What Rice Goes with Chilli Con Carne? (Answered)

In order to make a delicious bowl of chilli con carne, you need to pick the right rice.

There are many different types of rice available on the market, but only some of them will go well with this dish.

In this article, we’ll look at how to choose the best kind of rice for your bowl of chilli con carne!

What Rice Goes with Chilli Con Carne?

Any kind of rice, but you’ll want to choose something that is not too sticky and does not soak up the chili sauce. The best pairing is basmati rice. It’s not as sticky as long grain rice, and it won’t absorb the chili sauce.

Still looking for options?

Then keep reading!

1. Basmati rice

Basmati is a long-grain rice that originates in India, but has become a staple in many other cultures’ cuisines around the world.

Its long, slender grains and mild flavor make it great for absorbing sauces and other flavors into its core, making it perfect for lightening up a heavy chilli con carne while adding some nutty flavor complexity.

We recommend cooking it on its own, without adding in any extra spices or flavorings until you’ve finished making your chilli—that way, when you add the chili to the finished basmati, you can use more of your own discretion in deciding how much spice to let through!

2. White rice

Next is white rice.

This humble staple is probably what you think of when you think of “rice.”

It’s most often boiled until soft and fluffy, but can also be baked or fried into crunchy treats like rice crackers and crisps.

White rice is known for being cheap and easy to cook, which makes it the perfect choice for all kinds of dishes—including chilli con carne!

3. Jasmine rice

Jasmine Rice is distinguished by its long grain and sticky texture when cooked.

It goes well in chilli con carne because it soaks up all the flavors of the chilli and adds to the depth of the meaty taste while also adding some sweet, nutty tones that make this dish even more enjoyable.

4. Brown rice

Brown Rice is another great choice when you’re making chilli con carne.

This medium-grain brown rice has a rich nutty flavor that complements the earthy chili flavors perfectly and makes them pop on your tongue.

It also helps balance out some of the heat from the spice blend added to give this dish some kick!

5. Wild rice

Wild rice is a good choice for chilli con carne because it’s the perfect balance between firm and soft.

It also has a nutty flavor that adds a new dimension to the dish.

However, it should be noted that wild rice takes around an hour to cook in a pot, so if you’re looking for something faster, you might want to look elsewhere.

6. Black Rice

Black rice is another option that adds an interesting flavor and texture to your dish.

It’s similar to wild rice in that it has a strong flavor and can take some time to prepare, but it’s firmer than wild rice when cooked.

In fact, some people might even say that this type of grain is too firm for their liking!

7. Mexican Red Rice

Mexican red rice is a deeply flavourful and rich-tasting dish that comes together in less than 20 minutes, but tastes like it’s been simmering away for hours.

Its deep red colour comes from the addition of tomato concentrate (also known as tomato paste), which adds an incredible depth to this dish.

The rice itself is boiled in chicken stock with aromatics like garlic and onion before adding tomato concentrate—the result is a beautiful, rich-tasting dish that pairs perfectly with a hearty beef and bean chilli con carne.

This dish is also delicious on its own if you’re looking for a quick side or lunch!

8. Arborio rice

Arborio rice has an interesting history: it was originally grown in Italy by farmers who were living under Napoleon’s rule.

Those farmers didn’t have enough money to buy wheat flour to make bread, so they used Arborio rice instead.

The result was risotto, that creamy rice you can eat with soup or as a side dish to chilli con carne.

How to Pick Rice That Goes well with Chilli Con Carne

Chilli con carne might be one of the most iconic dishes in Tex-Mex cuisine, and it’s a staple in Mexican food, as well.

While there are many kinds of rice that go well with chilli con carne, it can be a little overwhelming to pick the right one if you don’t know where to start.

Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect rice for your chilli con carne:

1. Pick Your Favorite Kind of Rice

This is important because you don’t want to eat something you don’t like just because it goes well with your dish.

For example, if you love Jasmine rice, use that—don’t settle for long-grain white rice just because it’s “traditional” (unless you love long-grain white rice).

2. Think About What Kind of Chilli Con Carne You’re Making

If you’re having trouble deciding what kind of rice to use, it might help to think about other foods that complement your favourite type of chilli con carne.

If you like to make your chilli con carne spicy and full of heat, then jasmine rice might be a good choice because it offers a nice contrast against the spice.

If your preference is for a milder chilli con carne, then you could try basmati or white japonica rice as they both have more subtle flavours.

3. Decide if You Want to Use Dry or Canned Beans in Your Chili

If you’re using dry beans, a longer-cooking rice will give them enough time to soften up nicely; if you’re going the canned bean route, consider a faster-cooking rice that will complement your chili without overstaying its welcome.

4. Choose Your Favorite Color

There are many different types of rice in the world, and each type is a different color.

If you choose a rice that’s not your favorite color, your chilli con carne will taste bland and boring.

5. Pick Your Flavor Profile

Are you going for something more understated and light, or are you looking to make a statement with your rice?

Long-grain rice can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices to enhance the flavor of your chilli con carne without overpowering it.

It’s an easy way to add some pizazz without going too far overboard.

If you’re looking to add some punch to your meal, try seasoning your short-grain rice with spices like cumin, ground coriander, or even cinnamon!

You’ll find that these flavors really compliment the spice in your chilli con carne without being too strong.

What Exactly Makes Some Rice Better than Others?

Well, it all depends on what type of texture and flavor you’re looking for in your chili.

If you love a spicier meal, look no further than long grain white rice.

This rice is light and fluffy, which makes it ideal for soaking up all those delicious spices.

If spice isn’t your thing but you still want something easy to chew on without getting overwhelmed by flavor, try out medium grain brown rice.

It’s got a subtle nutty flavor that pairs well with many different types of chili recipes.