How To Feed A Loon

  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Asian
    • Breads and Doughs
    • Cajun / Creole / Louisiana
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Comfort Food
    • Delectable Desserts
    • Entrees / Mains
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Pizza
    • Rubs, Spices and Sauces
    • Soups & Salads
    • Sides
    • Seafood
    • Southern
    • Mexican / Tex-Mex / Cal-Mex
    • Thanksgiving
    • Vegetarian
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Web Stories
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • **Premium Access**
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 4th of July
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • 4th of July
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
×
Home » Recipe Index » Comfort Food

Texas Chili

Published: Feb 1, 2022 · Modified: Mar 11, 2025 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

211 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Bluesky
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
A wooden spoon holding up a spoonful of authentic Texas chili.
A large blue bowl filled with Texas chili topped with cheese, onions, and jalapenos next to a glass of beer and a jar of pickles.
A spoon lifting a helping of Texas-style chili from a bowl of the chili with cheese dripping off the sides.

Ladies and gents, hold onto your bootstraps, this chili is one for the record books.

We’re thrilled to bring you our version of Texas Chili. No beans or whole tomatoes in sight, but unbelievable taste and texture, to boot. Give yourself a few hours, and you’ll have the best chili this side of the Rio Grande and beyond!

A large blue bowl filled with Texas chili topped with cheese, onions, and jalapenos next to a glass of beer and a jar of pickles.

How To Make Texas Chili

If you’re looking to make authentic Texas-style chili, you’ve come to the right place.

We love starting off with 2 to 3 lbs of cubed ribeye steak.

Building the flavor profile as you go is key to a deep, satisfying chili taste.

NOTE: If you liked this video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Remember to click the little ‘bell’ icon so you’ll never miss a new video!

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef

Lots of folks use beef ground chuck, which is wonderful, of course.

But we love good bite-sized chunks of super tender meat that you get with every bite.

Our favorite is boneless ribeye, but you could also go with a sirloin, strip steak, or beef tenderloin.

Two large boneless ribeye steaks on a cutting board next to a wooden bowl of spices.

A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is all that’s needed for the beef.

Browning the meat in a little olive oil locks in the flavor.

The meat will render some fat, so we drain the meat with a colander before returning it to the hot skillet.

A large blue Dutch oven filled with cooked ribeye piece of beef for Texas Chili.

The Best Seasonings for Texas-Style Chili

  • Top-notch chili powder
  • Garlic and onion powders
  • Cayenne and black peppers
  • Smoked paprika
  • Dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
  • Salt

After you’ve combined all the seasoning ingredients, we recommend dividing the mixture into thirds.

You’ll add tomato sauce, chicken, and beef stocks to the pot with the cooked beef and bring it to a nice simmer.

EXPERT TIP: Adding the seasoning mixture in equal portions over the course of an hour and a half, deepens the flavor and ensures all spices dissolve perfectly, and helps to thicken the chili.

A hand dumping a square container of chili seasoning into a pot of meat and sauce.

Building the Classic Flavor

After an hour and a half of simmering, all of the seasoning mixtures should have been added.

As the Texas chili simmers, it will reduce down and thicken to the perfect consistency, not thick like gravy, but definitely not runny either.

EXPERT TIP: For the final flavor boost, we add brown sugar, ground cumin, and a few dashes of our favorite hot sauce. These are best when added right at the end of cooking, otherwise, their flavor profile can become too dominant in the chili.

A wooden spoon holding up a spoonful of authentic Texas chili.

Authentic and Comforting

Folks, a bowl of our classic Texas Chili is about as comforting as they come.

You might also enjoy our white bean chili, turkey chili, or vegetarian chili, too. But we must admit, this Texas chili, sometimes called Texas Red, is our all-time favorite.

This could easily be doubled (or tripled) to feed a crowd.

An overhead view of a large bowl of chili topped with shredded cheddar, onions, and jalapenos.

Quality chili powder is important. You can find the very best in Fort Worth, Texas at Penderys…or easily peruse the endless selections of spice, chili powders, and more at www.Penderys.com.

Be sure to provide all the classic garnishes when serving Texas-style chili. Chopped onion, shredded cheddar (or Monterrey jack), and sliced jalapenos are a must. Sour cream and even cooked rice are popular additions, too.

If you’re looking for the perfect bowl of chili to serve, you’ve arrived!

A spoon lifting a helping of Texas-style chili from a bowl of the chili with cheese dripping off the sides.

Ready to make this best chili in town, or heck, in the world? Go for it! Yee-haw!

And don’t forget, when you make it, be sure to take a picture of it and post it on Instagram, and tag @HowtTofFeedaLoon and #HowToFeedaLoon!

A large blue bowl filled with Texas chili topped with cheese, onions, and jalapenos next to a glass of beer and a jar of pickles.

Texas Chili

This recipe is classic Texas-style chili. Bold. No beans. Bite-size chunks of steak. And slow-cooked. Incredible.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Chili
Cuisine: Southern, U.S.
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 612kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot,such as a Dutch oven

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1½ teaspoon salt more, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 lbs boneless beef steak such as ribeye or sirloin, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 lbs ground beef 85% lean
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar light or dark
  • 2 tablespoon cumin ground
  • ½ cup tomato paste plus extra, if needed
  • Hot Sauce for garnish, such as Frank's or Tobasco
  • onion chopped, for garnish
  • cheddar cheese shredded, for garnish
  • jalapeno fresh or pickled, for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine the first 9 ingredients in a bowl; divide into thirds.
  • Heat oil in a large pot (Dutch oven works well) over medium heat.
  • Season meat with salt and pepper all over.
  • Cook meat in hot oil until browned all over. Drain. Add meat back to the pot.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess grease. Add to the pot with the cooked meat.
  • Add tomato sauce, chicken stock, and beef stock.
  • Bring to a simmer and then add ⅓ of the chili powder mixture, after 30 minutes, add the next ⅓ of the chili powder mixture, and then after another 30 minutes, add the last ⅓ of the chili powder mixture and let simmer for another 30 minutes. (This will be approx. 1 ½ hours total).
  • Add in the brown sugar, ground cumin, and tomato paste and simmer for another 20 to 30 minutes, until desired thickness. If the chili still is thinner than you prefer, add more tomato paste.
  • Serve at once with garnishes on the side.

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
We love using nice cuts of boneless ribeye steaks.  But you can also use sirloin, strip steak, or beef tenderloin.  A combination of these works well, too.  1 or 2 lbs of cooked ground sirloin will stretch the chili, too, if desired (we add this in often).  We sometimes don't include the cooked ground beef, and sometimes we do. It definitely stretches the chili and provides even more beef flavor. In the video, we didn't include the cooked ground beef, but we usually do.  
Dividing the chili powder mixture into thirds before adding it to the chili makes this process easy. Simply combine all the seasoning ingredients (except the brown sugar and cumin) in a larger bowl.  And then just eyeball dividing into third into 3 smaller bowls.  
The consistency of the chili will seem thin at first.  But, over the course of the couple hours of cooking the chili will thicken and reduce down.
This can also be made in a slow cooker.  Brown the meat first, then add all remaining ingredients (except the brown sugar, cumin, and hot sauce) and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (low on 4 to 5).  Stir in the brown sugar, cumin, and hot sauce in the final 30 minutes.
Common garnishes are chopped onion, shredded cheddar, fresh or pickled sliced jalapenos, dill and/or sweet pickles, sour creams, crackers, cornbread, and cooked rice. 
The chili will keep in the fridge (and even deepen in flavors) for up to 4 days.  The chili freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 828mg | Potassium: 1273mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3708IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 8mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

More Comfort Food

  • A person holding a best-ever cheeseburger consisting of a juicy beef burger topped with melting cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles all sandwiched between a toasted homemade hamburger bun.
    Best-Ever Cheeseburger
  • A white dinner plate filled with a serving of cube steak with mushroom gravy resting on a bed of mashed potatoes with braised green beans off to the side.
    Cube Steak with Mushroom Gravy
  • A white bowl filled with shrimp lo mein with cashews garnished with chopped scallions on top and two brown chopsticks resting side by side on the edge of the bowl.
    Shrimp Lo Mein with Cashews
  • A pork burger topped with creamy coleslaw on a homemade pretzel bun with Carolina mustard sauce oozing from the underneath the patty with kettle chips scattered around the burger.
    Pork Burgers with Pretzel Buns

Comments

  1. Kevin Carson says

    June 27, 2025 at 10:09 pm

    5 stars
    Chili with chunks of ribeye sounds amazing

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 28, 2025 at 9:59 am

      It’s so good, Kevin! And your walnut chili sounds awesome, too! Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
  2. Shan says

    December 29, 2024 at 6:36 pm

    I love this chili. If I cut the recipe in half should that affect the cooking time? Thank you

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 31, 2024 at 3:46 pm

      Hi Shan! If you cut the recipe in half, you could probably shave about 30 minutes off of the cook time. Let us know how it turns out, and Happy New Year!!

      Reply
  3. Teresa says

    October 20, 2024 at 10:42 pm

    Hello, I’m going to make this Chili on Nov 10th Dallas vs Eagles! We are divided in this household, lol.. it makes its so much fun! Anyway, which chili powder do y’all buy at penderys? And.., I browsed HEB and they have 2 different kinds of adobe seasoning. Do y’all have a favorite?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      October 23, 2024 at 12:18 pm

      Woo hoo!! We understand about a divided household! That was especially true when we lived up in NJ just about an hour out of Philly! We are Cowboys fans but so many of our close friends were Eagles fans! Good food always brought us together! We use the Penderey’s Original. It is deep in flavor, but not overly spicy. You can’t really go wrong with choosing an Adobo seasoning. If it’s at H-E-B, it’s gonna be good. Let us know how the chili tastes. It’s one of those that every time we make it, we tweak as we go. Taste and adjust, if you want. It’s sooooo good!!! Let us know how it all turns out! And have FUN!!!! Here’s the link to the chili powder:

