Gluten free chilli con carne

There are some meals you just cannot beat, and my gluten free chilli con carne recipe is an absolute classic. Whether you’re loading it up on nachos or just want a warming winter bowl of goodness, it’s the ultimate pick-me-up.

Meaty, smoky and spicy, I’ve spent years tweaking this recipe to (what I’d call) perfection and I think, friends, I’ve finally nailed it!

Making a great chilli con carne

So what’s the key to making a great gluten free chilli con carne? The most important thing is to take is sloooow.

You cannot rush greatness and that is certainly true of this recipe.

In fact, I think this gluten free chilli con carne recipe is best made the night before, so the flavours can develop overnight.

If you don’t have time for that, then you need to at least adhere to the recipe timings and not rush.

I’ve tried to make this in a hurry before and it’s simply not as good. Trust me, it’s worth waiting for.

The perfect gluten free chilli con carne

Getting the right spice mix is also key in this recipe. I like my chilli con carne to have a bit of a kick without being too overpowering, and would say this recipe is about a medium heat.

If you really like it hot you could always substitute the mild chilli powder for hot – or add some chopped fresh red chillis to the mix with the other spices. 

In terms of other flavourings, I also use paprika – you can go for unsmoked or smoked depending how smoky you like it, it works well with both.

But the two absolutely key ingredients in my gluten free chilli con carne?

Number one, I always use the Knorr beef stock pots as they are gluten free and give such a rich flavour. But if you can’t find them, there are some other gluten free stock alternatives here.

The second most important thing? Chocolate!

You may think I’ve gone mad, but adding a square of dark chocolate will make ALL the difference to your gluten free chilli con carne.

It adds a really rich depth of flavour with the tiniest hint of sweetness, and gives the chilli a lovely colour too.

I normally add about 85% dark chocolate but anything other 70% would work.

How to make my gluten free chilli

There’s a full printable recipe card below, but here’s the ingredients for your shopping list:

• 500 g 15% fat beef mince, (see notes)
• 1 onion, (peeled and finely chopped)
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 150 ml passata
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 3 garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
• 1 Knorr beef stock pot
• 1 x 400g tin kidney beans
• 1 square dark chocolate
• 1 tbsp oil, (rapeseed oil, coconut oil or olive oil work best)

You’ll also need the following ingredients to make up the spice mix:

• 1 heaped tsp mild chilli powder
• 1 tsp hot chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp marjoram
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin

Most of these are storecupboard basics you should have to hand easily.

If you wanted to make a vegetarian version, you could also use Quorn mince and a vegetarian stock pot.

When using beef mince, I recommend using at least 15% mince as this gives the chilli a much better texture and flavour.

Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste – this is for a medium-spice chilli which should be fine for most people.

Can you make chilli con carne in the slow cooker?

The great news is that gluten free chilli con carne is one of the easiest slow cooker meals around!

I do love a slow cooker recipe and this one is really easy to convert.

You could just chuck everything in but I do recommend browning the mince first.

This just gives it a much richer taste and a nicer texture.

To make this chilli in the slow cooker: Brown the mince with a little oil (4-5 minutes) and then add to the slow cooker with everything else. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours, stir well and then serve.

Ways to serve your chilli con carne

This recipe is fantastic for batch cooking as you can make a load and then keep it in the freezer for when you just need something quick and comforting.

And when it does come to dishing it up, here are some of my favourite ways to serve your gluten free chilli con carne:

Serve it straight up with boiled rice and some fresh coriander on top, with a dollop of sour cream on the side to balance out the heat.

If you’re trying to eat less carbs, this makes a really hearty meal just served in a bowl topped with crumbled feta (trust me, it’s amazing!), avocado and some crumbled tortilla chips.

Or go the whole hog and make some loaded gluten free chilli nachos! Lay your gluten free tortilla chips out in a bowl, top with the chilli, some salsa and grated cheese then grill until melted.

Finish off with sour cream and guacamole for the ultimate feast!

My gluten free chilli con carne recipe

Dinner is served! Here’s the recipe you’ve been waiting for – my delicious gluten free beef chilli, cooked low and slow for the ultimate meal. Enjoy!

If you make this recipe and love it, please do let me know by tagging me on my Instagram or using #theglutenfreeblogger. I love seeing your bakes!

And if you loved it, please do leave a review to let others know you loved it too! It would mean the world to me. 

Need some more gluten free dinner inspiration?

Want to have a go at making some more easy gluten free and vegan recipes? Give some of these other gluten free recipes a try!

There are plenty to choose from – here are a couple to get you going:

• My gluten free chicken and ham pie recipe
• Gluten free mac and cheese
• Vegan chickpea and sweetcorn fritters
• Easy gluten free Chinese curry recipe

If you do make this recipe please let me know! I’d love to see your photos using #theglutenfreeblogger, share them in my Facebook group or tag me on Instagram. 

And if you have any recipe suggestions, please let me know in the comments what you’d like to see next!

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