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Soups

Simple Texas Chili Recipe, Served 3 Ways, PLUS a Virtual Chili Cookoff

This simple Texas chili recipe is a good example of why I want to share our family recipes on my blog.  My father-in-law (George) was a great cook.  He owned and managed restaurants most of his adult life.  He never used a recipe and never wrote anything down.  Since he passed away in 1999 we’ve tried to recreate many of his recipes.  Usually between all the kids we can come up with something close.  It’s that way with my mother’s and grandmother’s recipes, too.  Their recipes were simple and delicious.  Most were easy and cheap to make.  They had to be, they were all working full time with not much money left for fancy meals.

Simple Texas Chili recipe with Fritos and cheese | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

I want my kids and grandkids to be able to create these recipes someday so I’m gonna keep trying to recreate them for my blog.

Now, back to George’s recipe.  I make chili a lot but over the years I’ve gradually adapted it to what my family likes.  George’s chili was simple and he was a bit bullheaded about it.  “Texas chili does NOT have beans,” he would say.  He’d serve beans WITH the chili but never IN it.  And it didn’t have vegetables in it.  (I guess he didn’t count an onion as a vegetable.)

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Simple Texas Chili Recipe

  • 1 T vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 3 T chili powder
  • 1 T cumin
  • 1 T paprika
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 t black pepper
  • 1/2 t garlic powder
  • 1/4 t cayenne
  • 4 c water
  • 1 t masa

Saute the onion in the oil.  Add the ground beef and scramble fry together.  Add all the spices, stir.  Add water.  Bring to a boil, turn down heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Mix masa with about 1/4 c cold water in a small bowl.  Add to chili while stirring.  Simmer another 10 minutes to thicken.  (I’ve used regular white flour when we didn’t have masa.)

Now to let you in on our next family secret.  Here’s how my mom taught us to eat chili:

Simple Texas Chili Recipe, we eat it with catsup, virtual chili cook off | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Yes, that’s catsup.  We would crumble saltine crackers on top and squirt on some catsup.  My mom loved catsup.  She knew that I’d found a keeper when I brought Glenn home and he asked for catsup!

Now that I live in California I sometimes add some veggies to my chili.

Simple Texas chili recipe served with tomatoes, Fritos, and shredded cheese | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

This Texas chili recipe is also great on baked potatoes, hot dogs, or enchiladas.


Here’s a list of all the chili recipes in the virtual chili cookoff.  If you’d like to join in, click through and make a few of these, then come back and vote for your favorite! 

Easy and Delicious Crock Pot Chili www.myfamilythyme.com

Jed's Traditional Beef Chili www.mymommadethat.com

Chilly Nite Chili www.chathamhillonthelake.com

Easy Fool Proof Chili for the Non-Gourmet wwwlifeonpearlstreet.com

Perfect Chili and Cornbread in 15 Minutes www.thechelseaproject.com

The Best Gluten Free Homemade Chili www.promisinglypennywise.com

Bacon Chicken Chili and Beans www.craftylilypad.theblogpress.com

Simple Real Food Instant Pot Chili www.ourhomemyheart.com

Easy Chili with Beans Over Rice www.smallhomesoul.com

Super Easy Spicy Turkey Chili www.mommacan.com

Simple Texas Chili www.ducttapeanddenim.com

Easy Peasy Weekday Chili www.sledgehammerqueen.com

Halloween Cauldron Chili and Cornbread www.faeriesandfauna.com

White Bean Chicken Chili www.mythriftyhouse.com

5 Can Slow Cooker Chili Using Leftovers www.dailydiylife.com

Family Favorite Recipe Great Chili www.shoppeno5.com

Slow Cooked Chili with Chocolate

Taco Chili www.http://wp.me/p36yy8-dw

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these:

  • Easy Texas Gumbo
  • Turkey Taco Soup
  • Meatball Minestrone Soup Recipe

‘Til the next bowl of chili,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube

 Simple Texas chili recipe 3 ways PLUS a virtual chili cookoff on DuctTapeAndDenim.com

We share at these blog parties.


19 Comments

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Comments

  1. Debrashoppeno5 says

    October 29, 2016 at 8:41 am

    I love trying new recipes and flavors. Yum, pinned.

    Reply
  2. Pamela List says

    October 29, 2016 at 9:00 am

    I had no idea Texas chili was bean-free and veggie free! lol
    It looks really good and has my favorite topping, Fritos!

    Pam

    Reply
  3. Denise Bryant says

    October 29, 2016 at 9:11 am

    When I lived in Texas we never had chili with beans but for me it’s a must….I just added them to my recipe.

    Reply
  4. Leanna says

    October 29, 2016 at 11:27 am

    The corn chips on top is hands down my favorite. I bet the texture is fun. Looks delish. Pinned

    Reply
  5. Susanne says

    October 29, 2016 at 11:18 am

    ohhhhh, fritos in your chili, I have to try that!! It looks wonderful, although not real sure about catsup, lol!! pinning and sharing 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sam @ Raggedy Bits says

    October 29, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    A fabulous collection of different ways to serve chilli! Can’t wait to try them all!

    Reply
  7. Melony says

    October 29, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Wow, I wish I would have known about this when I was a kid. I always picked the beans out, but now I love them! This will be fun to make and a nice change from my chili recipe.

    Reply
  8. Toni Harvey says

    October 29, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    This looks so good, and I love it that you’ve worked so hard to recreate your hubby’s dad’s recipe. I bet that meant a lot to him. I love it that he wasn’t afraid to ask for catsup, that’s confidence, and yes you have a keeper 🙂 I can’t wait to try your recipe for our chili cook off. But I might hold the catsup and add some avocado (california girl) 🙂

    Reply
  9. Heather Northington says

    October 30, 2016 at 8:41 am

    Wow I have never had chili with ketchup!! I bet I could get the teens to eat it this way LOL They put that stuff on everything! Looking forward to giving your recipe a try! Thanks so much

    Reply
  10. debbie says

    October 30, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    The only so far in the group with no beans! I forgot how much I love to mix Frito Corn Chips with a great bowl of Chili. Looking forward to enjoying your Father-in-law’s recipe…a restaurant inspired chili!

    Reply
  11. Susie says

    October 31, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Love all of your ideas for serving the chili. I really must add the fresh veggies….looks devine. Thanks for sharing XOXO Susie from Chelsea Project

    Reply
  12. Melissa Hatcher says

    November 7, 2016 at 3:36 am

    Oh MY! This looks amazing. Never thought about using crackers and catsup on top- that sounds super awesome! Can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply
  13. jan says

    December 28, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    That looks like a great bowl of chili! I’d love for you to share over at a new party called Let’s Party https://themarkandjanshow.com/2017/12/27/lets-party-1/ … look forward to seeing you there!

    Reply
  14. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    December 30, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!

    Reply
  15. Miz Helen says

    December 31, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday in 2017. Wishing you the very best in 2018 and hope to see you soon.
    Happy New Year!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  16. Petra says

    January 2, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    I can never resist a good chilli! I like the recipe and like you I would add veggies as well, I just can’t help myself 🙂 Happy Fiesta Friday!

    Reply
  17. Miz Helen says

    January 8, 2018 at 6:18 am

    Congratulations!
    Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday and thanks so much for sharing it with us! Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great week!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      January 8, 2018 at 7:51 am

      Thanks so much!!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Best Easy Texas Gumbo Recipe says:
    August 11, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    […] Simple Texas Chili Recipe, Served 3 Ways […]

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