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Healthy Award Winning Texas Chili Recipe

Authentic Award Winning Texas Chili made with tender beef cubes, caramelized tomato paste, and bold spices. This no-beans Texas-style chili is smoky, rich, and competition-ready, delivering deep flavor through slow stovetop braising for true chili lovers.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Texas
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

  1. Cut beef chuck into uniform 3/4-inch cubes and dice onions and garlic.
  2. Heat half of the ghee in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  3. Brown beef in batches until well seared, then remove and set aside.
  4. Add remaining ghee and sauté onions until soft and caramelized.
  5. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  6. Stir in tomato paste and cook until deeply caramelized.
  7. Add chili powder, ancho chili powder, paprika, cayenne, cumin, and oregano and toast briefly.
  8. Return beef to the pot and add hot sauce and water.
  9. Season lightly with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
  10. Cover partially and simmer on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  11. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning beef to avoid steaming. Fully caramelize tomato paste for depth of flavor. Keep heat low during braising to ensure tender beef. Authentic Texas chili contains no beans.