Best Texas Chili Recipes

TRUE TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• 1. Place the chiles in a straight-sided large skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the chiles until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Don't let them burn or they'll turn bitter. Place the chiles in a bowl and cover them with very hot water and soak until soft, 15 to 45 minutes, turning once or twice.
• 2. Drain the chiles; split them and remove stems and seeds (a brief rinse helps remove seeds, but don't wash away the flesh). Place the chiles in the bowl of a blender and add the cumin, black pepper, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/4 cup water. Purée the mixture, adding more water as needed (and occasionally scraping down the sides of the blender jar), until a smooth, slightly fluid paste forms (you want to eliminate all but the tiniest bits of skin.) Set the chile paste aside.
• 3. Return skillet to medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the lard. When it begins to smoke, swirl skillet to coat and add half of the beef. Lightly brown on at least two sides, about 3 minutes per side, reducing the heat if the meat threatens to burn. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with 2 more tablespoons of lard and the remaining beef. Reserve.
• 4. Let the skillet cool slightly, and place it over medium-low heat. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of lard in the skillet; add the onion and garlic and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, the remaining 2 cups water and gradually whisk in the masa harina to avoid lumps. Stir in the reserved chile paste, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spatula to loosen any browned bits. Add the reserved beef (and any juices in the bowl) and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain the barest possible simmer (just a few bubbles breaking the surface) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender but still somewhat firm and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of thickened but still liquid sauce surrounds the cubes of meat, about 2 hours.
• 5. Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar thoroughly and add more salt to taste; gently simmer 10 minutes more. At this point, it may look like there is excess sauce. Turn off the heat and let the chili stand for at least 30 minutes, during which time the meat will absorb about half of the remaining sauce in the skillet, leaving the meat bathed in a thick, somewhat fluid sauce. Stir in additional broth or water if the mixture seems too dry. If the mixture seems a bit loose and wet, allow it to simmer a bit more (sometimes we like to partially crush the cubes of beef with the back of a spoon to let them absorb more sauce). Adjust the balance of flavors with a bit of additional salt, sugar, or vinegar, if you like.
• 6. Reheat gently and serve in individual bowls with a dollop of sour cream on top and a lime wedge on the side.

TEXAS CHILI DOG

Steps:

• To make chili, brown ground beef in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saucepan for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
• Add onion and red bell pepper, stirring well. Add tomato sauce and seasonings, stirring well.
• Allow mixture to bubble for about 10 minutes, then reduce heat to simmer and cook at least 30 minutes.
• To make hot dogs, cook on your grill or on a grill pan until just seared on the outside.
• Meanwhile, toast buns in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes, taking care not to brown.
• Swipe each bun with mustard, top with chili as desired, followed by grated cheese, onion and, if you're brave, jalapenos.
• If you'd like the cheese all melty, place chili dogs on a foil-lined cookie sheet and run under a hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese bubbles.

TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Place a Dutch oven or other large pot over medium heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the meat and sauté until browned, then transfer to a plate.
• Add the onion to the pot and stir for 1 minute. Take two large sips from the beer, and pour the rest into the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, coffee and tomato paste.
• Add the brown sugar, chile sauce, cocoa powder, hot pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and kidney beans. Return the meat to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, for 1 hour.
• Add the white beans to the pot and simmer over very low heat, partly covered and stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 more hours. (Longer cooking improves the flavor.) Adjust salt and cayenne pepper as needed and serve.

TEXAS CHILI FRIES

Steps:

• Place onion and carrot in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Toss beef with 2 tablespoons flour. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat; brown beef in batches. Transfer meat to slow cooker. , Drain tomatoes; reserving liquid. In a small bowl, whisk drained liquid, chili seasoning and remaining flour until blended; pour over beef. Stir in the tomatoes, beans and peppers. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, about 6 hours., Prepare fries according to package directions. Serve chili over fries; sprinkle with cheese. If desired, top with sour cream and jalapeno slices.

