In the great U-S-A, I have to say Texas is one of the kings of chili. This bowl of red has no beans whatsoever so if you’re the kind of chili lover that goes wild with more meat in your bowl, this homemade Texas chili recipe is for you!
Best Texas Chili Recipe
This Texas chili is going to knock your socks off. It’s bursting with smokey, meaty flavors that you’re going to love. If you’ve never had Texas chili, it’s time you give the Lone Star state’s version a shot.
Homemade Texas Chili Ingredients
- Beef chuck – The main event here is this meat, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Yellow onion – Give this a fine chop.
- Celery – Dice about 3 to 4 stalks of it.
- Jalapenos – If you want your chili spicier, leave the seeds but if not, remove them.
- Garlic – Mince this for even distribution.
- Tomatoes – This red and saucy chili gets its signature color from tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes.
- Chili seasoning mix – You’ll need to put this together with chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, unsweetened cocoa powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and ground cinnamon.
- Brown sugar – Either dark or light, whatever you’ve got for adding a little sweetness.
- Dark beer – Trust me, this is what makes Texas chili so great. Save a bottle of it for yourself when you get to eat your chili too.
- Texas chili seasoning – You’ll also need bay leaves, oregano, fresh cilantro, parsley, masa harina, kosher salt, and pepper.
- Texas chili toppings – These are optional but I wouldn’t skip them. Sour cream, red onion, shredded cheddar, and cilantro are all awesome additions.
Easy Texas Chili Recipe
Yeah, the ingredient list is long but it is so easy to make this Texas chili. You’ll only spend 20 minutes prepping it and the rest comes together in your slow cooker.
How do you Make Texas Chili from Scratch?
You’ll brown the meat on your stovetop, just to sear it quickly. Then it goes in the slow cooker. In that same pan you used for browning, add the celery, onions, jalapeno, salt, and pepper, cooking until the celery is tender and onions are translucent. Then add the garlic and cook about 2 minutes more. Add the chili seasoning mix you made plus the oregano and brown sugar, cooking for 2 more minutes as you stir. Now the tomato paste goes in while you stir, then the beer. Cook for 4 minutes while everything reduces, then add it all to the slow cooker. You’ll then add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes and juices, plus bay leaves into the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. When the meat is fork-tender, take out the bay leaves, then add the cilantro, parsley, and masa harina (which thickens it up), then serve it up with your favorite toppings.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Texas Chili Every Time
- Buy quality meat. Since your Texas chili has no beans, the meat is the primary focus. Make it count!
- Don’t cook the meat through on the stovetop. You’re only searing it here. Let the slow cooker take over after that.
- Thicken it the way you want it. Some people like Texas chili super-thick while others prefer a looser consistency. Add that masa harina gradually until it is just the way you want it.
What is Texas style chili?
Texas style chili is all about the meat, peppers, and seasoning. If you’re not a big bean person, you will love this meaty version of chili.
What is Texas state chili?
In 1977, chili was declared the official state dish for Texas. They call it ‘bowl of red’ because of this proclamation.
What is the difference between Texas chili and regular chili?
Texas chili doesn’t have any beans. The focus here is the meat and the chili seasoning mixture that makes it like a spicy beef stew.
Do they put beans in chili in Texas?
No, there are no beans in chili in Texas. They only use meat and chili peppers.
Why do Texans not put beans in chili?
Texans love to compete and in chili cookoffs in particular, the judges don’t want beans in there because that flavor can dominate. As such, Texas chili is all about the meat and the seasoning.
How to Cook Texas Chili?
Texas chili has some prep work done on the stove to unite the ingredients and then cooks up in your slow cooker for an easy, hearty meal that’s perfect for any night.
What is the best secret ingredient for chili?
The chili seasoning mix is the best secret for chili. It features a bit of cocoa and spice for an eclectic yet balancing set of flavors.
How do you make chili taste more meaty?
The easiest way is to add more meat. Meat in Texas chili is the central focus, which allows all the flavors of the seasonings and peppers to speak clearly in this format.
What goes well with Texas Chili?
Serve up some cornbread, nachos, coleslaw, baked potatoes, chips and guac, onion rings, and a salad to fill up your table, though just know everyone is going to be focused on that Texas chili.
How to store Texas Chili?
After serving and it has cooled, you need to put this Texas chili in airtight containers and get them in the fridge.
How long does Texas Chili last?
In the fridge, you’ve got about 3 days before it’s no good. If you can’t eat all of it in that time, you should make sure you keep it in the freezer.
Can you freeze Texas Chili?
In your freezer, Texas chili holds up like a champ. You’ll have 4 months to use it from here.
How to reheat Texas Chili?
Just warm this up slowly in a pot on the stove. If it’s frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first and it will be just as easy to heat and eat.
Watch How To Make Texas Chili (Video)
Chuck's Texas Chili Recipe (Crockpot)
Ingredients
Chili Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (can substitute olive oil)
- 3 lb beef chuck (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup celery (diced, about 3-4 stalks of celery)
- 2 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 jalapeños (remove seeds for less spicy chili)
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp brown sugar (dark or light works)
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 12oz can/bottle dark beer
- 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tbsp masa harina
- sour cream (optional topping)
- red onion (optional topping)
- shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
- cilantro (chopped) (optional topping)
Chili Seasoning Mix
- 2 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika (can substitute regular paprika)
- 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- On your stovetop and using a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add your bite-sized meat pieces in a single layer until the bottom is covered. There is a lot of meat so you’ll need to do cook the meat in batches. Brown each side of your meat for about 1-2 minutes. Remember, you’re only searing the meat in the skillet, not cooking it all the way through. Once browned, place meat in the crock pot. Continue this process until all the meat is properly browned and in the crock pot. Feel free to add more oil to the pan as needed.
- Using the same pan, add celery, onions, jalapeño, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook until celery becomes tender and the onion is translucent. Then add your garlic and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes longer until garlic becomes aromatic.
- Then, add in you chili seasoning mix, oregano, and brown sugar and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes stirring the ingredients together.
- Next, add in the tomato paste while stirring to evenly combine all ingredients. Continue stirring to prevent the ingredients from burning. Add in your beer while stirring and cook for 4 minutes. Your ingredients will start to reduce. Next, add this mixture into the crock pot with your meat.
- Next, add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and bay leaves into the crock pot. Stir to evenly mix all ingredients. Place the cover on the crockpot and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours. You can tell when your chili is done by checking the meat, it should be fork tender.
- Next, using a spoon, remove bay leaves from your chili. Then add in your cilantro, parsley and masa harina and stir to combine. Masa harina will thicken your chili. So feel free to add in more one small spoonful at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with your desired toppings (fresh chopped onion, jalapeño, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, or sour cream).
