Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (2024)

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Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (1)

In Texas, chili is all about meat and spices. This Texas chili recipe won't disappoint. Large chunks of seared beef are seasoned with ancho and guajillo chiles which lend it earthy, deep and sweet taste with a good amount of spiciness that anyone will enjoy. This is definitely the best Texas chili I've ever made, or tried for that matter, and I am sure you will enjoy it too.

What makes this Texas chili recipe the best?

This chili is made of layers upon layers, upon layers of intense flavors from top to bottom. It starts with a cut of beef with intense beefy flavor. The meat is cut into bite-size pieces which are browned to perfection all around.

As someone who spent quite some time in Texas, I learned to appreciate no beans and real chili peppers instead of the usual 'chili powder' in my chili. That's right, this recipe uses real ancho and guajillo chiles, which gives it its amazing flavor, taste and intense color. I made this chili just spicy enough to maintain its character, but not too spicy so as to not be a turn off to those who aren't into very spicy food.

Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (2)

A true Texas chili must use lard, that's one of the essential components that make it Texas style chili. This recipe does not use lard, which is commonly found in Texas style chili, instead, it uses pork fat rendered from strips of bacon. It's the same thing, essentially, but fat rendered from bacon slices add way more flavor. Besides, it leaves you with some some crispy bacon bits you can snack on while cooking.

In general, this recipe is very balanced and super enjoyable. When I crave chili, this is the one I immediately think about.

Recipe adapted with changes fromDinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse.

Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (3)

Best Texas Chili Recipe

In Texas, chili is all about meat and spices. This Texas chili recipe won't disappoint. Large chunks of seared beef are seasoned with ancho and guajillo chiles which lend it earthy, deep and sweet taste with a good amount of spiciness that anyone will enjoy.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Servings: 10

Calories: 421kcal

Author: Victor

Ingredients

For step 1 - seared beef

  • 4 lbs beef chuck (trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 Tbsp ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 4 bacon slices (cut into 1-inch pieces)

For step 2 - the chili

  • 2 onions (medium size, chopped)
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
  • 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and membrane removed, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 lbs ripe tomatoes (skin removed and chopped (or use canned crushed tomatoes)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 Tbsp ground ancho chile
  • 1 Tbsp guajillo chile
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dark brown sugar

For step 3 - adding herbs and adjusting seasonings

  • 1 Tbsp dried oregano
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 bunch fresh cilantro (chopped)

For step 4 - adding garnishes and serving

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Chopped red onion
  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1 - searing the beef

  • Season the beef with 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper and set aside.

  • Heat a large dutch oven. Toss in bacon pieces and cook over medium-high heat until brown and crispy. Remove the bacon and save for other uses, we just use it for the flavor in this recipe.

  • Add the beef in small batches and cook until browned on all sides. Transfer the beef to a separate bowl and set aside.

Step 2 - cooking the chili

  • Add the onions, green peppers, and jalapenos into the Dutch oven and stir well, scraping bits from the bottom. Season the vegetables with a few turns of salt and pepper and cook until soft.

  • Throw in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the meat and juices back to the pot. Add the broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, chilies, cumin, and brown sugar. Stir well, cover and bring to a boil. Lower the temperature to medium low, partially cover with a lid and and simmer for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours or until the beef is tender.

Step 3 - adding herbs and adjusting seasonings

  • Remove the bay leaves. Add the oregano, lime juice and cilantro. Check for salt and pepper and adjust to taste. Add more ground chiles for more heat if desired. Stir well and turn off heat.

Step 4 - serving the chili

  • Ladle chili into bowls and top with chopped red onions, green onions and cheddar cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 1295mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1735IU | Vitamin C: 27.7mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 5.2mg

If you are looking for a tomato-less version of Texas chili, try this excellent recipe by Epicurious.

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Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Melanie Gardner says

    Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (4)
    I made this for a chili cook-off with my friends and it went over VERY WELL! Everybody loved it and my family loved it! This is my go to chili recipe! LOVE IT!! The bacon and the cilantro are the key ingredients, in my opinion!

    Reply

    • victor says

      Glad you liked it, Melanie. Thanks for the feedback.

      Reply

  2. Madison says

    Would you be able to make this in a slow cooker??

    Reply

    • victor says

      Outside of the searing part, yes, you can do it in a slow cooker.

      Reply

  3. Tammie Carlisle says

    Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (5)
    Do you think it would be ok to add a little Noyrbon to this recipe?

    Reply

    • victor says

      I don't see why not if you want that flavor.

      Reply

  4. Andy S. says

    I made this Thursday 1/24/19 and added kidney beans and served it over rice. It twas excellent! My family gave it two thumbs up.

    Reply

    • victor says

      Thanks, that's quite a compliment 😉

      Reply

  5. Scottie Galloway says

    Awesome Victor thanks, my fussy seven year old thought it was fantastic

    Reply

    • victor says

      You are very welcome!

      Reply

Best Texas Chili Recipe - Craving Tasty (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  • Brown the Meat.
  • Don't Forget Vegetables.
  • Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  • Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  • Opt for Dried Beans.
  • Season Early and Often.
  • Add Some Acidity at the End.
  • Top It Off.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  • Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  • Liquid Smoke. ...
  • Brine or Vinegar. ...
  • Soy Sauce. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  • Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

What is the difference between Texas chili and regular chili? ›

What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

How to add depth of flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What ingredient makes chili thick? ›

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews.

What is real Texas chili made of? ›

The original chili was made with dried beef pounded together with suet and dried chiles into a sort of pemmican-like dry mix intended to last a long time and be quick and nutritious for cowboys to rehydrate and stew up out on the range. These days, we've got refrigerators and fresh meat. So we use them.

What is Texas Roadhouse chili made of? ›

This Texas Roadhouse chili is made of ground beef, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato sauce, and spices. Some of the spices include chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder.

What do Texans call chili? ›

Chili Con Carne, a.k.a. Texas Red

The chili that was invented in San Antonio is said to be a bowl of "red": tender, individual stewed chunks of beef swaddled in a spicy, cumin-spiked sauce made from red chiles, which lend the dish an appealing russet hue. Texans take this heritage very seriously.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

How do you make chili even better? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What is the secret to competition chili? ›

Additional Depth of Flavor

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.

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