AWARD WINNING TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Brown ground sirloin and drain.
• Add beef and chicken broth and tomato sauce to meat and bring to a boil.
• Add first spices 2 tsp granulated onion,1/2 tsp cayenne, 2 tsp Wylers beef granules, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp Wylers chicken granules, 1 tbsp light chili powder, 2 tbsp dark chili powder.
• Cover and cook 1 hour.
• After 1 hour add:2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp granulated garlic, 2 tbsp dark chili powder, 1 tbsp light chili powder, 1 packet sazon goya (found on Mexican food aisle).
• Adjust liquid with remainder of chicken broth, if necessary.
• Cover and cook 30 minutes
• After 2nd spice dump and 30 minutes add:1 tbsp dark chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp granulated garlic, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp brown sugar.
• Reduce heat to a slow boil.
• Cook 10 minutes.
• Adjust salt, cayenne, and light chili powder to taste.

TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Remove the stems and some of the seeds from the ancho, arbol and guajillo chiles; then tear the chiles into large pieces. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, toast the chiles until they start to change color, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup hot water to just cover the chiles; turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let steam for 15 minutes. Transfer the chiles and liquid to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, onions, peppers, Fresno chiles and Anaheim peppers. Cook until the onions are translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside on a baking sheet or in a bowl.
• Sprinkle the beef chuck and ground beef with salt and pepper, then add to the Dutch oven. Cook until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, cayenne and cinnamon; saute until fragrant, about 2 more minutes. Add the sauteed vegetables, beef stock and the chile puree, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce to a very low simmer. Simmer until the beef is very tender and the liquid has reduced, about 2 hours. Stir in the beer and paprika, then add the masa harina to tighten sauce. Stir over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, breaking up some of the beef so it gets worked into the sauce slightly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat, cover and keep warm.
• Serve generous portions of chili in bowls, drizzled with Cheddar Beer Cheese Sauce and garnished with sour cream, scallions, red onion and crackers.
• Remove the stems and some of the seeds from the ancho, arbol and guajillo chiles; then tear the chiles into large pieces. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, toast the chiles until they start to change color, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup hot water to just cover the chiles; turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let steam for 15 minutes. Transfer the chiles and liquid to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, onions, peppers, Fresno chiles and Anaheim peppers. Cook until the onions are translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside on a baking sheet or in a bowl.
• Sprinkle the beef chuck and ground beef with salt and pepper, then add to the Dutch oven. Cook until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, cayenne and cinnamon; saute until fragrant, about 2 more minutes. Add the sauteed vegetables, beef stock and the chile puree, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce to a very low simmer. Simmer until the beef is very tender and the liquid has reduced, about 2 hours. Stir in the beer and paprika, then add the masa harina to tighten sauce. Stir over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, breaking up some of the beef so it gets worked into the sauce slightly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat, cover and keep warm.
• Serve generous portions of chili in bowls, drizzled with Cheddar Beer Cheese Sauce and garnished with sour cream, scallions, red onion and crackers.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and flour and mix together to make a roux. Cook until nutty and fragrant but still light in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the beer and half-and-half, whisking to create a smooth, thick sauce. Add the Cheddar, cream cheese, Worcestershire, salt, dry mustard, paprika, cayenne and pepper. Cook over low heat, while continuing to whisk, for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm until ready to serve.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and flour and mix together to make a roux. Cook until nutty and fragrant but still light in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the beer and half-and-half, whisking to create a smooth, thick sauce. Add the Cheddar, cream cheese, Worcestershire, salt, dry mustard, paprika, cayenne and pepper. Cook over low heat, while continuing to whisk, for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm until ready to serve.

EASY TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Cook and stir the beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large pot over medium heat until the beef is brown and onion and pepper are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain grease from beef.
• Stir in beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapenos (if using), chili powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Bring mixture to a slow boil; cover and reduce heat. Simmer chili at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it does not stick. This chili can be simmered for several hours; the longer you simmer, the more flavor you will get.

SLOW-COOKER TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Toss the beef with 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef in batches until browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes (do not crowd the pan). Transfer to a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chiles, cumin and chili powder and cook 3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and the tomatoes and simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low, 7 hours.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the hot sauce to the chili. Serve with scallions, cilantro and/or sour cream for topping, and chips, if desired. (Reserve 3 to 4 cups for Chili-Corn Casserole.).
• Use the leftover chili to make Chili-Corn Casserole.

