The Best Texas Chili - Authentic Recipe from a Born and Raised Texan (2024)

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Chili is one of America’s best comfort foods, but there is only ONE chili that really counts and that is Texas Chili. In fact, Texas Chili is the official dish of Texas! Can I get a yeehaw?

Like Texas barbecue, everyone has their claim on the best Texas Chili. Some spend years perfecting their Texas Chili for the ultimate chili cook-off. With that said, some chilis stay authentic, while others veer off ever so slightly. However, one thing is for certain – “if you knowbeansaboutchili, you knowchiliain’t got nobeans.”

Texas Chili is perfect during the fall and winter seasons, but no one will fault you if you enjoy it during hot summer Texas days too. Serve it with warm cornbread, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños – and you will have yourself the perfect Texas comfort dish.

I like to stay true to the traditional ways, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeves. So please enjoy my authentic Texas Chili recipe.

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What is a Texas Chili?

There are several types of chilis in the United States, but as you may have gathered, the only chili that matters is Texas Chili. Chili is not only the state dish of Texas but it also originated in Texas in the 1860s. Texas Chili was first introduced to America in San Antonio by the “Chili Queens,” women who served food in San Antonio’s Military Plaza. What they served was called, “chili con carne”.

Over the years, we shortened chili con carne to just “chili”. Moreover, the true translation of chili con carne is “chili with meat”, which is why the main ingredients are meat and chilies.

In Texas, chili is also known as a “Bowlo’Red” and as I said before, “if you knowbeansaboutchili, you knowchiliain’t got nobeans.” Needless to say, there should NEVER be beans in an authentic bowl of Texas Chili.

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Additionally, an authentic Texas Chili should never have tomatoes. The intense flavors come from the dried chilies which are turned into a homemade chili paste.

The other main ingredient is beef and traditionally, it should be chunks of beef chuck – not ground. However, if you do want to stray slightly from the authenticity of a “Bowl o’ Red”, ground chuck beef would suffice.

Just remember, no beans or tomatoes!

Chili at the State Fair of Texas

Chili is typically a dish that is enjoyed in the comfort of your home and is made with recipes passed down through the family. This is why some of the best Texas Chili is from home cooks, not chefs. Moreover, the best chilis are always found at Chili Cook-Offs.

Chili cook-offs are a lot of fun to attend. You can find a chili cook-off throughout the Lone Star State, but the best one to attend is at the State Fair of Texas. Every year onthe weekend before Opening Day of the State Fair of Texas, there is a chili cook-off. There are two categories, fun for all with no rules and the more official competition to qualify for the Terlingua’s International Chili Championship.

I know everyone visit’s the State Fair of Texas to try all the fried food and crazy culinary creations, but you still need to enjoy a BIG “Bowl o’ Red” at the State Fair of Texas. So if you miss the State Fair of Texas’ Chili Cook-Off, don’t worry, you can still enjoy the Texas State dish at the Chili Parlor.

This is where I remember one of my favorite bowls of Texas Chili. One day, I will make sure Adam gets his taste because a bowl of Texas Chili at the State Fair of Texas is almost like a rite of passage!

List of Ingredients in Texas Chili

My list of ingredients for Texas Chili stays true to its authenticity while also adding some Texas beer and “Mexican chocolate” – incorporating cocoa powder and ground cinnamon.

The thickness of the chili comes from the masa flour. It acts as a thickening agent and is an important ingredient that is traditionally in a “Bowl o’ Red”.

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  • Dried ancho chili peppers
  • Dried guajillo Chile peppers
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Ground cumin
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Masa flour
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Cocoa powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Beef chuck roast
  • Onion
  • Jalapeño
  • Shiner Black Lager or Shiner Bock
  • Beef Stock
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Brown sugar

How to Make Texas Chili

A good chili boils down (no pun intended) to being patient by cooking with a slow simmer, making a homemade chili paste, and flavorful spices.

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Homemade Chili Paste

The first step begins with preparing a homemade chili paste. Cut the stems off the dried chilies and remove all of the seeds.

Bring one cup of beef stock to a low boil and add it into a blender. Place the dried chilies into the blender, cover with the lid, and let them soak in the beef stock for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, puree the chilies and beef stock together to create a chili paste. Set aside.


