Kid-Favorite Hearty Chili Rice Bowl
Easy Recipe for Mexican-Inspired Chili Carne Rice Bowl
Chili Carne, often thought of as Mexican, is actually an American dish with a Mexican flair! Making a big pot of this chili sauce is incredibly versatile, perfect for rice bowls, hot dogs, nachos, and more. Its slightly spicy and sweet flavor profile is a huge hit with kids, making it a family-pleasing meal.
Main Ingredients
- Chili (canned) 850g
- Baked Beans (canned) 420g
- Sweet Corn (canned) 340g
- Bacon 110g
- Breakfast Sausage 210g
- Frozen Meatballs 300g
- Onion 200g (1 medium)
- Whole Garlic 60g (about 6-8 cloves)
- Butter 2 Tbsp
- Garlic Chips (for garnish)
Seasoning & Others
- Taco Seasoning 3 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Chopped Scallions 4 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin or Sake) 2 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 2 Tbsp
- Taco Seasoning 3 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Chopped Scallions 4 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin or Sake) 2 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the ingredients for our Chili Carne rice bowl. We’re using frozen meatballs and breakfast sausages, and canned chili is easily available online. If you don’t have these specific ingredients, feel free to substitute with Spam, Vienna sausages, or even vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or peas you have at home – it will still be delicious!
Step 2
Taco seasoning is key to adding that wonderful Mexican-inspired flavor. It’s primarily made of spices, so it contributes aroma rather than saltiness.
Step 3
This taco seasoning blend typically contains chili pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, bell peppers, and other spices, harmonizing to create a rich depth of flavor. If you can’t find taco seasoning, you can achieve a similar flavor profile by using black pepper, basil, and parsley flakes.
Step 4
Finely chop the bacon and sausages into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion similarly. If your frozen meatballs are large, cutting them in half will help them absorb the flavors better.
Step 5
Drain the canned sweet corn thoroughly using a sieve. Leftover liquid can make the sauce watery during the cooking process.
Step 6
Now, let’s start cooking! Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped sausages, meatballs, bacon, minced onion, and whole garlic cloves. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of sugar and sauté until the onions become translucent. Sautéing them well will enhance their sweetness and flavor.
Step 7
Once the onions are translucent, add the baked beans, canned chili, and the drained sweet corn. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 8
It’s time to deepen the flavor of our Chili Carne. Add 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of cooking wine (like mirin or sake). Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently. Simmering on low heat allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully, creating a richer taste.
Step 9
As the sauce thickens slightly, stir in 4 tablespoons of chopped scallions and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. The fresh aroma of the scallions and the nutty flavor of sesame oil will elevate the overall taste of the Chili Carne.
Step 10
Give everything a quick stir, and turn off the heat immediately. Your delicious Chili Carne sauce is ready!
Step 11
Spoon a generous amount of the finished Chili Carne sauce over warm rice. Garnish with the chopped scallions and crispy garlic chips for a visually appealing and delicious Chili Rice Bowl.
Step 12
This Chili Carne is fantastic served over rice, but it’s also wonderfully delicious as a dip for nachos! It makes a great snack for kids or a tasty appetizer with drinks for adults.