TEXAS RED CHILI

Steps:

• Toast dried chiles in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and blistered, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove stem and seeds; discard. Transfer chiles to a large measuring cup or bowl, and cover with hot water. Keep chiles submerged with a small bowl, and let soak for 30 minutes. Remove from water, and puree in a blender with 1/2 cup soaking liquid.
• Heat a large heavy pot over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Season beef with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Brown beef in batches, adding more oil as needed, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil, the onions, garlic, and minced chiles to pot, and cook over medium-high heat until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. (If the pan gets too dark, add a little water, and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon to deglaze.) Add cumin and oregano, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Stir in browned beef and chile puree. Add tomato puree, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer gently, partially covered, until meat is very tender and juices are thick, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. (Check pot once an hour for excessive evaporation; if chili seems dry, add a little water.) Season chili with salt, and stir in vinegar. Serve immediately (or refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally).

REAL TEXAS CHILI (CHILI CON CARNE)

Steps:

• Grind the meat through the coarse blade of a meat grinder.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the meat in small batches in the bacon drippings.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked meat to a second large heavy skillet. Set aside.
• Wash the ancho peppers in cold water. Discard the stems and seeds, and tear the peppers into 2 inch pieces.
• Place the pieces of pepper in a small sauce pan with 2 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Drain the peppers, reserving the cooking water. Peel the skin from the peppers and place the peppers in the bowl of a food processor. Add the reserved water. Puree with short pulses.
• Mix the pureed pepper into the beef. Add 3 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a slow simmer and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes.
• Stir in oregano, cumin, salt, cayenne, and garlic. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.
• Mix in the masa harina. Cover. Reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking.
• If the mixtures is too thick, thin it with a small amount of boiling water.
• Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Serve with hunks of smokin' hot cornbread and a tall iced tea.

RUDY'S TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add the dark, light and California chili powders, cumin, oregano and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce, green chiles, beef and chicken broths, chipotles, lime juice, molasses and hot sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the diced tomatoes and dried California and New Mexico chiles and let simmer for 15 minutes.
• With an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Simmer for 1 hour, adding cheap beer if the sauce thickens too much. Stir in the beef and heat through. Taste for seasoning.

TEXAS DEER CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook venison, onion and garlic in oil until meat is browned. Transfer to a slow cooker and stir together with chiles, beans, broth oregano, cumin, salt and paprika. Cook on medium 4 to 5 hours.

OUR FAVORITE TEXAS BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large, dry skillet over high heat and toast peppers in batches, until browned in spots but not burned, 30 to 45 seconds per side. Toast garlic cloves in their skins in the same skillet, tossing, until browned in spots, about 3 minutes.
• If chiles are dusty, rub them gently with a damp paper towel. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove stems and seeds. Place chiles de árbol in a small heatproof bowl. Place all other chiles in a large heatproof bowl. Pour very hot water over chiles until submerged and let soak for 45 minutes, placing a plate on top of chiles to keep them submerged if necessary
• Peel garlic cloves and place cloves in blender. Add all the soaked chiles except for the chiles de árbol along with 4 cups of the soaking liquid. Add 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and honey. Purée until smooth. Taste and add chiles de árbol to your preference (start with 4 for mild or 6 for medium heat; add additional to taste if you would like more heat).
• Strain the purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, using a rubber spatula to press the purée through. Set puree aside.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of lard. Add 1/3 of the beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and lightly brown the meat, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl, reserve, and repeat with remaining 2 batches of beef, seasoning each with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Lower the heat to medium and add 1 more tablespoon lard. Cook the onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt until soft, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add the chile purée and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until purée has lost its raw chile flavor, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups broth, oregano, and the beef. Combine the masa harina with 2 cups water and add to the mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until meat is tender and broth is thickened, about 3 hours.
• Add sugar and vinegar 1 tablespoon at a time, tasting to see if the chili needs more. Add cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Allow the chili to sit at least an hour and up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with lime wedges, sour cream, onion, jalapeño, and/or cilantro.

