I remember the first time I tried making a slow-cooked dish. I was looking for something hearty and flavorful, but easy enough to toss together after a long day. That’s when I stumbled upon Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooked Chilli Con Carne recipe. The idea of letting everything simmer for hours, filling the house with mouth-watering smells, was enough to make me forget about all my previous rushed meals.
Slow cooking has a way of transforming simple ingredients into rich, layered flavors. Jamie’s recipe takes this concept to the next level. The combination of beef, beans, and spices, all cooked low and slow, makes this dish the ultimate comfort food. Every bite is a little bit of heaven.
Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooked Chilli Con Carne Recipe
I’ve made this chilli so many times over the years. Each time, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl. Jamie’s recipe is straightforward but packed with bold flavors, using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
I love the simplicity of it – you let the slow cooker do all the hard work while you focus on other things. By the time it’s done, you have a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, even if you’ve only put it on a few hours earlier.
Ingredients Needed
The best part? You don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients to make this recipe. Most of these are pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil – to sauté the base of the dish
- Beef chuck or stewing beef – perfect for slow cooking; it becomes tender and flavorful
- Onion – adds sweetness and depth to the base
- Garlic – because, well, garlic makes everything better
- Red bell peppers – they bring color and sweetness
- Tomatoes – chopped and tinned work just fine
- Chili powder – the main heat source in the dish
- Ground cumin – adds warmth and earthiness
- Paprika – smoky undertones for extra flavor
- Dried kidney beans or black beans – the heart of the dish, they soak up all the flavors
- Beef stock – for richness and depth
- Salt and pepper – to taste, of course
You can also throw in a handful of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for garnish when serving.
How To Make Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooked Chilli Con Carne
Making this chilli is almost as easy as opening a can of beans. Here’s how I do it:
- Sear the beef: Heat a little olive oil in a pan and brown the beef chunks. This step locks in the flavor, making the meat more tender when slow-cooked.
- Prepare the base: In the same pan, sauté chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened. The smells that fill your kitchen will have you hooked right from the start.
- Add the spices: Stir in the chili powder, paprika, and cumin. These spices will wake up the entire dish and add layers of flavor.
- Combine everything in the slow cooker: Transfer everything from the pan into your slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, beans, and beef stock. Stir it all together.
- Let it slow cook: Set your slow cooker on low and let it do its thing for about 6-8 hours. If you’re in a rush, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours, but trust me, slow is the way to go for the best results.
- Season to taste: Before serving, taste the chilli and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. You can also add a squeeze of lime or a spoonful of sour cream to bring a fresh balance to the dish.
Ingredient Science Spotlight
What makes this chilli stand out is the magic that happens when you combine these specific ingredients. Here’s why each one plays a crucial role:
- Beef: When you slow-cook beef, the collagen breaks down, making the meat ultra-tender and juicy. It becomes more flavorful with time, absorbing all the spices and liquids around it.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes provide both acidity and sweetness. As they break down during cooking, they thicken the sauce and intensify the flavor of the dish.
- Chili powder & cumin: Chili powder brings the heat, but it’s cumin that adds depth and warmth. Together, they create that signature chili flavor we crave.
- Beans: Beans are the backbone of any great chili. They absorb the stock and spices, turning every bite into a comforting experience.
- Garlic and onions: These are the base layers of flavor. They caramelize when sautéed and lend an aromatic foundation to the whole dish.
Expert Tips
After making this recipe a few times, I’ve picked up a few tips that’ll take your chilli to the next level:
- Don’t skip the searing: While it takes an extra step, searing the beef creates a rich, browned crust that will deepen the flavor of your chilli.
- Use quality beef: Choose chuck or stewing beef. It’s perfect for slow cooking because it’s fatty and tough, which turns into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness when cooked low and slow.
- Adjust the heat: Depending on your spice preference, add more or less chili powder. If you like a smoky kick, try adding a bit of chipotle powder for an extra layer of flavor.
- Let it rest: If you have time, let the chilli sit for an hour after cooking. The flavors will meld together even more, making it even tastier when served.
- Top with extras: Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro to balance the richness of the dish.
Recipe Variations
This chilli is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas if you want to switch it up:
- Vegetarian version: Replace the beef with mushrooms and extra beans for a plant-based twist. Portobello mushrooms work well as a beef substitute.
- Add some sweetness: A spoonful of brown sugar or a drizzle of honey can balance out the heat and acidity of the dish.
- Smokier flavor: Try adding a couple of tablespoons of smoked paprika or a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Bean-free option: If you’re not a fan of beans, just double the meat for a hearty, carnivorous version of this dish.
Final Words
Making Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooked Chilli Con Carne is more than just cooking – it’s a bit of a ritual. From the sizzling sounds when you sear the beef to the smell of the spices as they bloom, it’s an experience. You don’t need to be a master chef to pull this off. Just a few simple steps and some patience are all you need to end up with a dish that feels like home.
FAQs
What Makes Jamie Oliver’s Slow-cooked Chilli Con Carne Special?
It’s the perfect blend of tender beef, rich spices, and slow-cooked flavors that develop over time. The recipe uses a mix of fresh ingredients and dried chilies for that deep, warming taste.
How Long Does Jamie Oliver’s Slow-cooked Chilli Con Carne Take To Prepare?
The total cooking time is around 3 hours. It’s mostly hands-off once everything’s in the pot, but the slow cooking really lets the flavors come together.
Can I Make Jamie Oliver’s Slow-cooked Chilli Con Carne In A Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! Just follow the same steps but cook it on low for 6 to 8 hours instead of on the stove. This lets the flavors really marinate and tenderize the meat.