This mild chilli con carne recipe is the ultimate kid friendly chilli con carne - rich, tomatoey, and full of hearty flavour without any heat that's too spicy for young taste buds (or adults who prefer a gentle, non spicy chilli con carne). It's also packed with an impressive 37g of protein and 11g of fibre per serving, making it a filling and satisfying family dinner.
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A Quick Look At The Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Non Spicy Chilli Con Carne
🕒 Ready In: 30 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: 638 per serving
🥣 Main Ingredients: Minced Beef, Kidney Beans, Onion, Garlic, Red Pepper, Tomato Soup, Chilli Powder
📖 Dietary Info: Good source of protein and fibre
👌 Difficulty: Easy
Summarise & Save This Content On
Using lean minced beef, pantry staples like tomato soup and red kidney beans, and chorizo for depth, this version delivers all the warmth of a classic chilli con carne but keeps things wonderfully mild.
It's perfect for family dinners, batch‑cooking for the freezer, or pairing with fun sides like cornbread, fluffy rice, crunchy corn tortilla chips, guacamole, grated cheese, sour cream, or crispy potato wedges.
If you love chilli, you'll also like my turkey mince chilli, Quorn chilli, and slow cooker chilli recipes.
Love this! Best chilli I've ever had and I make it regularly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Chloe
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✔️ Why you'll love this non spicy chilli con carne recipe
- 🥘 Ingredients
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- 📖 Variations
- 🔪 How to make mild chilli con carne
- Top Tips
- 🍴 Serving suggestions
- Storage
- ❓ Frequently asked questions
- Troubleshooting Guide
- More easy minced beef recipes you'll love
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
✔️ Why you'll love this non spicy chilli con carne recipe
- Perfect for families, gentle on young taste buds yet full of classic chilli flavour and mildly spiced for kids.
- Rich and hearty.
- Quick weeknight dinner, ready in just 30 minutes for busy evenings.
- Batch and freeze friendly, keeps well in the fridge or freezer for meal prep.
- Adaptable, easily tweaked to suit all tastes with extra vegetables or different proteins.
🥘 Ingredients
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Lean Minced Beef (ground beef) - a great source of protein and the base of this family favourite; can be swapped for turkey or chicken mince for a lighter version.
Chorizo - adds a rich, smoky flavour; leave out for a fully mild version.
Onion - finely chopped; use a mini chopper for speed if you like.
Garlic - peeled and chopped; adds warmth and depth.
Red Pepper (red bell pepper) - chopped; slice into strips or dice smaller for younger kids.
Mild Chilli Powder (optional) - gentle for little ones; adjust to taste or leave out entirely.
Spices & Herbs - smoked paprika, cumin, ground coriander, and dried oregano for classic chilli flavour.
Tomato Soup - brings natural sweetness that kids love; alternatively, use smooth passata with a pinch of sugar, or a tin of chopped tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
Sweet Chilli Sauce - adds gentle sweetness and extra flavour; can swap for ketchup or honey + mild chilli powder.
Kidney Beans - drained; add extra if your family enjoys them, or swap for baked beans or black beans.
Worcestershire Sauce - gives a savoury kick; Marmite or soy sauce works as an alternative.
Fresh Coriander (cilantro) - for sprinkling on top before serving.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Have an allergy or dietary preference? Let AI customise the recipe for you.
📖 Variations
- Change the protein - replace the mince with diced beef chunks and cook low and slow for a richer, more traditional chilli, or use turkey, chicken, or a pork-and-beef mix for a lighter version.
- Make it meat-free - use Quorn mince, lentils, or another plant-based substitute for a hearty, vegetarian-friendly chilli.
- Add extra vegetables - tinned sweetcorn, diced courgette, a mix of coloured peppers, grated carrot, or sweet potato bring natural sweetness and added nutrition.
- Swap the beans - if kids aren't keen on kidney beans, try baked beans, butter beans, or chickpeas for a softer texture.
- Adjust the spice - for older children or adults, stir in a finely chopped red chilli with the onion or add extra mild chilli powder or smoked paprika; keep it gentle for toddlers.
- Change the base or sides - instead of rice, serve with mashed potato, pasta, wraps, or spoon into jacket potatoes for a fun, hands-on dinner.
- Batch cook and freeze - make a double portion and freeze half in family or single servings for quick midweek meals.
🔪 How to make mild chilli con carne
One: Fry the chorizo in a shallow casserole or frying pan for a few minutes until it starts releasing its oil (you might want to add a little bit of olive oil depending how much is released from the chorizo).
Two: Add the finely chopped onion and garlic, then cook for a few minutes until the onion softens.
Three: Add the red pepper and cook for another couple of minutes, stirring frequently.
Four: Stir in the chilli powder, smoked paprika, ground coriander, cumin, and oregano until fragrant.
Five: Add the minced beef and increase the heat slightly, cooking until the meat is browned all over.
Six: Pour in the tomato soup, then fill the empty can with recently boiled water and add this too. Stir in the sweet chilli sauce and drained kidney beans, mixing everything well.
Seven: Add the Worcestershire sauce, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
Eight: Taste and season with salt and pepper, then serve hot with your chosen sides.
Top Tips
- Keep it mild for kids by reducing or omitting chilli powder and using gentle spices.
- Sneak in extra vegetables by grating carrot, courgette (zucchini), or sweet potato for added nutrition without changing the flavour.