Dry Ingredient Mix

In a bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, masa flour, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.


Cooking the Texas Chili

Cut the beef chuck roast into 1/2 inch thick cubes. Then dice the onion and jalapeños.

Heat the olive oil in a medium cast-iron Dutch oven, then brown the beef chuck cubes on all sides. If there is not enough room in the Dutch oven, brown the beef chuck cubes in batches.

Remove the browned beef chuck and set aside. Do not remove the brown buts or liquid from the Dutch oven – this has all the flavor.

Using the remaining liquid in the saucepan, sauté the onions till translucent. Then add the diced jalapeños.

Deglaze the Dutch oven by adding the Shiner beer, beef stock, and apple cider vinegar. Using a spatula, scrape the bottom of the pan to get all the bits of flavor incorporated.

Add the beef chuck back into the Dutch oven along with the homemade chili paste, dry ingredient mix, and brown sugar. Mix all of the ingredients together and bring to a boil.

Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat, slightly cover the Dutch oven, and simmer for 2 – 2.5 hours or until the beef chuck is tender. Make sure you stir the chili occasionally.

Serve the Texas Chili with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeños, and a side of cornbread.

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Tips & Tricks

How to work with peppers is my biggest and only tip for this recipe, but it’s a VERY important one.


Working with Peppers

When working the dried chilies, it is important to wear gloves. Otherwise, when you wipe your eyes or even put contact lenses in, you will BURN your eyes! If you do not have gloves, you can still minimize the burn by avoiding the cut surfaces of the pepper (the pepper skin is relatively tame) or try using a paper towel to hold the pepper.

More Texas Recipes

  • Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork
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The Best Authentic Texas Chili Recipe

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

An authentic Texas Chili with a homemade chili paste, chunks of beef chuck, a mix of dry spices, chocolate, and Texas beer for the ultimate "Bowl o' Red".

Ingredients

  • 2 dried Ancho chilies
  • 2 dried Guajillo chilies
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons masa flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon salt, plus more for seasoning if needed
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper,plus more for seasoning if needed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2 in. cubes
  • 1 medium white onion
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 3 cups beef stock (divided 1 cup and 2 cups)
  • 1 bottle (12 fl oz) Shiner Black Lager or Shiner Bock
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Cut the stems off the dried chilies and remove all of the seeds. Place them in a blender with 1 cup of warm beef stock. Cover the blender and let them soak in the beef stock for 30 minutes.
  2. While the dried chilies are soaking, cut the beef chuck roast into 1/2 inch cubes and dice the white onion and jalapeños.
  3. In a bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, masa flour, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  4. After 30 minutes, puree the chilies and beef stock together to create a homemade chili paste. Set aside.
  5. Heat olive oil in a medium cast-iron Dutch oven. Brown the beef chuck cubes on all sides. If there is not enough room in the Dutch oven, brown the beef chuck cubes in batches. Do not remove the brown buts or liquid from the Dutch oven - this has all the flavor and will be used for the Texas Chili. Remove the browned beef chuck and set aside.
  6. Using the remaining liquid in the saucepan, sauté the onions till translucent. Then add the diced jalapeños.
  7. Deglaze the Dutch oven by adding the Shiner beer, remaining 2 cups of beef stock, and apple cider vinegar. Then scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to get all the bits of flavor incorporated.
  8. Add the beef chuck back into the Dutch oven along with the homemade chili paste, dry ingredient mix, and brown sugar. Mix all of the ingredients together and bring to a boil.
  9. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat, slightly cover the Dutch oven, and simmer for 2 - 2.5 hours or until the beef chuck is tender. Make sure you stir the Texas Chili occasionally.
  10. Once the beef chuck is tender, serve the Texas Chili with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeños, and a side of cornbread.

Notes

When working the dried chilies, it is important to wear gloves. If you do not have gloves, you can still minimize the burn by avoiding the cut surfaces of the pepper or try using a paper towel to hold the pepper.

