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Home » Soups and Stews

Texas Chili

Published: Aug 25, 2020 · Last Modified: May 29, 2022 by Anecia

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There's nothing better on a cold night than a big bowl of  Texas Chili! In fact, Chili is The Official State Dish of Texas and the secret ingredient is what makes this The Best Texas Chili Recipe ever!

This made from scratch chili recipe is much better than store brands like Hormel™, Wick Fowler's™, Frank Tolbert's™ or Carroll Shelby's™ Chili Mix.

 Make it as spicy or mild as you like!  

Chili in a white bowl garnished with shredded cheese and cilantro.
Good chili doesn't take long to make; make it as mild or spicy as you like!

I've been making chili for 25 years, experimenting with different ingredients, and this BY FAR is my best version yet! 

Even though this chili recipe has never been to the infamous annual Terlingua Chili Cook-off, it did win 2nd place at Downing Middle School's chili contest.

All joking aside, this is one of my top 10 recipes. I had a woman from California tell me it was her "go-to-chili-recipe" for which I am grateful. 

Make it as mild or spicy as you like and if you have any leftover chili, make Tamale Pie!

Did you know that Chili has been the Official State Dish of Texas since 1977? Yep! Then Governor Dolph Briscoe proclaimed that "a bowl of red" was worthy of this title. 

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe!
  • Here's what you'll need:
  • Here's how to make it:
  • What makes Texas Chili different ?
  • Expert tips:
  • What grade of beef do I use?
  • Beans or no beans?
  • Want it thicker?
  • Want it thinner?
  • Variations and substitutions for Texas chili
  • If you're missing an ingredient look here:
  • Related recipes:
  • 📋 Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe!

Quick and Easy - ready in 40-minutes!

Full of flavor - the secret ingredient makes this chili recipe terrific!

Perfect for leftovers - make burritos, tacos or a taco salad...if you have any leftover!

 

Here's what you'll need:

Labeled ingredients on counter.
Sazon Goya seasoning is The Secret Ingredient to my deliciousTexas Chili

The secret ingredient - Sazon Goya (Coriander and Annatto) is a seasoning usually found in the mexican food section of your grocer. This is what gives this chili recipe its delicious flavor!

Here's how to make it:

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, add a tablespoon of oil, chopped onions and beef. Cook until the beef is brown; drain and return to stockpot.

Next, add tomato sauce, green chiles, enchilada sauce and dry seasonings: cumin, chile powder, paprika, cumin and the secret ingredient--Sazon Goya seasoning.

Two photos showing how to make chili.

Cook on medium heat until all the flavors are well-combined. Taste for salt. Want it hotter? Add more cayenne pepper!

What makes Texas Chili different ?

It is believed that William Gebhardt of San Antonio, Texas first developed the recipe back in 1894. There are many variations of Texas chili, but the original recipe had no beans or tomato products.

The flavor is deep and rich with a hint of heat from the chili powder. That's why it's often called "a bowl of red!"

Expert tips:

What grade of beef do I use?

Ground beef is labeled: 80/20, 70/30 or 90/10. In case you're wondering, 80/20 means the beef has 20% fat and 80% lean meat. A little bit of fat reserve enhances the flavor of the chili.

If you prefer a lean chili, use 90/10 ground beef, ground sirloin or ground turkey. No matter what grade beef you use, you'll still need to drain off the excess oil; DO NOT RINSE IT.

Beans or no beans?

Beans add fiber to the dish and fiber is a good thing. It's really up to you. True Texas Chili does not have beans.

If you elect to add canned pinto, kidney or black beans, be sure to rinse them first. The brine in canned beans impacts the texture and flavor of this recipe.

Want it thicker?

Thicken with a slurry of cornstarch or flour. Note that after you add a thickening slurry, you may need to adjust the seasonings.

How to make a slurry:

In a measuring cup, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, flour or Masa flour with one cup of water. Mix well, then add it to the cooked chili. This slurry will not impact the flavor.

Want it thinner?

If you prefer a thinner version of Texas Chili, just add a little water or beef broth.

Too spicy? 

Chile powder and cayenne add some heat to this dish. If your guest cannot tolerate the spicy heat of homemade Texas Chili, offer them a dollop of sour cream to put in their bowl-the dairy offsets the heat.

Variations and substitutions for Texas chili

Here's some different ways to make this Texas chile recipe!

