Are you making your first plant-based chili con carne, or are you new to cooking everyday meals with MATR? Then this recipe is the perfect place to start.
About MATR
Are you not familiar with MATR yet? Fermentation is what makes our product unique. By allowing five organic, Nordic ingredients to develop together, we create a plant-based mince with plenty of umami flavour, richness, and texture. This makes MATR the perfect choice for a rich and spiced chili con carne.
Our chili con carne recipe follows chef Claus Meyer’s approach to healthy cooking, with a dish that can be prepared by any at home chef.
How to cook MATR’s plant-based chili con carne
Start by preparing your ingredients. Peel and finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and rinse and drain the kidney beans.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes until softened and slightly translucent.
Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and chilli, and let the spices cook briefly to release their aromas.
Add the MATR Mince to the pot and cook it together with the onion and spices until it develops a lightly browned surface and absorbs the flavours
Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, and kidney beans. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly combined.
Reduce the heat and let the chili con carne simmer for around 30-35 minutes. During this time, the dish will thicken and the flavours will come together.
Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a little extra chilli if you prefer a spicier dish.
Serve your chili con carne with your favourite toppings or sides, such as rice, baked potatoes, or freshly baked sourdough bread. Finish with fresh coriander if desired.
Tips to make the world’s best chili con carne
Let the dish simmer a little longer if you have enough time before serving. This allows the flavours to develop further, creating an even richer and more rounded taste.
Want your chili con carne to be extra filling? Add more vegetables, such as carrots, brown beans, or courgette.
Add a small amount of dark cocoa powder or dark chocolate to give your chili con carne extra depth. It adds another layer of flavour without overpowering the dish.
If the chili con carne becomes too thick, you can add more vegetable stock while it simmers. Add a little at a time to avoid making it too thin. If it does become too runny, stir a tablespoon of flour into the pot to help thicken it.
Give your chili con carne a contrasting element by adding a touch of acidity, such as lemon or lime. The acidity adds brightness and balance to the dish’s otherwise deep and intense flavour.
Nutritional information for MATR’s plant-based chili con carne
Calculated based on 500 g of MATR Mince per chili con carne:
Other ingredients are not included in the calculation.
Which sides go well with chili con carne?
You can serve our plant-based chili con carne with a variety of sides. Below you’ll find five recommendations:
- Basmati rice or wholegrain rice
- Baked potatoes with traditional or vegan butter
- Warm tortillas or sourdough bread
- Fresh cabbage salad with lime
- Avocado, fresh coriander, or pickled red onions as toppings
Here’s why you should make chili con carne with MATR
At MATR, we believe that classic everyday dishes can be made plant-based. With our healthy MATR recipes, you can still enjoy the taste and texture that wins food lover’s hearts. This is possible because Claus Meyer and our team behind MATR have developed a product that uses fermentation to create a deep umami flavour and a unique texture.
MATR Mince is made from five organic ingredients. This means you avoid additives and unnecessary E-numbers often found on the ingredient lists of many ultra-processed foods on the market.
Our recipe for a rich and spiced chili con carne is a plant-based take on a well-known favourite. It is an easy, filling and tasty everyday meal that gathers the whole family around the table for a shared meal.
Cook more healthy everyday dishes with MATR
If you don’t already have MATR in your fridge at home, you can find our products in selected Coop stores in Denmark. You can also learn more about our products here, before you start creating delicious dishes with MATR in your own kitchen.
Have you already tried our plant-based chili con carne and found yourself craving more? Luckily, we have many more MATR recipes for you to explore and enjoy.
Frequently asked questions
Which ingredients go into a chili con carne?
A chili con carne typically contains tomatoes, beans, onions, and warming spices. In a plant-based version, MATR Mince can be used as the mince alternative in the dish.
Why do you add chocolate to chili con carne?
A small amount of dark chocolate or cocoa can give chili con carne a deeper, more rounded flavour by enhancing the spices and the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
What side dishes go well with chili con carne?
Chili con carne is often served with rice, tortillas, bread, or a fresh salad. Toppings such as avocado, lemon or lime, pickled red onions, or fresh herbs add extra freshness to the dish.
Which rice should you use for chili con carne?
Basmati rice, jasmine rice, or wholegrain rice all work well with chili con carne. Simply choose the type you like the most.
Can chili con carne be made plant-based?
Yes, chili con carne can easily be made plant-based. With MATR Mince, you can create a rich and flavourful version with the familiar texture of the classic dish.
Can chili con carne be made the day before?
Yes, chili con carne often tastes even better the next day, as the spices have more time to develop. Store the dish in the fridge and gently reheat it before serving.
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