If you prefer, you can substitute the beef chuck for ground chuck.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, when you click on the link you will have the option to purchase a product at no extra cost to you, but I would receive a small commission. I want to thank everyone for following and supporting us on all of “Our Sweet Adventures” and for cooking with my recipes on "Christina's Culinary Creations".

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The Best Texas Chili - Authentic Recipe from a Born and Raised Texan (2024)

FAQs

What is real Texas chili made of? ›

This Texas classic doesn't include beans or tomatoes, only beef, homemade chile paste, and a few flavorings.

What is the difference between Texas chili and regular chili? ›

What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.

Is Texas Roadhouse chili made from scratch? ›

Is Texas Roadhouse Chili made from Scratch? Yes, this chili recipe that Texas Roadhouse is made from scratch daily. It is served on their starter menu but I have eaten as my main meal. This thick and juicy chili is topped with cheddar cheese and green onions.

What is another name for Texas chili? ›

Chili Con Carne, a.k.a. Texas Red

The chili that was invented in San Antonio is said to be a bowl of "red": tender, individual stewed chunks of beef swaddled in a spicy, cumin-spiked sauce made from red chiles, which lend the dish an appealing russet hue.

What is the difference between Texas chili and Colorado chili? ›

And while Texas chili is usually all beef, people often cook their chile colorado with pork instead.

Does authentic chili have beans? ›

As purists would have it, traditional red (chili con carne) hasn't changed much over the years. It still consists of meat, red chili peppers, and spices—no beans, rice, pasta, or other fillers, aside from vegetables, according to ICS criteria.

Should Texas chili have beans? ›

An authentic Texas Chili, or chili con carne, will not have beans. Simple answer. When this recipe/dish originated, there were no beans, no onion, no tomato added. There was a concern that it would resemble a stew and not a chili.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What is the best cut of meat for chili? ›

Beef Brisket

The best bet here again is to look for a very well-marbled cut of brisket and cook it low and slow so that you can deliciously shred it apart with a fork or spoon in a few hours.

What is Texas Roadhouse roadkill made of? ›

Chop steak smothered with sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms and jack cheese. Served with your choice of two sides.

Who invented Texas chili? ›

Unlike some other Texas foods, such as barbecued brisket, chili largely originated with working-class Tejana and Mexican women. The "chili queens" of San Antonio, Texas were particularly famous in previous decades for selling their inexpensive chili-flavored beef stew in their casual "chili joints".

What does Wendy's make their chili from? ›

Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...

Did Texans invent chili? ›

Food historians speculate that chili originated in Texas-Mexico border towns and spread north. In the 1880s San Antonio's downtown was famous for Hispanic outdoor vendors called "chili queens." At Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Texas-style chili was popular, and at St.

Do Texans put beans in chili? ›

But in Texas, beans have no place in a pot of chili. The classic Lone Star State chili, popularly known as “Texas Red,” includes a small and carefully curated selection of ingredients, and its bean-free simplicity is a point of pride for generations of Texans.

How do Texans eat chili? ›

“The official dish of the State of Texas: a bowl of red has no beans. Whatever you want to go with it—tortillas, cornbread, crackers. Enjoy!” “Beans are a necessity and my nephew likes peanut butter on bread to eat with his chili.”

What does Texas chili not have? ›

An authentic Texas Chili, or chili con carne, will not have beans. Simple answer. When this recipe/dish originated, there were no beans, no onion, no tomato added. There was a concern that it would resemble a stew and not a chili.

Why is it called Texas chili? ›

In 1977, chili manufacturers and members of the Chili Appreciation Society International successfully lobbied the Texas state legislature to have chili proclaimed the official "state dish" of Texas “; in recognition of the fact that "the only real 'bowl of red' is that prepared by Texans.” Chili became the official ...

Does Wendy's use real beef in their chili? ›

The Wendy's Chili recipe ingredients are simple at their core, but at Wendy's it's all about blending our signature beef with the perfect mix of hearty vegetables, chili beans and savory spices. The result is a taste that's both satisfying and sentimental, and it's the perfect comfort food anytime of the year.

What chili peppers are native to Texas? ›

Texas has not one but two official pepper designations: Jalapeño is the state pepper, while chiltepín is the state native pepper. Besides both being designated state peppers, the resemblance between the two is small.

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