Lamb Chilli Con Carne (Slow Cooker)

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This lamb chilli con carne is the perfect spin on its beef counterpart. It's lean, simple, incredibly tasty courtesy of using the slow cooker . Perfect for a weeknight dinner or even batch cook and save for another time.

lamb with rice garnish with avocadoes and lime

I'm sure most people are familiar with chilli con carne or even the term "chilli". If you haven't then you are in for a real treat today.

I've been privy to some pretty interesting conversations where the people who I was surrounded by would boast about their "chilli".

It was a case of who can make the best chilli, what ingredients do you put in yours etc.. etc..

Along with the do's and don'ts, that conversation had me curious to the point where I challenged myself to make my own homemade chilli con carne.

lamb, rice garnish with lime and corn chips

What is chilli con carne?

In short, it simply means "chili with meat". A spicy stew that is made with red kidney beans, onion, garlic, cumin etc.. and chilli peppers although some people use chilli powder instead.

The primary ingredient in a chilli con carne is the meat which is beef. In terms of the origins of this dish. I believe it lies between southern Texas and Northern Mexico.

There's always some type of discourse in terms of what constitutes an authentic chilli.

For example some say, ground/mince meat should be used, canned tomatoes are a no no and so is powdered chilli.

I'm certainly not proclaiming this chilli to be authentic because it isn't. I'm simply showcasing a lamb variation of the dish that I'm confident the whole family will enjoy.

It's simple, flavoursome and packed with bold flavours that I know you and your loved ones will make again and again.

Ingredients you need

The steps

steps1-8 making cooking the lamb and seasoning it

On medium heat, add the olive oil and proceed to sauté the onion, garlic and red bell peppers until soft and translucent (I'm using my sear/stew all in 1 unit).
Add the meat and then proceed to brown the meat (this will take several minutes).
Season the lamb with your spices - cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, ground cinnamon, garlic/onion powder, oregano and coconut sugar.
You many notice excess liquid building up in the pan, if so you will want to either drain this off (not all of it) or increase the heat and allow the liquid to evaporate before moving on to the next step (Make sure to stir and be careful NOT to burn your lamb if doing the latter)
Transfer the contents to your slow cooker unit (I didn't have to do this since mine is 2 in 1).
Add the tomatoes, red kidney beans, and bay leaves.
Pour the lamb stock (add (80ml)⅓ cup first, you may not need the full (125ml) ½ a cup) over the lamb/vegetables.
Put the lid on a slow cooker on high for 4 hours.
Once cooked remove the bay leaves and add the chocolate pieces if you are using.
Season with black pepper and pink salt to taste.

Frequently asked questions

Why add chocolate to chilli?

Good question! Just like adding sugar helps to balance out the flavours, it is said that the chocolate helps to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes and yields more depth in flavour.

As long as you aren't adding huge amounts your chilli shouldn't turn into chocolate chilli. If you are sceptical or worried about the overall outcome then simply omit this step as it is optional.

Do you have to use red kidney beans?

No, you can leave them out or use another type of legume i.e. navy, pinto, black beans, black eyed peas and so fourth.

What sides can I serve this with?

You can serve with any of the following Okra Rice, Brown Rice, Mac and Cheese and Cauliflower Rice for a low carb option.

Help! I'm towards the end of slow cooking and my chilli has a lot of liquid leftover?

Don't panic! What you can do to remedy this problem is to simply transfer the chilli to a skillet/frying pan. You will need the liquid to evaporate by increasing the heat under the pan.

This will rid most of the liquid. Make sure you are stirring the chilli and don't leave it unattended as it is likely to burn.

What to serve with chilli con carne?

You have a number of serving options - red onions, salsa, avocado, your favourite spicy sauce, dairy free cheese, tacos, tortillas the list is endless.

Can I cook the lamb for over 4 hours instead?

I personally haven't tried it but you should be okay doing so. Simply select the lowest setting which will be "low" for 6-8 hours.

I would recommend checking the liquid levels as you may need to add some more stock/water.

Is this dish extremely spicy?

NO!! it's definitely not extremely chilli. As a spice lover, I do appreciate mild flavours and this chilli is very subtle.

It won't make your eyes water or nose run, it's mild but I must stress if you want a spicy chilli then please feel free to add more chilli powder/ fresh chillies.

Notes and tips

Don't be tempted to constantly lift the slow cooker lid as this will only allow the heat to escape and delay the cooking process.
This recipe serves up to 6 people.
Use 125ml/ ½ cup of water and a few extra tablespoons of water if you are using 680g (1 ½lb) worth of lamb.
Feel free to use my homemade version of Mutton Stock if needed
Before adding the tomatoes etc.. as mentioned in the instructions, it's very important to ensure that the majority of the liquid has been removed as this will ensure that your chilli is NOT over saturated.
Please note this is NOT a flaming hot chilli, the spice level is VERY subtle. If you want an extra spicy chilli then add more cayenne pepper or use fresh chillies.
To cut down on the excess fat I would recommend using "lean ground/mince lamb)
Be sure to do a taste test and adjust the seasoning and spiciness to suit.
Slow cookers are designed to retain moisture so in terms of liquid less is more, don't over saturate your chilli with water/stock.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within a few days, alternatively, you can freeze the leftovers (for up to 3 months) and thaw out and re-heat.
You can serve this as a main dish, side dish or even as a topping.

Close up of the lamb chilli with rice and garnish

More lamb recipes to try

Lamb Fried Rice
Slow Cooker Lamb Stew
Grilled Lamb Kofta Kebabs
Lamb Leg Steaks with Caramelized Onions

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