Mild Chilli Con Carne for Kids

This mild chilli con carne for kids is a family-friendly meal that's full of flavour but gentle on young taste buds. Packed with hidden vegetables, protein, and just a hint of spice, it's perfect for fussy eaters and easy to batch-cook for busy weeknights.

This hearty kid friendly chilli con carne is one of our favourite family dinners, served with rice, tortilla chips, grated cheese and sour cream.

Love chilli? Try my turkey chilli recipe or slow cooker chilli next.

Jump to:

• ✔️ Why should you try it?
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• Top Tips
• 🍴 Serving suggestions
• 📖 Variations
• 🥡 Storage
• ❓ FAQS
• 😋Related recipes
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

✔️ Why should you try it?

1. Easy family dinner.
2. Mildly spiced and perfect for kids.
3. Great for batch cooking and freezing.
4. Can be adapted to suit all tastes.

🥘 Ingredients

Lean minced beef (500g) - a great source of protein and the base of this family favourite.

Chorizo - adds a rich, smoky flavour that makes the chilli extra tasty.

Onion (1, finely chopped) - use a mini chopper for speed if you like.

Garlic (2 cloves, peeled and chopped) - for warmth and depth.

Red pepper - sliced into strips, or chopped smaller if preferred.

Mild chilli powder (½ tsp) - optional for little ones; adjust to taste or leave out entirely.

Spices & herbs - smoked paprika, cumin, ground coriander, and oregano for classic chilli flavour.

Tomato soup (1 can) - brings natural sweetness that kids love. Alternatively, use smooth passata with a pinch of sugar. (Keep the empty tin to measure boiling water for the sauce.)

Sweet chilli sauce - adds gentle sweetness and an extra layer of flavour.

Kidney beans (1 can) - add a second tin if your family enjoys them, or swap for baked beans if preferred.

Worcestershire sauce - a splash at the end gives a savoury kick; Marmite works well too.

Fresh coriander (optional) - for sprinkling on top before serving.

🔪 Instructions

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

One: Fry the chorizo in a shallow casserole or frying pan for a few minutes until it starts releasing its oil.

Two: Add the finely chopped onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until the onion starts to soften.

Three: Add the red pepper and cook for another couple of minutes, stirring often.

Four: Stir in the chilli powder, smoked paprika, ground coriander, cumin and oregano.

Five: Add the minced beef and turn the heat up so that it browns.

Six: Pour in the tomato soup and fill the empty can with water from a recently boiled kettle. Pour this in too, along with the sweet chilli sauce and drained kidney beans. Give everything a good mix.

Seven: Add the Worcestershire sauce then simmer on a low to medium heat for 10 minutes.

Eight: Season with salt and pepper and serve!

🍴 Serving suggestions

Serve this mild chilli con carne with fluffy rice, crunchy tortilla chips, a sprinkle of grated cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a side of air fryer sweet potato fries for a real Mexican-style feast. I always pop a bottle of chilli sauce on the table too, so adults can turn up the heat to their liking.

Leftovers are just as versatile - try spooning them over jacket potatoes, or stir them through my cheesy pasta before baking to make a hearty chilli cheesy pasta.

📖 Variations

• Replace the mince with diced beef chunks and cook low and slow for a more traditional, rich chilli.
• Add tinned sweetcorn, diced courgette, or a mix of different coloured peppers. Grated carrot or sweet potato also work well to bring natural sweetness.
• If your children aren't keen on kidney beans, swap them for baked beans, butter beans or even chickpeas for a softer bite.
• For older children or adults, stir in a finely chopped red chilli with the onion, or add a little extra mild chilli powder or smoked paprika. Keep it gentle for toddlers and younger eaters.
• Use Quorn mince, lentils, or another plant-based substitute instead of beef mince for a meat-free version that's still hearty and filling.
• Try turkey mince, chicken mince, or even a mixture of pork and beef for a lighter twist.
• Instead of rice, serve the chilli with mashed potato, pasta, or spooned into wraps for a fun, hands-on dinner.
• Make a double portion and freeze half in family or single servings for quick midweek meals.

🥡 Storage

Store - Allow the chilli to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat - In a saucepan on the hob until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened. Alternatively, warm in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, until heated through. Always check it's hot all the way through before serving.

Freeze - This chilli con carne freezes brilliantly. Once cooled, portion into freezer-safe tubs or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating as above. Batch-cooking and freezing makes it a handy option for busy weeknights.

❓ FAQS

😋Related recipes

More child friendly dinners to try using minced beef.

Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

Recipe