Celebrate Texas Independence Day with this easy Texas Chili Recipe, made without beans and using Llano Estacado red wine. This post is sponsored by Llano Estacado Winery.
Friends, get ready for a lil' history lesson.
Psst: your reward will be some super tasty chili, I promise.
On March 2nd, us Texans celebrate Texas Independence Day, which is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. What happened in 1836? Basically, a document was signed which allowed settlers in Texas to officially declare independence from Mexico and, thus, to create the Republic of Texas.
Pretty cool, right?
Before moving to Austin, Texas from California, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had been a SoCal girl for almost 30 years and I had heard so many stories about Texas.
Having lived in Austin now for the past 7 years (OMG!), I’ve learned a lot about Texas -- it's history, food (duh!), and it's pride.
I have actually learned a good deal about Texas from Jordan when she comes home and shares what she has learned in school about her state.
Yes, 3rd grade education is going on over here. Jealous?
For example, I have learned that the Texas state fruit is the Texas Red Grapefruit (LOVE btw). I've learned the Texas state dog is called a Blue Lacy Dog. For realz - and it's super adorbs. And I've learned the state dish is...CHILI.
So, naturally, for Texas Independence Day, I had to make some Texas Chili! I am a Texan, after all.
So...What is Texas Chili?
Okay, so I had to do some research before taking on THE Texas chili recipe. Because another thing I've learned about Texas is they are specific in how they like their authentic recipes. The absolute main thing I found out is that a Texas chili recipe contains NO beans -- like don't even think about adding them.
Then, things got a little confusing. Some experts said Texas chili contains tomatoes, but others didn't. Some said it contains chili paste, but others didn't. Some said oregano, but others didn't.
It got real hard real fast to decipher.
Where was my third grader to tell me what to do?
Then I found Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson's recipe for chili and it contained the following:
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- oregano
- omino seed
- chili powder
- canned whole tomatoes
- lquid hot sauce
- hot water
- salt
So I figured I'd be okay to add in tomatoes and oregano, like I had wanted. Plus: how cool is that?!? If it's good enough for Lady Bird Johnson, it's good enough for me!
Because pretty much everyone agrees, I also chose not to add any beans, much to my dismay, since I am a bean lover for sure.
How To Freeze This Texas Chili Recipe
Another great thing about this easy Texas chili recipe is that you can easily heat up the leftovers and you have a satisfying and filling lunch or dinner ready in a matter of minutes. This chili recipe yields a good 6 servings total so you could make it, have some, and then throw the leftovers in the freezer.
Here are some tips for how to freeze chili:
- Allow the chili to cool completely. You may want to transfer to a large bowl and then place in the refrigerator to cool more quickly.
- Freeze in either gallon– or quart-sized freezer bags or freezer safe containers for easy thawing and storage.
- Leave enough space at the top of the bag to allow for expansion during freezing. Squeeze as much air as possible out of the top of the bag and seal securely.
- Place the chili-filled freezer bags in the freezer, in a single, flat layer (using a rimmed baking sheet is helpful). Allow to freeze completely. Then, stack them on top of each other or standing side by side.
- Thaw bags of frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight or add to a deep pot, frozen, cover, and cook on medium to thaw.
Follow these easy freezing tips and you’ll be set for tasty Texas chili left-overs. Just be sure to wait on adding any toppings until it's ready to eat and avoid adding before freezing.
Texas Chili Recipe
Texas Chili Recipe
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 lbs grass-fed 90-10 ground beef
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup Llano Estacado 1836 Red wine
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
- greek yogurt, for topping
- sliced green onions, for topping
- shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 4-6 minutes, until softened.
- Add the ground beef and seasonings (chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, cayenne, pepper, granulated onion, granulated garlic, oregano, sea salt, and cumin) and break into small crumbles, stirring to combine.
- Cook the meat, stirring occasionally in the pan, until well-browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and Llano Estacado red wine, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on medium for 20 minutes.
- To serve, top with a dollop of greek yogurt, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post is sponsored by Llano Estacado Winery. This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Austin Born
Us Texans? Really?
Ron
Austin real Texans? Really?
Kerry
So delicious!!! Does your nutritional info include the Greek yogurt and cheese?
Alana
I love mines with beans. It doesn't taste right without it!
Ashley Kolpak
I like it with diced tomatoes, chili and kidney beans and lots of spice!
Karen Fenner
I like a few beans along with diced tomatoes. I also add brown sugar to offset the acid in the tomatoes. Yummy!
dTim
I was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, where Laano Estacado is located, and I always put beans in my chili, which may actually get me dis-invited from family reunions were this made known. I also like to put a lot of beef in mine, so much so that is is more of a beef dish than a chili dish.
angie
II add tomatoes,oregon , cumin, chili powder, three kind of meats and absolutely no beans. garnish with cheese, onions, sour cream or yogurt.
great recipe like how easyyou freeze it .Thank You
Danyelle
I’m a Texan and I put beans in my chili *gasp*! Looking forward to trying this recipe tomorrow night. My New Yorker husband has become a chili fan, even though I tend to be heavy handed with the cayenne. I like it hot, I can’t help it!
Jerry L Anderson
I also like the beans in mine.. I put a little Cayenne in but mostly I use hatch red chili powder best flavor ever..
Annette
I love this recipe. It has all the things I like in chili (the more the merrier) and NO BEANS! I don't care for beans. I haven't tried yogurt, but I'm willing to experiment.
Kristen
I make it with beans and tomatoes, but I'm good with no beans too....both are delicious!
Susan Roberts-Cooper
Lacey, I love your recipes and have made the most of your instant pot expertise! I am an imported Texan too - via London (isn't that Far East Texas?) and I am fixin' to try your super easy Texas Chili! I love black beans in mine, and sometimes drain them then put them through the processor so they thicken the chili and hide in plain sight. Would this be a 'faux' Texas chili? Probably, but it would still be delicious!
Heather Aleman
Spicy, and usually with beans! I’ll try this one without though 😉
Mary Green
I always have beans in mine - lots of beans. But hubby won’t eat it so I do for lunches. My guess is that he would luv Lady Bird’s and your recipes. Will be making it this next week. Thanks. I live iI
N Fort Worth but I never thought of this - duh!
Paula Hokerk
I use canned petite diced tomatoes, kidney beans, Williams chili seasoning, and hamburger meat. I've never tried with wine before....thats a good idea!
Becka
Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned??