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I Love this Texas Chili.

January 6, 2025 by Becky Spoon

Texas ChiliJump to Recipe

Let’s make some Texas chili that we grew up with but with real dried chile that originated from Mexico! Although I could never duplicate the amazing flavors of Mexico, using some of their techniques like dried chiles just shows us how the spices should be prepared and taste.

Texas Chili
Texas Chili

This recipe for my Texas Chili is exactly what we all need these next few days with the frigid temperatures that we have coming our way. Plus, this recipe is with dried chiles from Mexico that you can find from your local grocery store. If you haven’t cooked with dried chiles but don’t understand how; this recipe will teach you so that you can start taking advantage of these beautiful ingredients of Mexico.

By the way, you don’t have to serve this with Fritos like I did. Just loved how beautiful it all came together for a delicious dish.

These are some of my favorite toppings for this Texas Chili.

  • Avocado
  • Cotjia cheese or cheddar cheese
  • Cilantro
  • Green onion
  • Red onion
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped Jalapeno
  • Crushed tortilla chips or crumbled cornbread or Fritos if you’re classy! Frito Pie for the win!
  • Did I miss anything?
  • Ketchup? I don’t know but a lot of folks love it.

What do you need to make this so good Texas chili!

  • 1/3 cup beef tallow, lard, bacon fat of vegetable (if you must) I used lard.
  • 3 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
  • 3 dried pasilla chiles, stems and seeds removed
  • 2 cups very hot water (I brought it to a boil on the stovetop)
  • 1 tbsp salt, divided use
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper, divided use
  • 4 lbs beef, either chili-grind beef or beef chuck roast cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 cup stock (beef or chicken) or water (I actually just used water)
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 15 oz can unsalted crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika (I used a sweet smoked paprika)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tsps dried mexican oregano
  • 1-3 tsps cayenne (optional)
  • 1/2 cup masa harina

Sometimes I make chili with spices, but this chili starts with dried chiles which I really like. There’s just something about using actual dried Chile that adds warmth and depth to the dish! If you aren’t familiar with these chiles, here’s a photo and a bundle on Amazon only if you can’t find chiles in your local grocery stores.

https://amzn.to/4gY99oh

Although I didn’t use Guajillo in this recipe, they are the sister (in my lowly opinion, they are similar) to the New Mexico Hatch Red Chile, just milder….not as bitter. I really like the Guajillo chile. So buy the bundle. I’ll show you how to use them.

Below is my Brisket Chili. I have so many mixed emotions about these recipes. The base that’s develped from the dried chile or the base that was develped from the cut of beef which happened to be brisket. Of Course.

Texas Brisket Chili
Texas Brisket Chili

That’s a later story but in the meantime, here’s the recipe. amazing texas smoked brisket beans.

But, All Hale to the Texas Chili that taste like what I grew up with made by my father who was a master cook in my mind. My Mom was a master cook also made a beautifully planned out Southern meal daily in the 1950’s.

Here you go! Let me know what you think.

Texas Chili

Instant Pot Texas Chili

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course dinner, Lunch, texmex
Cuisine American, Texmex

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or other Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup beef tallow, lard, bacon fat of vegetable (if you must) I used lard.
  • 3 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
  • 3 dried pasilla chiles, stems and seeds removed
  • 2 cups very hot water (I brought it to a boil on the stovetop)
  • 1 tbsp salt, divided use
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper, divided use
  • 4 lbs beef, either chili-grind beef or beef chuck roast cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 cup stock (beef or chicken) or water (I actually just used water)
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 15 oz can unsalted crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika (I used a sweet smoked paprika)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tsps dried mexican oregano
  • 1-3 tsps cayenne (optional)
  • 1/2 cup masa harina

Instructions
 

  • Melt the tallow or lard in a large pan over medium-high heat either in the Instant Pot or in a separate skillet. Briefly fry the chiles until fragrant, about 10 seconds on each side. Remove the chiles to a blender or food processor (leaving the seasoned fat in the pan), cover with the very hot water, and let steep while you sear the meat. (Use a spoon or tongs to push the chiles down into the hot water if they’re not completely submerged.)
  • Season the beef with two teaspoons each salt and pepper. Sear the meat in the leftover chile oil over medium-high heat until well-browned, about 6 minutes total. (You may have to work in batches, depending on the size of your pan.) When all of the meat is browned, add it to the Instant Pot if you used a separate skillet up to this point.
  • Add the stock or water to the pan and use a metal spatula or a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits off the pan. Add this liquid to the Instant Pot.
  • Add the garlic and onion to the blender and blend until nearly smooth. I wanted to strain the chile becasue sometimes there's skin left so I placed a strainer over the Instant Pot and poured the chili paste into the strainer and pressed with a back of a spoon, scraping the bottom of the strainer occasionally until there's nothing left in the strainer but the skin residue. Discard the residue.
  • Add the crushed tomato, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, paprika, cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne (if using) to the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and run the high pressure setting for 40 minutes. Manually release the pressure.
  • Carefully open the Instant Pot and scoop out about a cup of the chili’s liquid into a heat-safe bowl. Whisk in the masa harina and add this mixture back into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine; the chili should thicken slightly.
  • Serve with whatever chili accompaniments you like best. I listed several we like in the body of this post!
Keyword chili, chili grind beef, chuck roast, dried chile, no beans chili, Texas, Texas Chili, texmex
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Filed Under: Soups/Stews/Gumbo//Chili Tagged With: ancho chile, chile, chili, pasilla chile, texas chili, texmex

No Beans! Essential Texas Brisket Chili

November 12, 2021 by Becky Spoon

Texas Brisket ChiliJump to Recipe
Texas Brisket Chili
This Texas Brisket Chili has "No Beans".  That is because we don't eat beans in our chili in Texas.  Truth. We do like lots of toppings like cheese, onions, jalapenos, sometimes sour cream and even guacamole.   So good!
Texas Brisket Chili

This Texas Brisket Chili has “No Beans”. That is because we don’t eat beans in our chili in Texas. Truth. We do like lots of toppings like cheese, onions, jalapenos, sometimes sour cream and even guacamole. So good!

There are so many dishes we make with our chili. Enchiladas, Chili Cheeseburgers, just a bowl of chili, nachos, chili cheese fries and a topping for a brisket sandwich, you know, brisket on brisket! Oh, yum!

Texas Brisket Chili
Texas Brisket Chili

No Beans! Essential Texas Brisket Chili

My go to meat for chili in the past was “chili meat” which is a large ground beef…I guess like hamburger, but ground large. I still use that, but a while back I started making my Texas Brisket chili with the flat of a whole brisket and it is so good. The flavor of the brisket itself, along with the fat that adds additional flavor combined renders an amazing chili. The flat is the lean end of the brisket, unlike the point, so you’re not having all that fat, just enough to add so much flavor!

Texas Brisket Chili
Texas Brisket Chili

Chili requires either whole dried chilies or a chili powder. I like to use a mild to medium New Mexico Red Chile powder I always have on hand. The last time I purchased was on line from “Made in Mexico”. Here’s a link if you are interested: http://www.madeinnewmexico.com/. I buy mild and medium because they both usually have a little kick. I do have some hot right now, but it is really hot.

Texas Brisket Chili
Texas Brisket Chili

Before I give you this Texas Brisket Chili, here’s a link for a burger I made with this leftover chili!

Crazy Leftover Texas brisket Chili and Beef Queso Dip Burger

No Beans! Essential Texas Brisket Chili

Here’s the recipe! Hope you make this! It is so good!!

Texas Brisket Chili

No Beans! Essential Texas Brisket Chili

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Appetizer, dinner, Lunch, Main Course, mexican
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices thick cut bacon
  • 3-4 lb the flat of a beef brisket, trimmed and cubed into 1/4 inch pieces
  • salt, pepper and onion powder for liberally sprinkling on the meat while browning
  • 2 cups white onion, small diced
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 3 1/2-4 tbsp Chili powder ( I use New Mexico red chili powder, if not use a good Texas chili powder)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 quart beef broth (not heavily salted, or your chili will be too salty. If you use beef bullion cubes, omit the salt in the first step of sprinkling the meat while browning)
  • 1/2 cup strong black coffee
  • 28 oz can whole tomatoes, in juice
  • Garnish with your choice of shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, jalapenos, sour cream, Fritos, avocado, etc.

Instructions
 

  • For the brisket, clean and trim the brisket. You will only need 3-4 lbs. Cube the brisket into small ¼” cubes.
  • In a large stock pot, cook 4 pieces of bacon until crispy. Remove from pan and set aside until later.
  • Increase the heat to medium high. In the bacon fat, brown the brisket cubes in 3 batches making sure not to crowd the pan. You want to develop as much browning on the cubes as possible and browning in 3 batches will insure that moisture coming from the meat won’t crowd the pan and prohibit the browning process.
  • Season liberally with salt, pepper, and onion powder while browning to season the meat.
  • Remove the previous batch to a bowl before starting on the next batch. You can add additional cooking oil if you need to. Cook all 3 batches and reserve.
  • In the same pot, add the diced white onion and stir in a pinch of salt. Cook down, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the brown bits and brown the onion. Reduce the heat if necessary to cook the onion down and slightly caramelize it.
  • Add in all of the spices and stir into the onions. Cook 2 minutes.
  • Add the pressed garlic and stir. Cook 1 minutes.
  • Add the seared meat back into the pan. Add the coffee and 2 c. of the beef broth. Stir well.
  • Open the tomatoes, and using your hands break them up as you add them to the pan. Add tomato juice to the pan.
  • Stir well and crumble in the bacon. Place the lid back on the pot and cook over low-medium (simmer gently) for 2 ½ – 3 hours. Add the additional 2 c. beef broth as necessary.
  • Finish off with fresh tabasco pepper sauce if desired.
  • Top with any and all of the toppings your prefer! Enjoy!
Keyword chili, mexican food, no beans chili, no beans texas brisket chili, Texas Brisket Chili, Texas Chili
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Filed Under: Soups/Stews/Gumbo//Chili Tagged With: brisket, brisket chili, chili, no beans chili, Texas Brisket Chili, texmex

