Authentic Mexican Chili Recipe: The best affordable meal for a Fiesta!

As a mom to two little ones, I know this recipe is unbeatable. My kids can devour three plates of this Authentic Mexican Chili Recipe in one sitting. They love it! And I’m thrilled because chili con carne is a wholesome and nutritious meal.

Authentic Mexican chili with ground beef stands apart from other chili recipes due to its rich and flavorful guajillo sauce. Forget about paprika; the vibrant red color of this chili con carne comes straight from chiles!

Recently, I prepared this recipe for the Heritage Month Celebration at my boys’ school. I conducted a Mexican cooking class where I taught how to make chili sauce, and I brought a big pot of chili that disappeared in seconds! Everyone loved its rich and delicious flavor, which isn’t overly spicy.

As a native Mexican who cooks beans at least once a week, here’s my secret: soak the beans for an hour before cooking. In Mexico, we traditionally soak the beans overnight, which helps them cook faster and achieve a tender texture. Nowadays, with the help of an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, beans cook way faster.

Cook the beef separately and season it well to ensure it absorbs all the flavors. I love using cumin, oregano, salt, and onion for seasoning. Finally, I also added some diced tomatoes to enhance the texture and add extra nutrients to the recipe.

Guajillo sauce is what sets authentic Mexican chili apart from other recipes. Soak pepper in hot water for at least 8 minutes to soften. Did you know that guajillo peppers have more vitamin C than oranges? This makes chili con carne a perfect winter dinner.

Once your sauce is ready, pass it through a strainer and add it to the beans and beef. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for at least 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, to meld all the flavors together.

If you’re looking for other heartwarming recipes, try my Sopa de Fideo con Pollo or an authentic Sopa de Tortilla next time!

Authentic Mexican Chili Recipe

This Mexican Chili Con Carne is elevated with a mouthwatering guajillo sauce. This easy-to-follow recipe not only is delicious but also ensures a nutritious feast for your family dinner. Spice up your evenings with the recipes of an authentic Mexican mom at Food and Deals by Laura Muller

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 57 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 12 people

Calories 274 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Pot you can use your instant Pot
• 1 sieve
• 1 Blender
• 1 pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For Cooking the Beans

• 3 cups beans (kidney or pinto beans work well; as a good North of Mexico girl, I prefer pintos)
• 3 leaves bay
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 piece onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 10 cups water

Making the Beef

• 2 pound ground beef I've also used ground turkey to make this recipe, and it turns out great too
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 12 cup onion chopped
• 1 cup tomato diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic diced

Making the Chili Sauce

• 1 clove garlic
• 6 pieces guajillo
• 2 pieces ancho If you can[t fin duse only guajillo it still taste amazing
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

 

• Start by soaking the beans in water for at least 30 minutes.
• Cook the beans with 1 garlic clove, 1/4 onion, 3 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon of salt in 10 cups of water. If using an Instant Pot, use the beans option; if cooking on the stovetop, it might take around 40 minutes after the water boil
• For the beef, heat cooking oil and add ground beef. Season with cumin, oregano, and salt. Once most of the water evaporates and the beef begins to brown, add diced tomatoes and cook for another minute.
• Meanwhile, soak the chilis in hot water for 8 minutes, ensuring they remain submerged (placing a plate on top helps). Transfer the chilis to a blender along with 1 cup of the soaking water, cumin, oregano, and garlic. Blend until smooth.
• Bring everything to a boil and simmer for about 8 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt to taste.
• Enjoy!

Video

Notes

I always make a large pot of chili because it lasts us for three days on the road. My children love it, and I appreciate how affordable and easy it is to make. This recipe ensures my family eats something nutritious, and it gives me a break from cooking for a couple of days.

We usually enjoy it with tostadas or warm tortillas.

If you’re looking for other heartwarming recipes, try my Sopa de Fideo con Pollo or an authentic Sopa de Tortilla next time!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Authentic Mexican Chili Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

274

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

16

g

25

%

Saturated Fat

 

6

g

38

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

7

g

Cholesterol

 

54

mg

18

%

Sodium

 

361

mg

16

%

Potassium

 

527

mg

15

%

Carbohydrates

 

18

g

6

%

Fiber

 

4

g

17

%

Sugar

 

9

g

10

%

Protein

 

16

g

32

%

Vitamin A

 

264

IU

5

%

Vitamin C

 

18

mg

22

%

Calcium

 

69

mg

7

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Does real Mexican chili have beans?

Yes, Mexican chili contains pinto beans and beef in a rich guajillo sauce. The beans bring iron, the guajillo chilies add a kick of vitamin C, and the meat supplies the protein. This chili beans recipe is perfect for the chilly season—nothing like a warm bowl on cold Chicago nights.

What is Mexican chili made of?

Authentic Mexican Chili is crafted with ground beef and pinto beans simmered in a rich guajillo sauce. This delicious blend of flavors is not only easy to make but also affordable, making it a popular choice for fiestas and gatherings.