This Texas chili is chunks of beef that are slow simmered with a variety of spices to make a rich and hearty stew. A no bean chili that’s packed with flavor and is always a hit with family and friends.

You can never go wrong with zesty soup recipes , whether it’s turkey chili , vegetarian chili , white chicken chili , green chile verde or this meaty Texas style version. Add a variety of toppings, then watch the rave reviews come in!

A bowl of Texas chili topped with cheese and sour cream. - 1

There are so many different ways to enjoy chili, but Texas chili might be my very favorite. It’s all about the meat and spices, no beans to get in the way of anything. Best of all, it’s actually quite easy to make. All you need is a well stocked spice cabinet and some time to let things simmer.

  • Texas Chili Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Texas Chili?
  • Tips For The Perfect Chili
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Chili Recipes
  • Texas Chili Video
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Texas Chili Recipe

Texas Chili Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cocoa powder, coriander, oregano, sugar, cornmeal, vegetable oil, beef stew meat, salt, black pepper, onion, poblano peppers, jalapenos, garlic, tomato sauce, chipotle pepper, beef broth and a bay leaf.

Bowls of ingredients including beef, peppers, onions and spices. - 2

How Do You Make Texas Chili?

Start by mixing together a spice blend which includes chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cocoa powder, sugar, coriander, oregano and cornmeal. This mixture flavors the chili, and the cornmeal helps thicken everything up. Brown the cubes of beef in a pan, then add onions, chili peppers and garlic. Place the spice mix in the pot and cook to deepen the flavors of the spices. Add beef broth, tomato sauce and a bay leaf, then let the mixture come to a simmer. Cook for 3 hours or until beef is tender and the chili is thick. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice, and enjoy!

A bowl of different spices. - 3

Tips For The Perfect Chili

  • Choose a well marbled cut of beef such as stew meat, round roast, or chuck roast for best results.
  • This dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days . You can freeze the chili for 2 months. Let the frozen chili thaw in the fridge over night, then heat on the stove until warm.
  • If the chili seems like it’s getting too thick before the meat is tender, you can add more beef broth or water , 1/4 cup at a time.
  • I use both poblano and jalapeno peppers in this recipe. I remove the seeds and ribs for a milder chili. If you prefer chili with some heat, you can leave some of the seeds and ribs in the peppers.
  • Serve your chili with honey cornbread on the side for a complete meal!

Quick Tip

It’s important to sear the meat in a single layer so it browns nicely, if the pan is too crowded the meat can steam. You may need to brown the meat in batches depending on the size of your pan.

Seared beef chunks in a pot. - 4

The main difference between Texas chili and other types of chili is that beans are never used. Texas chili also goes light on the tomato products. You might see tomato sauce or paste, but no chunks of tomatoes. This variety of chili contains beef stew meat or chuck roast, which is another way that it differs from other types.

You call chili without beans Texas chili or chili con carne.

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Flavor Variations

This chili is fabulous as-is, but you can add other flavors to make it your own.

  • Meat: While chunks of beef is traditional, I have also seen this dish made with ground beef. Sometimes I also add bacon for a smoky flavor.
  • Beans: Yes, beans are not authentic here, but you can add a can of pinto or kidney beans if you really like the flavor and texture.
  • Toppings: Finish your bowl of chili with diced onions, cilantro, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, avocado or sliced jalapeno.
A spoon holding up a serving of Texas chili. - 5

You simply can’t go wrong with Texas style chili. It’s full of rich flavor and ultra tender meat, and is great for feeding a crowd!

More Chili Recipes

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Instant Pot Chili

35 mins

A bowl of beef chili topped with cheese, sour cream and green onions. - 7

Beef Chili Recipe

1 hr

A skillet of chili cheese fries topped with sour cream and green onions. - 8

Chili Cheese Fries

1 hr 5 mins

A bowl of slow cooker chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and green onions. - 9

Slow Cooker Chili

4 hrs 10 mins

A skillet of chili mac topped with melted cheese, diced tomatoes and minced onion. - 10

Chili Mac (One Pot!)

30 mins

Texas Chili Video

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the spice mix

  • ▢ 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons cornmeal

For the chili

  • ▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ▢ 3 1/2 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ▢ salt and pepper to taste
  • ▢ 1 cup onion diced
  • ▢ 3/4 cup poblano peppers core, seeds and ribs removed, then diced
  • ▢ 2 jalapenos seeds and ribs removed, then finely diced
  • ▢ 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • ▢ 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • ▢ 1 canned chipotle pepper minced
  • ▢ 4 cups beef broth
  • ▢ 1 bay leaf
  • ▢ assorted toppings such as onion, shredded cheese, avocado and tortilla chips

Instructions

For the spice mix

  • Place all the spice mix ingredients in a small bowl, then stir to combine.

For the chili

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meat in a single layer and season with salt and pepper to taste. You may need to work in batches.
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the beef is browned.
  • Remove the beef from the pot and cover to keep warm.
  • Place the onions, poblano peppers and jalapeno peppers in the pot. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables have softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Place the spice mixture in the pot. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Add the beef back to the pot along with the tomato sauce, chipotle pepper, beef broth and bay leaf.
  • Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
  • Cook uncovered over low heat for 3 hours, stirring every 20 minutes, until a thick stew forms and the beef is tender.
  • If the chili is too thick before the beef is done, you can add more beef broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time.
  • Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
  • Serve immediately with toppings such as onions, cheese, avocado and tortilla chips.

Notes

  1. Choose a well marbled cut of beef such as stew meat, round roast, or chuck roast for best results.
  2. This dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze the chili for 2 months. Let the frozen chili thaw in the fridge over night, then heat on the stove until warm.
  3. If the chili seems like it’s getting too thick before the meat is tender, you can add more beef broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time.

Nutrition

This Texas chili is chunks of beef that are slow simmered with a variety of spices to make a rich and hearty stew. A no bean chili that's packed with flavor and is always a hit with family and friends. - 11 A bowl of Texas chili topped with cheese and sour cream. - 12

Texas Chili

Ingredients

For the spice mix

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal

For the chili

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 1/2 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into 1 inch pieces
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 3/4 cup poblano peppers core, seeds and ribs removed, then diced
  • 2 jalapenos seeds and ribs removed, then finely diced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 canned chipotle pepper minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • assorted toppings such as onion, shredded cheese, avocado and tortilla chips

Instructions

For the spice mix

  • Place all the spice mix ingredients in a small bowl, then stir to combine.

For the chili

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meat in a single layer and season with salt and pepper to taste. You may need to work in batches.
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the beef is browned.
  • Remove the beef from the pot and cover to keep warm.
  • Place the onions, poblano peppers and jalapeno peppers in the pot. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables have softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Place the spice mixture in the pot. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Add the beef back to the pot along with the tomato sauce, chipotle pepper, beef broth and bay leaf.
  • Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
  • Cook uncovered over low heat for 3 hours, stirring every 20 minutes, until a thick stew forms and the beef is tender.
  • If the chili is too thick before the beef is done, you can add more beef broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time.
  • Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
  • Serve immediately with toppings such as onions, cheese, avocado and tortilla chips.

Video

Notes

  1. Choose a well marbled cut of beef such as stew meat, round roast, or chuck roast for best results.
  2. This dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze the chili for 2 months. Let the frozen chili thaw in the fridge over night, then heat on the stove until warm.
  3. If the chili seems like it’s getting too thick before the meat is tender, you can add more beef broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time.

Nutrition