- Thicken the sauce naturally by mashing a few beans against the side of the pan if it's too thin.
- Boost flavour with a square of dark chocolate or a splash of rich beef stock, which helps balance the richness of the sauce.
- Use a ready-made chilli con carne spice mix for a quick and easy shortcut.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve this mild chilli con carne with fluffy rice, crunchy tortilla or corn chips, a sprinkle of grated cheese, and a dollop of sour cream or guacamole for a family-friendly feast.
Add a side of crispy potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or warm cornbread to make it even more comforting.
Leftovers are versatile too - spoon the chilli over jacket (baked) potatoes, stir it through cheesy pasta for a hearty chilli cheesy bake, or use it as a filling for wraps or tacos for a fun, hands-on dinner.
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 - warm gently in a saucepan on the hob until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. Always check that it is hot all the way through before serving.
Freeze - it freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, portion into freezer-safe tubs or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat as above. Batch cooking and freezing makes it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes. Brown the base ingredients on the hob (stovetop), then transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours for a deeper flavour and tender texture.
Adding dairy such as sour cream or grated cheese when serving can help neutralise heat, and serving with creamy guacamole or plain yoghurt will also balance flavours. Adjust spices during cooking and taste as you go to keep it non-spicy.
Absolutely. Chilli flavours develop and deepen when rested, so you can make it a day ahead and reheat it gently the next day. It also freezes well for future meals.
Swap kidney beans for baked beans, butter beans, chickpeas, or leave them out and add extra vegetables like sweetcorn or grated carrot for texture and nutrition.
Troubleshooting Guide
Even the best mild chilli con carne can sometimes need a little adjustment, so here's a simple troubleshooting guide to help you fix common issues and get perfect results every time.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Too bland or lacking flavour | Season as you go, use fresh, good-quality spices, and add extra smoked paprika, cumin, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust at the end. |
| Too watery or thin sauce | Simmer uncovered to reduce excess liquid, or mash a few beans into the sauce to thicken naturally. A small slurry of cornflour (cornstarch) and water can also help. |
| Too spicy, even though it's meant to be mild | Serve with creamy toppings like sour cream, yoghurt, grated cheese, or guacamole. |
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Recipe
Mild Chilli Con Carne for Kids
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Equipment
- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 100 g Chorizo cut into 1cm discs
- 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
- 1 Red Pepper cut into strips
- 500 g Minced Beef (Ground Beef)
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 400g Tin of Cream of Tomato Soup
- 2 tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce
- 400g Tin of Kidney Beans drained
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt, Pepper and Fresh Coriander to serve
Instructions
- Fry the chorizo in a shallow casserole or frying pan for a few minutes until it starts releasing its oil (you might want to add a little bit of olive oil depending how much is released from the chorizo).100 g Chorizo
- Add the finely chopped onion and garlic, then cook for a few minutes until the onion softens.1 Onion, 2 Garlic Cloves
- Add the red pepper and cook for another couple of minutes, stirring frequently.1 Red Pepper
- Stir in the chilli powder, smoked paprika, ground coriander, cumin, and oregano until fragrant.½ teaspoon Chili Powder, 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin, 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander, 1 teaspoon Oregano
- Add the minced beef and increase the heat slightly, cooking until the meat is browned all over.500 g Minced Beef (Ground Beef)
- Pour in the tomato soup, then fill the empty can with recently boiled water and add this too. Stir in the sweet chilli sauce and drained kidney beans, mixing everything well.400g Tin of Cream of Tomato Soup, 400g Tin of Kidney Beans, 2 tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Taste and season with salt and pepper, then serve with coriander with your chosen sides.Salt, Pepper and Fresh Coriander to serve
Notes
- Grate extra vegetables like carrot, courgette, or sweet potato into the sauce to boost nutrition without changing the taste.
- If you don't have tomato soup, swap it for smooth passata or a tin of chopped tomatoes and add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity.
- Draining and rinsing kidney beans helps keep the sauce from becoming too thick, but you can add a second can for more beans.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a savoury depth; soy sauce or Marmite are good alternatives.
- Perfect for batch cooking and freezing - cool completely before freezing and defrost in the fridge before reheating.
Michelle says
Can't wait to give this a try for my kids! They like flavourful, but milder food, so this fits the bill. 🙂
Alisa Infanti says
This was excellent... my family loved it!
Angela says
Chorizo is such a great ingredient. I don't know why I never thought to add it to chili! I love the addition of the sweet chili sauce. Great recipe!
Neli Howard says
Mmmmm, this is my kind of comfort food! Such a great combo and perfect for the cold spring nights we’re having!
Michelle says
Perfectly! Everything is "spicy" to my kids. Sigh. So this is a great recipe with still lots of flavor.
Chloe says
Love this! Best chilli I’ve ever had and I make it regularly. I just add in black beans, an extra pepper, extra onion and garlic, dark chocolate, cinnamon and a tin of tomatoes now.
Tamsin says
I found the addition of water far too much and probably only needed half the can. I added a beef stock cube too, to improve the flavour.
Charlotte says
Love this recipe. Use it allllll the time. The Thai sweet chilli sauce is genious. I blitz up a tin of tomatoes instead of the soup (which we don’t usually have).
My kids love it and so do we. Thank you for putting this recipe out there!!