Best Texas Chili Beans Recipe with easy steps (2024)

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Enjoy a hearty bowl of this Texas Chili Beans Recipe, an unbeatable comfort food with a Texan twist. This iconic dish is packed with bold flavors, vegan ground beef, and a spicy kick that’ll warm your soul. It’s perfect for chilly nights, game day gatherings, or simply when you’re craving a taste of the Lone Star State.

What is Texas Chili?

Texas Chili, often simply referred to as “chili” in Texas, is a regional dish that has a long history in Texas and is closely tied to Texan culinary traditions and culture. The name “Texas Chili” emphasizes its Texan origin, and it’s considered a source of pride for many Texans.

The dish’s roots trace back to the Texan cattle drives of the 19th century when cowboys would cook a hearty stew made from beef and chili peppers over open fires during their journeys. Over time, this simple dish evolved and became an integral part of Texan cuisine.

Texas Chili is also famous for its place in chili cook-off competitions, particularly the “Terlingua International Chili Championship,” which has been held in Texas since the 1960s. These events celebrate the art of making chili and contribute to the dish’s association with Texas.

What is the difference between Texas Chili and Chili con Carne?

Texas Chili and Chili con Carne (or Chile con Carne) are two similar yet distinct dishes.

Texas Chili traditionally consists of beef chunks and chili peppers, while Chili con Carne contains various meats, chili peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and sometimes beans.

Does authentic Texas chili have beans?

Authentic chili, particularly in the context of traditional Texas Chili, does not typically include beans. In fact, many purists argue that true Texas Chili should be beanless.

Usually, Texas Chili is known for its focus on meat (usually chunks of beef) and chili peppers as the primary ingredients, often with onions, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder.

However, it’s important to note that there are various regional and personal variations of chili, and whether beans are included or not can vary. It is common to include beans (often kidney beans or pinto beans) as they add substance and flavor to the dish. So, the presence of beans in chili depends on the specific recipe and regional preferences.

What makes this Texas Chili Beans Recipe stand out

I would like to share with you my own unique variation of a Texas style chili recipe. It’s an easy-to-follow recipe that provides a delicious flavor, a hearty texture, and just the right amount of heat.

As the name suggests, my version of Texas Chili includes kidney beans, which in my opinion, add another layer of flavor to the dish and complement the vegan ground beef perfectly.

This recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight meal for the entire family, and it’s also perfect for meal prep since it’s easy to store in the fridge or freezer for longer. Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure it will become your go-to meal.

What ingredients go into this Texas Chili Beans Recipe

The best thing about how this easy recipe will wow your taste buds is the short list of ingredients and equipment that you need to make it.

All you need is a wooden spoon and a large pot, saucepan, or Dutch oven.

Furthermore, check your pantry and fridge for vegan ground beef, olive oil, a can of kidney beans (or black beans), tomato sauce (alternatively tomato paste that you thin with a bit of water or vegetable broth), and cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic as seasoning.

How to make Texas Chili Beans

See to it that you have a large pot or a Dutch oven ready. Prepare the kidney beans by draining them from the can. You don’t need to wash the bean liquid off completely, just make sure to remove most of it.

Set the pan or Dutch oven on the stove and heat up the oil in it. When hot, give the ground beef to it and fry it for about 4 minutes on medium-high heat.

Next, reduce to medium heat and add in pressed fresh garlic (or garlic powder if you prefer that), cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Bring to a simmer and cook everything for 2 minutes more.

Finally, mix in the drained kidney beans, and the tomato sauce, and season everything with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes more on low heat and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Finally, it’s time to serve your mouthwatering Texas Chili Beans. Ladle it into bowls and garnish to your heart’s content. Here are some popular garnishes:

What to do with leftover chili?

Leftovers of the Texas Chili Beans Recipe are great for 4 days and will taste even better the next day. Just make sure to use an airtight container.

The versatility of this great recipe makes it perfect for creating new and delicious meals with its leftovers. There are many ways to transform leftover chili into something amazing.

One option is to use it as a topping for baked potatoes, nachos, or hot dogs. Add cheese, sour cream, chives, jalapeños, and sliced black olives to make chili nachos.

You can also combine chili with cooked macaroni or pasta to make chili mac. Add cheese and breadcrumbs and bake to make a chili mac casserole. Another option is to fill bell peppers with leftover chili, top with shredded cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender.

If you prefer something more portable, roll up chili, cheese, and your favorite toppings in tortillas to make chili burritos or tacos. Spread chili between two tortillas, add cheese, and cook in a skillet until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese has melted to make chili quesadillas. These are just a few ideas for transforming leftover chili into something amazing.

Remember to adjust the seasoning and spice level as needed, as the flavors of the chili may intensify or mellow after being stored. Leftover chili can be a great way to create new dishes quickly and reduce food waste.

Other easy Chili Recipes to try

Chili Cheese Fries
Chipotle Chili
Instant Pot Chili
Vegetarian White Bean Chili
White Chili Lasagna [vegan]

If you enjoy this Texas Chili Beans Recipe, share it on Instagram and Facebook with a tag.

Enjoy, Florian.