Texas-Style Chilli Recipe

Name: Texas-Style Chilli Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 190 min
Yield: 6 -8
Ingredients: 2 tbsp oil; 1 large onion (chopped); 2 tsp cumin; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp oregano; 2 bay leaves; 4 cloves of garlic (sliced); 1 red chilli (deseeded and minced); 1 lbs extra-lean ground beef; 1/2 lbs pork loin (cubed); 2-3 tbsp chipotle paste or 2-3 whole chipotle peppers pureed; 2 X 400 g cans of chopped tomatoes; 50 g dark chocolate (70%-85%); 1 X 400 g can butter beans; 1 X 400g can kidney beans; 1 X 165 g can corn; salt; plain yogurt; fresh cilantro

Everyone needs a trustworthy chilli recipe, and here is mine! Arguably adding beans to this Texas-style chilli was a tad controversial but authenticity was never claimed. I made it my own!

It is mid September yet we are already firmly planted into the autumn season. I am writing this as the rain is relentlessly pounding on the roof of my glass conservatory, and if it wasn’t 10 am I’d already, be reaching for a bowl of this Texas-style chilli to cozy up with.

Alas, it’s too early and I am settling for a cup of tea instead. What can I say about this chilli?

It’s like a warm hug on a sad, rainy day. No, it won’t make all your life problems disappear but it will brighten your day and remind you of all that is good and true!

I lived in the States for four years while attending college but I have never been to Texas, hence the cautiousness in the title of the recipe. I named it Texas-style in fear of invoking rage from true Texans ’cause you know…don’t mess with Texas and all that business.

I have learned to love chilli while living in the Midwestern Minnesota as well as many other American dishes. They don’t always make it on my blog but they are a big part of our daily meals. And since the weather turned, the kids have been begging for a chilli.

As it often happens at the end the summer season, full of barbecues and naughty holiday food, I try to bring us back to the healthy and wholesome. This chilli recipe is quite good for you.

What goes into a chilli recipe?

I’ve used a pound of extra-lean ground beef and half a pound of lean pork loin to trim off the fat. It’s also full of healthy fibre that comes from beans.

There are a few things I’ve included that make this chilli extra flavourful and delicious-chipotle paste and dark chocolate. They bring an absolutely gorgeous smokiness to the dish that would make you feel like you are eating it around a campfire!

I have looked through many recipes for inspiration and in the end I chose this Texas Chilli recipe from NY Times as a base but adapted it to the ingredients I had at home.

I urge you to do the same! All that matters is that it’s an easy one pot dinner so feel free to use any meat you like and any bean combination. Also, adjust the spice to your taste. We like it HOT!

For more comfort food recipes check out

Chile Verde

Russian Sweet and Sour Beef Stew Solyanka

One Pot Italian Rosemary Chicken and White Bean Stew