  • Add Rotel® tomatoes (stewed tomatoes and green chiles); original, hot or fire roasted
  • Chop and saute a green bell pepper with the onion
  • Throw in a few slices of jalapeno
  • Add a can of drained corn
  • Make Frito™ pie by adding in some corn chips and shredded cheddar cheese

I also like to make chili tacos - soft flour tortilla with chili, lettuce and cheese, or top a hot dog with a big dollop!

If you're missing an ingredient look here:

  • No tomato sauce? Use a can of tomato paste and water or beef broth or
  • Add a can of diced tomatoes, or
  • Don't add any tomatoes! Chili without tomatoes is just fine
  • No onion? Use onion powder or minced onion
  • No Sazon Goya? Crumble up some corn tortillas and cook them with the onions and beef

Related recipes:

  • Chili Spaghetti Pie
  • Homemade Guacamole
  • New Mexico Green Chile Chicken Soup
  • Southern Skillet Cornbread
  • Tamale Pie
  • Chili Spaghetti Pie
  • Sweet Corn Tomalito

Chili in white bowl with tortilla chip and shredded cheese.

 

♥ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you!

📋 Recipe

Authentic Texas Chili in white bowl with tortilla chip and shredded cheese

Texas Chili Recipe

Texas Chili recipe with a spin! Delicious, easy and flavorful! Make it as mild or spicy as you like.
5 from 19 votes
Print Text Recipe Rate
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Texas
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Total Yield: 8 cups
Author: Anecia Hero
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 3 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon oil , vegetable or canola
  • 1 cup yellow onion , chopped
  • 10 ounces tomato sauce
  • 7 ounces diced green chiles
  • 28 ounces red enchilada sauce mild or spicy
  • 1 tablespoon ground paprika smoky
  • 3 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 3-6 tablespoons ground chili powder start with 3; add more after chili has rested
  • 1 package Sazon Goya (Coriander and Annatto seasoning)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large Dutch oven, add oil and onions and cook on medium high heat, until onions are tender
    1 tablespoon oil, 1 cup yellow onion
  • Add beef to onions and cook until beef is browned all the way through
    3 lbs. ground beef
  • Drain mixture and put back into Dutch oven
  • Add dry seasonings, tomato sauce, green chiles, enchilada sauce
    10 ounces tomato sauce, 7 ounces diced green chiles, 28 ounces red enchilada sauce, 3 tablespoons ground cumin, 3-6 tablespoons ground chili powder, 1 package Sazon Goya (Coriander and Annatto seasoning), ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon ground paprika
  • Allow to cook on medium heat for at least 10 minutes
  • *Add water if you prefer a thinner consistency
  • Add salt and pepper to taste
    salt and pepper to taste
  • Serve and garnish with cheese, sour cream, avocado

Notes

  • If you prefer a hotter version of Texas Chili, add more chili powder and/or cayenne pepper
  • If the chili is too spicy for you, add a dollop of sour cream on top, or cheese
  • If you prefer a thinner consistency, add water or beef broth
  • Use leftover chili to make Chili Spaghetti Pie

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 33gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1313mgPotassium: 755mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2248IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 7mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheila Thigpen says

    October 23, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    I've been looking for a good TEXAS chili recipe and now I've found it — yippee!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      October 24, 2021 at 8:21 pm

      Thank you, Sheila!
      I appreciate you taking time to reply with such kind words:)
      Share the recipe (and secret ingredient) with your friends:)

      Reply
  2. Sandra says

    February 11, 2021 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    Made it again last night! My favorite chili of all!!!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      February 11, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      Thank you, Sandra!!! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Sandra says

    August 26, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    Best chili ever!!!!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      August 30, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you, Sandra! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. JimH Florida says

    August 12, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    Great chili and easy to make. I simmered on low about 1-1/2 hours and added lots of salt and some pepper. Only used 3 tbsp chili powder. Probably a little more next time. Mild sauce too. Easy to step up heat at the table. Served with fresh diced onions and cheddar. Excellent!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      August 13, 2020 at 8:08 am

      I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for taking time to let me know!

      Reply
  5. Linda Mangold says

    December 29, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    I’m a Native Texan transplanted to California and have to make my own chili because no one understands good chili here! This is an awesome and easy way to make it and I will be using this recipe from now on! Thank you! I didn’t change a thing and it was perfect.

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      December 29, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      Oh My Stars, Linda! You just made my day!!! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! Would you mind rating the recipe if you haven't already? Bless You!

      Reply

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Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

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