This is the Best Real Texas Chili Recipe (2024)

A true Texas chili will always include meat (chili con carne), and the flavor of the meat along with the flavor of the chili pepper will dominate the dish. There are rarely a lot of fillers included, like beans or added vegetables, which can dull the flavor. We've got a great Texas chili recipe for you, so let's get right into it.

The History of Chili

When many of us think of chili, we associate it with Mexican cuisine. However, Mexicans, in general, consider the dish an imitation of their cuisine that is available in the United States.

The origin of chili is unknown, but many believe the first recipe may have been written by a mysterious nun in Southwestern America back in the 17th century.

While there is no evidence of this, what is a bit more believable is that families emigrated from the Canary Islands to Texas, where they made a spicy Spanish stew that is similar to chili in the early 1730s.

If we continue following history, there are many more who lay claim to the invention of chili throughout the 1800s, including a Dallas millionaire and those residing in Texas prisons. But whatever the origin of the food may be, it certainly is a popular and well-loved dish today.

So, although the origin of chili may be up for debate, most sources seem to give Texas credit for coming up with the recipe. That being said, the Texas recipe is arguably most true to what chili is all about.

Other types of chili include Cincinnati chili, which has spices like cinnamon and even cocoa, that can bring a certain sweetness to the dish. Classic chili is another version and generally has more vegetables added.

Real Texas Chili

This recipe is obviously a representation of the classic Texas chili we all know and love. It has just the right kick and the perfect blend of ingredients that lets the flavor be the star. Try cooking some up for your family tonight to find out how much they enjoy this timeless recipe.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
28 ounces whole tomatoes
12 ounces beer
5 Tablespoons chili powder
2 jalapeño chili, seeded and chopped
1 Tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
cayenne pepper, optional
cheddar cheese, shredded
red onion, chopped
avocado, sliced

Directions:

1. Heat oil in 6 quart saucepan. Add ground beef, onions and garlic and sauté until meat is browned.

2. Stir in next 7 ingredients and bring to boil over medium-high heat.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, about 45 to 55 minutes.

4. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, if desired. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with cheese, onion and avocado, if desired.

Storing Leftover Chili

No matter how good a chili recipe might be, there's always a chance for leftovers. Storing your leftover chili correctly is very important. If you store it improperly, it may not last as long as you want it to. First, make sure you store your chili no later than two hours after it has been prepared. Leaving chili out to sit for longer than two hours is a recipe for disaster.

Grab a plastic, sealable container and fill with the leftover chili. Of course, you can also partition the leftovers out into multiple small containers, if you wish. Once you've transitioned the chili from pot to container, seal it up tight. It's very important that you seal the container properly, since otherwise your chili won't keep well.

We don't recommend using a Ziploc bag or similar. While these can work in a pinch if you have nothing else, they aren't ideal. Bags can break open easily, especially when very full. Not only will this result in improperly-stored chili, but it will potentially leave a mess all over your fridge. Stick to regular containers!

Once stored, chili can be kept refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for four to six months. Frozen chili can still be safe to eat beyond six months, but it will take a sharp decline in quality after the six month mark. Make sure you put the date of freezing on each container of chili, so that you can accurately track how long it has been frozen for.

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This is the Best Real Texas Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 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 the secret to amazing chili? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Is Texas Roadhouse chili made from scratch? ›

Is Texas Roadhouse Chili made from Scratch? Yes, this chili recipe that Texas Roadhouse is made from scratch daily. It is served on their starter menu but I have eaten as my main meal. This thick and juicy chili is topped with cheddar cheese and green onions.

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 considered real chili? ›

This Texas classic doesn't include beans or tomatoes, only beef, homemade chile paste, and a few flavorings. It's what Texans call a "Bowl o' Red" and tastes intensely of its two main ingredients.

Why doesn t Texas chilli have beans? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.

What did cowboys eat chili? ›

Chuck wagon cooks on the trail made “a bowl of red” popular. They were given the tougher, cheaper cuts of beef for their provisions, and would chop up this meat and simmer it with lots of hot chiles for a long time, until the meat became tender and was surrounded by a thick, spicy gravy.

Should chili have beans in it? ›

In all likelihood, beans have long been a part of chili, even in Texas. And while purists will argue the point until they're red in the face, that fight doesn't hold sway with historians like Guerra. Cowboys mixed chili and beans on their tin plates according to the Chili Appreciation Society International.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

Mmm! Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

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.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Is Wendy's chili made from leftover meat? ›

This meant that Thomas' restaurant was throwing away hundreds of pounds of fresh meat each week, according to The Food That Built America on History. In order to stop wasting food (and also save the company money), Thomas created a new product that used the leftover beef: chili.

How do Texans eat chili? ›

I use tortillas or biscuits. One of my daughters prefers cornbread.” “The official dish of the State of Texas: a bowl of red has no beans. Whatever you want to go with it—tortillas, cornbread, crackers.

Is chili mexican or texan? ›

Food historians speculate that chili originated in Texas-Mexico border towns and spread north. In the 1880s San Antonio's downtown was famous for Hispanic outdoor vendors called "chili queens." At Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Texas-style chili was popular, and at St.

Why is it called Texas chili? ›

In 1977, chili manufacturers and members of the Chili Appreciation Society International successfully lobbied the Texas state legislature to have chili proclaimed the official "state dish" of Texas “; in recognition of the fact that "the only real 'bowl of red' is that prepared by Texans.” Chili became the official ...

What's the difference between hot dog chili and regular chili? ›

What's the difference between hot dog chili and regular chili? Hot dog chili is much thicker than soup chili. It also usually doesn't contain beans. The meat in hot dog chili is also very finely ground whereas in soup chili, it is chunkier.

What's the difference between Texas red chili and chili Colorado? ›

And while Texas chili is usually all beef, people often cook their chile colorado with pork instead.

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