What’s chili con carne?

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Chili con carne is Spanish for chili con carne. Some common ingredients in this dish include ground beef or another meat, beans, and a variety of spices. These seasonings can include chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and any other spice that suits your taste. Chili has been a popular dish in American cooking for many years – and is served in restaurants, family reunions, and even cooking competitions across the U.S.

According to some food historians, the origins of chili con carne date back to the seventeenth century. Contrary to what many believe, chili is not actually a Mexican cuisine. Rather, this spicy stew is believed to have its roots in Spanish cuisine. The first such dish to appear in the United States was in the Southwest, most likely in the state of Texas. Despite its Spanish origins, however, Texan-style chili con carne has become internationally known as an example of typical Tex-Mex cuisine.

Some of the earliest types of meat used in chili included beef, venison, and goat, depending on what was locally available. There have been countless types of recipes created and people have prepared dishes based on what would travel well without spoiling and what could be prepared easily. In the 1920s, when people in the United States were nearly starving during the Depression, local chili parlors saved many of them from starvation by offering cheap chilies with free crackers.

Chili con carne recipes weren’t created without controversy. For example, some regional cooks reject using beans in their chili, while others have opposing views on adding tomatoes. Over time, products like canned chili and chili powder were developed, presumably to reduce preparation time in the lives of increasingly busy people. Chili purists, however, probably prefer the slow-cooked, suave method of cooking chili from scratch.

There are countless variations of chili con carne. While traditional chili contains red meat and beans, white chili is usually made with white beans, such as cannellini or northern beans. Common meat options in this variation include turkey or chicken, which is usually ground or shredded. Peppers, onions and other greens can also be added to the chili. Common toppings include sour cream, grated cheese, or tortilla chips. Some people serve chili con carne over a starch, such as rice or noodles.

The chili continues to grow in popularity in the United States and around the world. Competitions for chili preparation, or recipes, can range from small local events to nationally televised competitions. People have many options, from restaurants to cookbooks, to find their favorite chili recipe or they can create their own.

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