup