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Simple Award Winning Texas Chili Recipe

An award winning Texas-style chili made with tender beef chuck, bold chili spices, and no beans. This authentic Lone Star chili delivers deep, smoky heat and rich flavor perfect for cook-offs, game days, and hearty family meals.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 –10 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Texan
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 7.5 lb beef chuck cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup ghee or rendered beef fat
  • 8 medium onions diced
  • 10 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tbsp ancho chili powder
  • 2 tbsp paprika smoked preferred
  • 4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 8 tbsp dried Mexican oregano
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 5 cups water

Method
 

  1. Cut beef into uniform cubes. Dice onions and mince garlic. Mix all dry spices together.
  2. Heat half the ghee in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches and set aside.
  3. Add remaining ghee and sauté onions until deeply caramelized.
  4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook until darkened and caramelized.
  6. Add spice mixture and toast briefly.
  7. Return beef to the pot, add hot sauce and water, and bring to a simmer.
  8. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  9. Cover partially and simmer on low for 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  10. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.

Notes

Traditional Texas chili contains no beans. Flavor improves after resting and tastes even better the next day.