Texas Chili Recipe

This Texas chili recipe is a hearty delight that brings authentic flavors right to your kitchen. Perfect for gatherings, game days, or cozy nights in, this dish is rich, meaty, and packed with just the right amount of spice. With no beans in sight, this chili stands out as a true Texan classic that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Flavor: This Texas chili recipe captures the heart of traditional Texan cuisine with bold spices and rich beef.
• Easy Preparation: With straightforward steps, you can whip up this delicious meal without any fuss.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it on its own or with your favorite toppings like cheese, avocado, or sour cream for added flair.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This chili tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
• Spice Level Customization: Adjust the heat by modifying the types and amounts of peppers used to suit your taste.

Tools and Preparation

Before you begin cooking your Texas chili recipe, gather the necessary tools to streamline your process. Having everything ready ensures a smooth cooking experience and helps you achieve the best results.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Large pot
• Food processor
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons

Importance of Each Tool

• Large pot: Essential for simmering the beef and allowing all flavors to meld perfectly.
• Food processor: Makes blending the chili paste easy, ensuring a smooth texture without hassle.

Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need for this delicious Texas chili recipe:

• 3 ancho peppers
• 3 pasilla peppers
• 3 New Mexican dried peppers (See my NOTES above on the dried pepper choices – I prefer a variety)
• 2.5 pounds beef chuck (cut into bite-sized cubes)
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium white onion (chopped)
• 3 jalapeno peppers (chopped)
• 2 serrano peppers (chopped – optional for extra heat – use extra jalapenos for milder)
• 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 2 cups beef stock (or use a dark beef broth)
• 2.5 cups water (+ more as needed – or use chicken or beef stock, or beef broth)
• 2 tablespoons masa harina (corn flour, for thickening, if desired)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire

How to Make Texas Chili Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Dried Peppers

Start your chili paste first by lightly toasting the dried peppers in a dry pan about a minute or 2 per side. This will help release their essential oils.

Step 2: Prepare Peppers

Remove from heat and cool enough to handle. Remove the stems and pour out the seeds.

Step 3: Soak Peppers

Soak the peppers in hot water for 20 minutes until they are nice and soft.

Step 4: Blend Chili Paste

Add them to a food processor with 1/2 to 1 cup of soaking water and a bit of salt to taste. Process until nice and smooth. Set aside for now.

Step 5: Season Beef

Add cubed beef to a large bowl and toss with cumin along with salt and pepper until evenly coated.

Step 6: Sear Beef

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add seasoned beef and cook for 6–7 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove beef from pot and set aside.

Step 7: Cook Vegetables

In the same pot, add remaining olive oil along with chopped jalapenos, serranos, and onion. Cook down for about 5 minutes until softened.

Step 8: Add Garlic

Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 9: Combine Ingredients

Return seared beef to the pot. Stir in reserved chili paste and cook for another 2–3 minutes to let flavors develop.

Step 10: Add Liquids

Stir in beef broth (or dark beef broth), water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and masa harina; bring mixture to a quick boil. If using optional additions mentioned earlier, add them now.

Step 11: Simmer Chili

Reduce heat to low; cover pot and simmer for about 2 hours until beef is very tender. Stir occasionally every 30 minutes; if too thick, add another ¼ cup of water as needed. Thicken further with more masa if desired.

Step 12: Serve Hot

Serve warm alongside your favorite toppings like cheese or fresh herbs!

Enjoy your homemade Texas chili recipe that’s sure to impress family and friends alike!

How to Serve Texas Chili Recipe

Serving Texas chili is an opportunity to get creative and make the dish even more enjoyable. You can enhance the flavors and presentation with a variety of toppings and sides that complement this hearty meal.