The Best Chili Mac

January 23, 2020 by Becky Spoon

Chili MacJump to Recipe
Chili Mac

Remember the Texas Chili I made the other day? Well, this Chili Mac is from the leftover chili! Most recipes you find for this recipe are with ground beef and I can never differentiate them from Goulash. It just seems so many of the ingredients are what you put in goulash??!! Chili Mac to me says Chili and Macaroni! Isn’t that what you think? Like Cincinnati Chili and Spaghetti? Yes, Exactly. That’s what it should be.

Chili Mac

The chili recipe is at this link: https://the2spoons.com/i-love-this-instant-pot-texas-chili/.

Texas Chili
Texas Chili

This recipe is so easy, loaded with macaroni and cheese, this is the ultimate casserole, ready and on the table in about 30 minutes! Also great for using up leftover chili well worth making straight from scratch!

Chili Mac

The Best Chili Mac

I added sautéed onions and bell peppers along with diced tomatoes. I used Mutti tomatoes because they have a great flavor. Here’s a link if you’re not familiar https://amzn.to/37qBRKI.

Here’s the recipe! Enjoy!

Chili Mac

Print Recipe
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1/2 green pepper, diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder or regular chili powder
  • 1 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1/2-1 lb macaroni
  • leftover homemade chili, or a good quality store bought chili
  • 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cup medium cheddar cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley, chopped to garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook your macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet then add the onions and peppers. Saute until the onions are translucent. Add a little salt and pepper and the chili powder. Add the tomatoes and combine. Add the leftover chili, stir to combine and heat through. If you think it's not juicy enough, add a little water, tomato juice or beef stock to loosen the mixture. Remove from the heat and add 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese.
  • Add the macaroni to the chili mixture and toss to combine, but don't over stir. . Butter a casserole dish and add the mixture. Dot the dish with the cubed Velveeta. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and cook until bubbly and the cheese has melted. Enjoy!
Keyword casserole, cheese, chili, chili mac, dinner, leftovers, lunch, macaroni and cheese, maccaroni, supper, tomatoes
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Filed Under: Beef Tagged With: cheese, chili, chili mac, dinner, leftover chili, leftovers, lunch, macaroni, macaroni and cheese, tomatoes

Frank X. Tolbert’s Original Texas Chili

December 31, 2018 by Becky Spoon

Texas Chili!

I love original Texas Chili! It’s hard to find a good recipe though. I’ve been using this recipe for years and it always turns out perfect!

And, of course, we do not cook our chili with beans. If you want beans, cook them separately and have them if some want to add beans after the chili is finished.

Garnish with chopped onions, cilantro, cheddar cheese, sour cream if you want, some top with ketchup and this makes great homemade Frito pies!

I think you’ll love this recipe and it will become a favorite!

Frank X. Tolbert’s Original Texas Chili

Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2-4 ancho chiles, 4-8 small dried red chiles or 2-4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 4 tbsps vegetable oil
  • 3 lbs beef chuck, cut in bite size pieces or already prepared chili meat from the grocery
  • 1-2 cups beef stock or water
  • 1/3 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsps ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp ground oregano
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup Hungarian sweet paprika
  • 1-2 fresh cilantro sprigs

Instructions
 

  • If using chiles, trim the stems and remove seeds. Place in a small saucepan and add water to barely cover. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer the chiles and their soaking water to a blender or a food processor fitted with metal blade. Purée until smooth. Set aside.
  • Brown half of the meat in a large skillet in the vegetable oil over high heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the meat and juices to a heavy pot and add the puréed chiles or chili powder, if using. Place over low heat and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, brown the remaining beef in the same manner, then transfer it and the juices to the pot. Add enough stock or water to just cover the meat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, salt to taste, paprika and cilantro and continue to simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender, another 30 minutes. Add a little liquid if the mixture begins to stick or looks too dry.
  • When the chili is ready, using a large kitchen spoon, skim any fat from the surface. Ladle into bowls and serve.
    Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Keyword chilli, texas, tolberts, original
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Filed Under: Soups/Stews/Gumbo//Chili Tagged With: chili, texas, texasred, tolbertsoriginal

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