25 January, 2025 martin 0 Comments 1 category

Introduction

If you are looking for a budget-friendly chilli con carne recipe then look no further! This recipe is for anyone looking for a simple, affordable, and healthy meal that’s packed with flavour. Whether you’re cooking for a friends or just yourself, this comforting classic is easy to prepare and can be made with basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Combining hearty minced beef with nutritious beans, vegetables, and a blend of vibrant spices, this dish is not only full of rich, bold flavours but also provides a balanced mix of protein, fibre, and vitamins.

What makes Chilli con Carne so great is its versatility. You can adjust the heat level to suit your taste by adding more or less chilli, and feel free to play with the spices to make it uniquely yours. With minimal effort, you can create a meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing. Serve it with rice, on top of a baked potato, some tortilla chips, a simple salad or enjoy it as is for a delicious, budget-friendly dinner option. It’s a dish that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive!

I’ve added the cost of the items to show its super cheap to make and if you do a bulk version like I have done here you can easily freeze each portion so making it easy for you to have chilli any day of the week! This will make at least 10 portions for you, so you can portion it up and freeze it so you can pull one out as and when you fancy that hot chilli kick. This is a fantastic meal full of protein.

The focus here is for being budget-friendly, you could replace the minced beef with some Quorn mince or or other plant based mince.

Ingredients

* prices are from Tesco – January 2022 updated 2025 prices in brackets

  • 500g Minced Beef £2.89 (£3.79)
  • 800g Chopped Tomatoes £0.90 (£0.94)
  • 800g Kidney Beans £1.10 (£0.98)
  • 1 Pepper £0.30 (£0.55)
  • 2 Garlic Cloves £.05
  • 2 Red Onions
  • 2 White Onions
  • 2 Chillies (from the garden!)
  • 1 Heaped Teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 Heaped Teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 Heaped Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 Heaped Teaspoon Chilli Powder
  • 3 – 4 chunks of plain chocolate

Instructions

  • Start by heating a large pan with some oil.
  • Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes until the onions take on some colour. 
  • Add a pepper and some chopped garlic. 
  • Add some chopped fresh chilli – I grow them in the garden so have a supply in my freezer. If you don’t want it too hot take out the seeds. 
  • Allow to cook until the peppers are soft. Once this is done remove the mixture from the pan. 
  • Reheat the pan and add the minced beef. If you are doing a vegetarian  version this step can be left out. 
  • Brown the beef and then re-add the onion mixture and stir well. 
  • Add the kidney beans and tinned tomatoes and give a good stir. 
  • Add the chocolate chunks and stir in. 
  • Stick the lid on your pan and allow to simmer for 30 minutes on a low heat.
  • Serve your chilli whilst hot!

Nutritional Details per portion (assuming 10 portions)

  • Calories: 257.7 kcal
  • Protein: 21.1 g
  • Fat: 9.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25.5 g
  • Fiber: 6.8 g
  • Salt: 0.095 g

This budget-friendly chilli recipe is a must do for anyone looking for a healthy cheap recipe that is easy to cook and freeze.

To check the current prices and compare different supermarkets check here

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Category: Easy to cook and cheap to buy student recipes

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