Texas Chili is a hearty, thick chili loaded with tender beef and delicious chili flavors. With ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ steak and a slightly smokey flavor, this is a chili you must add to your list of chili recipes! If you are looking for a classic Midwestern recipe, try my Grandma’s Homemade Chili!
Texas Chili
We all know the phrase, ‘Everything’s Bigger in Texas’, and this Texas Chili fits right into that slogan when it comes to its flavor! This chili is packed with chunks of meat and flavor. And, we didn’t stop there. Just to make it a little ‘bigger’ we thickened up the chili at the end!
Since 1977, chili, otherwise known as ‘bowl of red‘, has been the official state food of Texas. And, Texas is very clear that beans do NOT belong in their ‘bowls of red’! In fact, Ken Finlay wrote a song called, ‘If you Know Beans About Chili, You Know Chili Has No Beans’. So, I made sure that I kept with that standard when I made my Texas Chili. Be sure to serve up a bowl of this chili with some homemade corn bread for the perfect meal!
Texas Chili Ingredients
Beef: I chose to use chuck roast for this recipe. I cut them into about 1-inch cubes. They are perfectly tender for every bite of this chili.
Peppers: I used two jalapenos in this recipe, as well as 1/2 cup of chipotles in adobo. This will guarantee the perfect spicy kick in your chili. You can adjust the amounts of both of these to your desired level of spice.
Masa Harina: Also known as “masa flour” or “Mexican flour” is used in this recipe as a thickening agent.
How to Store
Leftover Texas Chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You could also store in the freezer for up to six months. If freezing, be sure to use a freezer-safe container that is labeled and dated.
More Chili Recipes
Texas Chili “Bowl of Red”
Ingredients
Chili
- 5 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, diced
- ½ cup chipotles in adobo, minced, with sauce
- ¼ cup (32 g) chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 medium jalapeno peppers, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (960 g) chicken stock
Thickening Mixture
- ¼ cup (28.5 g) masa harina
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ cup (118 g) water
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Chili
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Season the beef cubes with salt.
- Heat the oil in large heavy bottom dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add beef in batches and cook until browned (3-4 minutes on each side). Transfer cooked beef cubes to a bowl and repeat with remaining beef. Remove all beef from the dutch oven.
- To the same dutch oven, add onions and stir occasionally, using your spatula to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Sauté for 5-10 minutes or until the onions are soft.
- Make a well in the center of the onions and add chipotle peppers. Cook 1 minute and stir to combine.
- Add jalapenos, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano and stir to combine. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, and cooked beef cubes, stir to combine.
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cover the chili and transfer it to the oven.
- Bake for 3 hours.
Thickening Mixture
- In a small bowl whisk together masa flour, chili powder, and water.
- Remove chili from the oven and pour the mixture into the chili. Stir to combine.
- Heat the chili over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the thickened.
- Add lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Very good! I made it for my church chili cook off and won! Thanks so much!
I’m confused on the part that says, “remove chili from oven and mix in with chili to combine.”
Hi Natasha-
Here is what it says
Thickening Mixture
In a small bowl whisk together masa flour, chili powder, and water.
Remove chili from the oven and pour the mixture into the chili. Stir to combine.
“Remove chili from the oven and pour the mixture into the chili. Stir to combine.”
So under the “thickening mixture” it says that you are to make the mixture then add it to the chili. Hope that helps.
Making my first time as we speak. Realized quickly I need a much bigger Dutch oven!!! (I only have a 3.5qt) Had to transfer to a pot instead since it was overflowing. Going low and slow on simmer and fingers crossed!!! But at least I have an excuse now to get a new pan lol. Smells delicious and can’t wait to taste!!
So the simmer option worked and it was soooo good!!!! Used my above excuse to get a bigger Dutch oven and now trying the true recipe which I am sure it will be just as tasty!!
Soon I’ll be making my fourth or fifth batch of this. It’s one of the best chilis I’ve ever had.
I do add a few Serranos as well as the jalapeños because I like the flavor.
This is the best chili I’ve ever had. I halved the recipe thinking 5lbs of beef would have too much but it went fast in my house. Next time full recipe
How many people does this serve?
I want the recipe for Texas Chili
Why chicken broth instead of beef broth or beef consommé?
Flavor.
Could I substitute mushrooms (portobellos) fro the chick? How many?
Is there a version for slow cookers
I tell many people that real chili has no beans n people tell me i do not know what i,m talking about
Ppl in KY put spaghetti noodles in their chili 🤦♀️
People in Missouri do the same. There is/was a restaurant called spaghetti red’s in Joplin. Best spag/chili ever!!