GUY'S TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chiles and tear them into large pieces. Toast the chiles in a large skillet over medium-high heat until they start to change color, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add hot water to just cover the chiles. Cover and let steam for 15 minutes. Place the chiles and liquid in a blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine the olive oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, Fresno chile and Anaheim chiles and cook until the onion is translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add both kinds of beef and cook until browned and cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Add the flour, chili powder, cumin, black pepper and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Deglaze the pot by adding the beer and scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the stock, blended chiles and salt and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer.
• Partially cover the pot and simmer until the beef is tender and the chili has thickened, about 2 hours. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cilantro, cover and keep warm until serving. Serve with toppings.

AUTHENTIC 1840 TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Render the fat to liquid.
• Add the beef, and brown lightly, then add onions and garlic.
• (IMPORTANT Do NOT drain the fat or drippings).
• Cook over medium heat, until onions are translucent, then add spices, stirring gently until blended.
• Continue over low heat for at least two hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
• Add salt to taste, though it doesn't need much.
• If it gets too thick, you can add water, but remember that chili is reputed to be able to stand a spoon up straight!
• Its edible after two hours, but improves vastly with time, so don't be afraid to cook 6 or 8 or ten hours --
• After you've tried the "original" recipe as above, you could add one or two jalapeno's, a single tomato and/or green pepper, just to fully appreciate how far this dish has evolved -- .

SLOW-COOKER TEXAS CHUCK WAGON CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in 4-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook onions in oil 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
• Stir in beef, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook about 13 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is lightly browned; drain. Place beef mixture in 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in chilies, cumin and broth.
• Cover and cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours.
• Stir in bell peppers. Increase heat setting to High. Cover and cook 10 to 12 minutes or until bell peppers are hot. Serve with cheese.

TEXAS CHILI PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and bell pepper over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked and bell pepper is crisp-tender; drain.
• Stir in chili seasoning mix, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, beans and water. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Add pasta, two-thirds of the French-fried onions and 1 cup of the cheese; stir gently. Spoon into baking dish.
• Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; place foil sprayed side down over baking dish. Bake 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining French-fried onions, the bacon and remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.

DADDY'S 'IF THEY'DA HAD THIS AT THE ALAMO WE WOULD'HA WON!' TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Melt the bacon drippings in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent.
• Combine the beef with the garlic, ground chile, chili powder and cumin. Add this meat-and-spices to the onions in the pot. Break up any meat that sticks together as you cook, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes, until meat is evenly browned (very browned, not just gray). Sprinkle in Hungarian paprika and oregano.
• Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt, parsley and jalapeno. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. NOTE: True Texans DO NOT add beans to their chili, but my husband loves them, so this is the point where you can add as many cans of drained and rinsed pinto beans as you wish (I add 2 cans, but shhhhhh don't tell my Daddy!!!).
• During cooking you may squeeze the jalapeno as it softens against the sides of the pot to release more heat if desired.
• Mix in the masa harina, and cook while stirring for 30 minutes longer, or until desired consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust seasonings.

TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup stock to a boil. Add chilies. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 20 minutes. Remove and discard stems from seeds from chiles. Put chiles and soaking liquid into a food processor or blender. Cover and process until smooth., In a large bowl, combine 4 tablespoons flour , salt and pepper. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and toss to coat. , In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Brown beef in batches, adding additional oil as necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add onion to same pan; cook and stir until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1-2 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups broth, stirring to loosen browed bits from pan. Stir in chile mixture. Return beef to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered until beef is tender, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Skim fat. Stir vinegar, cilantro, brown sugar and cumin; simmer another 10 minutes. If desired, serve with tortillas, sour cream, lime wedges and additional cilantro.

WICK FOWLER'S AUTHENTIC TEXAS CHILI - BEST CHILI IN TEXAS!

Steps:

• Brown ground beef or cubed beef and add the onions,bell pepper and garlic-Drain the fat.
• ADD the following and stir:.
• 1 - 46 oz can of Campbell tomato juice.
• 1 - 15 oz can diced tomatos - drained -.
• ADD the seasoning packets, except RED PEPPER AND MASA. (Try the Masa the first time, you might like it, it changes the taste of the chile, I don't use it because of that reason).
• COVER and simmer 30 minutes or until meat is tender. Stir occasionally.
• For a thicker chili, stir the packet of Masa flour into 1/4 cup of warm water.
• Stir into chili and simmer 30 minutes.