      Reply
  4. Carly says

    November 28, 2023 at 12:08 pm

    Hey there! Love this but also love chunks of tomato in my chili? Any tips for adding some of those perhaps instead of one of the cans of tomato sauce?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      November 28, 2023 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Carly! Sure! Substitute a can of diced tomatoes, or stewed tomatoes, in place of one of the cans of tomato sauce. We love tomatoes, too (but don’t tell any of our Texan neighbors, though! LOL!!). We hope you make the chili and enjoy it! We make it every Christmas eve and family and friends devour it! Keep us posted! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  5. Donna says

    September 18, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    Does this have ground beef and ribeye? I watched the video twice and didn’t see when you added the ground beef.

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    September 18, 2023 at 4:57 pm

    Does this have ground beef and ribeye? I watched the video twice and didn’t see when you added the ground beef. Is it either or for the steak and g. beef?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      September 18, 2023 at 6:44 pm

      Hi Donna! So sorry for the confusion! We usually do add the cooked ground beef, but not always. It does make the chili go further and it adds even more beef flavor. Just add it back into the pot with the seared ribeye and then add the liquids. Again, sorry for the confusion. Let us know if you make chili and how it turns out! We LOVE it!!

      Reply
  7. Kristy says

    February 26, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    Hi Guys. Love your recipes.
    Is there any chance you could give me the recipe for the pastry in the Steak and Guiness pie in uk measurements? Could you please put a Uk measurements on your recipes please?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      February 27, 2023 at 1:28 pm

      Hi Kristy! If you go to the recipe now, and look under instructions, you should see two links, one for US and one for Metric. Does this help? We’ll try and get this set up for all existing recipes and new ones yet to publish. Let us know if this helps!

      Reply
  8. Mark Lawton says

    February 04, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    Made this the other night and absolutely loved it. (Just enjoyed the leftovers for lunch!). Went with 2 1/2 pounds of ribeye. Really nice flavor profile, just enough heat without it being overwhelming. I may have simmered it a bit too long as the sauce was a bit dense (yours looks to be more “liquidy”) but it was delicious nonetheless and even more so two days later for lunch! Thanks for yet another winning recipe!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      February 07, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      Hi Mark! So for the late response! Woo hoo!! So so glad you enjoyed the chili! Sometimes it can get a little thick in the final simmering. If that happens, you can thin it a bit with a little more beef or chicken broth, or even water. But, so so glad you enjoyed it and as always, we appreciate so very much you letting us know and for the great review!! Keep us posted on more dishes!! And keep your eyes peeled for more on the way!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  9. Cookwitch says

    February 01, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    The best chili I ever made was with brisket offcuts. Hooboy that was good. Yours looks pretty amazing!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      February 01, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      Yum Yum Yum!!!! Sounds heavenly to us!!!!

      Reply
5 from 2 votes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!

Kris & Wesley (The Loon) live for fun, food, and fabulousness. "How to Feed a Loon" is a celebration of just that. Come join us on this joyous culinary ride.

More about us

4th of July

  • Grilled BBQ Chicken with visible grill marks resting on a metal sheet pan with a small white bowl of homemade BBQ sauce with a spoon in it nearby.
    Best-Ever Grilled BBQ Chicken
  • An overhead view of two pieces of Nashville hot chicken resting on slices of white bread with dill pickle slices scattered around all in a paper-lined basket.
    Nashville Hot Chicken
  • An overhead straight-down view of a small white bowl filled with fresh mango salsa with tortilla chips and limes wedges surrounding it.
    Homemade Mango Salsa
  • A close-up view of a slice of cheese-stuffed smoked meatloaf resting on a pile of mashed potatoes on a black plate.
    Cheese-Stuffed Smoked Meatloaf
  • An overhead view of a grilled chicken salad salad that consists of rows of grilled pesto chicken, asparagus, mushrooms, and salads of cucumbers, tomatoes, and chickpeas.
    Grilled Chicken Salad with Vegetables
  • A straight-on view of grilled vegetables with Italian dressing all resting on a large bamboo oval platter.
    Grilled Vegetables with Italian Dressing

Popular Recipes

  • best-ever chicken salad recipe
    Best-Ever Chicken Salad
  • A white soup filled with roasted tomato basil soup next to sliced grilled cheese sandwiches.
    Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
  • Mahi Mahi tacos on a wooden table in a taco holder
    Amazing Mahi Mahi Tacos
  • A lemon wedge being squeezed onto a platter of chicken francese
    Chicken Francese
  • Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe
    Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
  • Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder on a platter with a side of gravy
    Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 How to Feed a Loon • This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, we may receive a commission in return. How To Feed a Loon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

211 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.