Truly Texan Chili Recipe

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2012 by kedenv

Yummy! The chili is a great base recipe and doesn't disappoint. I added half a medium size onion with the meat and garlic, and then 2 tbsp. of Chipotle Tabasco sauce for an extra kick. We all loved it and it goes fantastically over spaghetti! I will definitely make this recipe again.

Reviewed on Oct. 17, 2012 by Karen.Buske

Chili is not chili unless it has beans in it, period. Whether it's from South Dakota or from New York. Where does it tell us what's truly a Chili Recipe or not. If you like beans, add them. If you like steak or ground beef, add it. This recipe says she is from Texas, not that it's a Texan chili, just that she enjoys it. And who say's a true texan chili doen't have ground beef? To the "bestteacher", who taught you that beans isn't truly Texas chili? Come on folks, just enjoy this recipe, it's good. I grew up using ground beef, we were poor growing up. But I appreciate all the other recipes that add cubes of beef, chicken, or no beans. To me, there all great!

Reviewed on Oct. 15, 2012 by robert moore

The chili is good but you will never find a TRUE Texas Chili made of ground Beef.

Reviewed on Oct. 12, 2012 by bestteacher

Texas Chili does not contain beans, so this isn't truly Texas chili. However, you got the part about no tomatoes right. No tomatoes, no beans. Just spicy and beefy.

Reviewed on Oct. 08, 2012 by Vickie1004

Very tasty, perfect fall recipe for those cold days

Reviewed on Oct. 06, 2012 by aquasasnee

while this is a good chili recipe it is not truly Texas, which uses chopped steak and does NOT ever use beans of any sort

Reviewed on Oct. 05, 2012 by ellbates

Yes! A wonderful recipe that is pretty close to truly Texan! I don't know who started adding tomatoes to chili, or when it started. It is good that way, but not the Texan way. As far as beans, I would leave them out. That is just my preference. And I like to add some Heat in the form of whatever pepper I have available, jalapeno, serrano, etc. As someone noted, flour can be added or a substitution of masa, corn meal, whatever you like. But it does make a wonderfully thick, flavorful chili. Thank you for posting this. Chili is as versatile a food as you can find, but this is a great place to start!

Reviewed on Oct. 05, 2012 by alalmy

My family thought it was ok, but more like a hotdog topping than chili. I would make it and possibly can it for use on hotdogs.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by vieux

Beans or no chili is what you make of it. This a great builder. Add what you like and continue with however to cook in your favoured way. There's no need to disparage somone just because you have a different idea. Thank you Betty for a great rec.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by laurie3200

"God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy" :-)

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by rockinrobinhouston

Real Texas chili is made with ground red pepper and sirloin and no beans. It's really good with venison back strap too.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by mdjr1111

 As soon as my household goods are delivered next week - yes, I'm also military & have traveled around the world, experiencing wonderful regional foods - I shall make this. I prefer green chili in mine for a bit of flavorful heat. Betty Brown - great job! 

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by corpuscissy

Loved this recipe. It is similar to one I make except we use chile powder and Ranch Style Beans together. No broth just diced tomatoes and juice. Funny all the controversy about the name. I'm from S. Texas and have travelled as well. No food is made the same at any one restaurant, or anyone's home. I've ordered a taquito and was given a "breakfast burrito ". It was the same ingredients. I've ordered Mexican food in Nebraska with similar names, and it was not like Mexican food from S. Texas. But still delicious ! Show some love folks !

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by Bobcap

It was good but I like lots more chile powder and only a certain brand that isn't bitter and I like hot chiles in it but good base to start with.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by Bobcap

It was good but I like lots more chile powder and only a certain brand that isn't bitter and I like hot chiles in it but good base to start with

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by Bleugerman

Very good recipe. I love this chili. Excellent recipe!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by ladymaverick

DEFINITION - Chili is a stew-like soup made entirely with meat, chiles, or chili powder (or both) and according to what region of the United States that you live in, it can also include beans. "Con carne" means "with meat." You people who knocked this entry down without even trying it are not very nice. I have been all over this world and have tried all kinds of foods made a thousand different ways. Our favorite chili has taco seasoning in it instead of chili powder. It's all in the way that ingredients come together for taste. So come down off your pedestal where the rest of us live before judging us. My deepest thanks to the person who submitted this recipe. I sincerely hope you ignore the small-minded who can only travel the narrow roads. This world traveler enjoys the differences in our world and I look forward to much more!!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by dpmom55

I forgot so say beans are controversial as far as true Texas chili is concerned, but I prefer to have beans in my chili.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by dpmom55

THIS IS TRULY TEXAS CHILI! NO TOMATOES IN TEXAS CHILI!!!!! The only thing I would do differently and it's only it I have it on hand is to corn flour instead of regular flour. Even if you don't use it, it's still great. Make some cornbread in your cast iron skillet to go with it :)

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by WooWooWoobie

True Texas chili has NO beans in it.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by crockerycooker

Loved it!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by rogpen

I loved this chili. We had some left over so I put it in a flour tortilla, sprinkled a little cheese on it, rolled it up to bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes a very good burrito.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by h2b4n6d9

This is a good base chili recipe, I like a good thick chili that is hardy and thick to your bones style. If you like your chili hot or mild you can adapt this chili to that flavor and mak it your own style. I'll give this 4.5 stars, would have click on a star but it didn't have any.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by lindapcoe

Thank-you Betty for your recipe for Texas chili. It is very close to some chilis that I have judged in chili contests across the states!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by pamid

I would make it again but without the beans. You got the name all wrong, just because the lady is from San Antonio doesn't mean it is the real deal. True chili lacks both tomatoes which aren't in this one AND NO BEANS!!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by KPater

I am one who has not yet tried this recipe yet, although it is very similar to my own (albeit without the flour). One of the reviewers said "too much garlic". Holy cow, she wouldn't want to eat at my house if she thinks 2 or 3 cloves of garlic is too much.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by jln1799

I'm a Texan. My husband is a Texas. We both like this chili. Next time I'll change it up a bit as that just how I am. I like to taylor to whats in the kitchen. As for all those other reviewers. Maybe that wasn't Texas chili to you, ya'll sure don't have Texas manners to me. Don't fall off your horse sounds like it's a LONG way down.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by Debbie1234567890

You know why this can be "Truly Texan Chili"? Because there are so many chilis that receive this title. When I taught in SA, our school would sponsor a "chili cookoff" during Fiesta. There were as many chilis as there were contestants -- some with beans, some without; some with ground beef, some with cubed beef; some with tomatoes, some without; some have corn, some don't. Get the picture? This is a big state with big ideas about chili. So cut Ms. Brown some slack, huh? If her version has flour, and her chili is more like a stew, well, many chili's are stew-like. Stop quibbling over the title of her recipe. Welcome home, Betty Brown!

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by Ohio46

I guess chili is very much a regional thing. I did not make this as it has such an "overload" of meat that it sounded more like a version of sloppy joe compared to how I would picture a bowl chili which in my area is more of a thick soup dish which includes a tomato product which also varies by the cook. This is not a criticism of the recipe-just an observation of how geographical changes seem to make a huge difference.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by deebeth71

I never put flour into chili or stew...it gives a "gravy" taste that takes away from the chili flavor. I'm Texas...and we always put beans into our chili, along with a can of tomatoes and jalapenos or green chilies...but no broth or flour.