Toppings for Texas Chili

• Shredded Cheese: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack adds richness and balances the spiciness.
• Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream can cool down the heat and add a creamy texture.
• Chopped Green Onions: Fresh green onions provide a crunchy, mild onion flavor that brightens up the dish.
• Fresh Cilantro: Adding chopped cilantro gives a fresh herbal note that pairs well with the chili’s spices.
• Jalapeno Slices: For those who crave more heat, sliced jalapenos are an excellent topping option.

Accompaniments for Texas Chili

• Cornbread: Sweet cornbread serves as a perfect side to soak up the savory flavors of chili.
• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy tortilla chips provide a satisfying contrast and can be used for dipping.
• Rice: Serving chili over rice makes it more filling and adds a comforting element to the meal.

How to Perfect Texas Chili Recipe

Perfecting your Texas chili recipe involves attention to detail and some culinary tricks. Here are some tips to elevate your dish:

• Bold Flavors: Use a variety of dried peppers for depth. Mixing different types enhances the complexity of flavor.
• Marinate Beef: Letting the cubed beef marinate with spices before cooking deepens its flavor profile.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Allowing the chili to simmer for hours ensures tender meat and melds flavors beautifully.
• Taste as You Go: Adjust seasonings during cooking. Tasting at various stages helps achieve your desired heat and seasoning balance.

Best Side Dishes for Texas Chili Recipe

Pairing side dishes with Texas chili can elevate your meal experience. Here are some great options:

1. Cornbread: A sweet, buttery bread that perfectly complements spicy chili.
2. Rice: White or brown rice serves as a neutral base to absorb chili flavors.
3. Tortilla Chips: Crunchy chips for dipping enhance texture while complementing the chili’s richness.
4. Coleslaw: A crunchy, tangy slaw adds freshness and contrasts nicely with warm chili.
5. Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal grilled vegetables bring color and health benefits to your meal.
6. Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado slices provide healthy fats and smoothness alongside spicy flavors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making Texas chili can be a delightful experience, but it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Bold choice of peppers: Using the wrong type or not enough variety of peppers can dull the flavor. Stick with ancho, pasilla, and New Mexican dried peppers for authenticity.
• Bold seasoning oversight: Forgetting to season the beef adequately can lead to bland chili. Don’t skip the salt, pepper, and cumin during preparation.
• Bold cooking time misjudgment: Not allowing enough simmering time can result in tough meat. Aim for at least 2 hours to ensure tenderness.
• Bold thickening errors: Adding too much masa harina too quickly can create clumps. Gradually incorporate it to achieve the desired thickness without lumps.
• Bold ingredient substitutions: Using canned beans or other unwanted ingredients goes against traditional Texas chili. Stick with beef and the authentic spices for true flavor.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover Texas chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Allow the chili to cool completely before sealing it in containers.

Freezing Texas Chili Recipe

• Freeze Texas chili in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Leave some space at the top of containers as chili expands when frozen.

Reheating Texas Chili Recipe

• Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chili in an oven-safe dish covered with foil and heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Microwave: Transfer a portion of chili into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through until hot.
• Stovetop: Pour the chili into a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally and heat until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making a Texas chili recipe:

What makes a Texas Chili Recipe different from other chilis?

Texas chili is known for its focus on meat rather than beans or tomatoes, highlighting beef and various spices for deep flavor.

Can I use chicken instead of beef?

Yes! You can substitute chicken in this Texas chili recipe; just adjust cooking times accordingly since chicken cooks faster than beef.

How spicy is this Texas Chili Recipe?

The spiciness depends on your choice of jalapenos and serranos. Adjust these ingredients based on your heat preference.

Can I prepare this Texas Chili Recipe in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead allows flavors to meld beautifully. Just store it properly as outlined above.

How do I customize my Texas Chili Recipe?

You can add more vegetables like bell peppers or adjust spice levels by adding different types of chilies according to your taste.

Final Thoughts

This Texas chili recipe is not only hearty and satisfying but also versatile enough for many occasions. Feel free to customize it with your favorite toppings or adjust the spice level based on your preferences. Give it a try—you won’t be disappointed!