The Ultimate Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe (With or Without Beans)

Have you ever found yourself thinking about that wonderfully rich, hearty, and perfectly spiced bowl of chili from Texas Roadhouse? It’s a special kind of comfort food that warms you right to your soul. We certainly have, and we decided it was high time we stopped daydreaming and started cooking. After numerous attempts and taste tests, we’ve perfected the ultimate Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe (With or Without Beans), and we are so excited to share it with you. This recipe truly captures the signature flavour of the original, providing you with a first-class restaurant chili copycat that you can whip up in your very own kitchen.

Whether you are a chili traditionalist who insists beans have no place in the pot, or you believe they are an essential ingredient, this recipe has you covered. We have designed it to be spectacular either way, so you can finally settle the great chili debate in your own home. Prepare yourself to create a deeply flavourful and satisfying meal that your loved ones will be requesting time and time again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Restaurant Taste: We’ve meticulously balanced the spices and ingredients to replicate that signature Texas Roadhouse flavour we all adore. It’s rich, savoury, and carries just the right amount of warmth.
• Completely Customisable: You’re the chef here! We’ll guide you on how to prepare it with or without beans and show you how to effortlessly tweak the heat to craft the ideal spicy chili for your taste.
• A Superb One-Pot Meal: The entire dish comes together in a single pot, which means less time spent washing up and more time savouring your culinary masterpiece. It’s the perfect fuss-free dinner for a hectic weeknight.
• Tastes Even Better Tomorrow: Like any truly great chili, the flavours in this dish meld and deepen beautifully overnight. This makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping, as the leftovers are a genuine treat.
• Hearty and Wholesome: Brimming with protein and rich ingredients, this is a seriously filling meal that promises to leave everyone at the dinner table feeling content and wonderfully satisfied.

Ingredients

• 1 kg lean beef mince (we recommend 80/20 chuck)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 (800g) tin of crushed tomatoes
• 1 (400g) tin of diced tomatoes, undrained
• 240ml beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
• 1 (400g) tin of kidney beans or pinto beans (optional)

The Great Debate: Crafting Your Perfect Texas Style Chili

Deep in the heart of Texas, adding beans to chili is considered a serious culinary faux pas by many purists. An authentic Texas style chili, often referred to as a “bowl o’ red,” is traditionally focused purely on the meat and the deep, complex flavour of the chili peppers. In fact, according to the International Chili Society, true Texas chili should not contain beans. The emphasis is on tender morsels of beef simmered in a thick, fiery sauce.

However, we are firm believers that rules in the kitchen are sometimes meant to be bent! While we have a deep appreciation for the classic no-bean version, incorporating beans can introduce a delightful creamy texture, increase the fibre content, and make the meal go even further. Our recipe is wonderful either way, allowing you to choose your side. If you opt to include beans, we suggest adding them in the final 30 minutes of simmering to ensure they keep their shape and don’t turn to mush.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Our Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe

Simply follow these straightforward steps to cook up a show-stopping bowl of chili.

1. Brown the Mince: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and cook until it is browned all over, using a wooden spoon to break it apart. Once cooked, carefully drain away any excess fat.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Continue to cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant.
3. Awaken the Spices: Tip the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper directly into the pot. Stir continuously for around one minute. This process, known as “blooming,” gently toasts the spices to unlock their full flavour potential.
4. Combine and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, the tin of diced tomatoes (including the juice), and the beef broth. Stir through the tomato purée and the optional brown sugar. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
5. Let the Magic Happen: Place a lid on the pot and allow the chili to simmer for at least one hour, giving it a stir every so often. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavours will deepen and develop. For the very best results, we suggest a gentle simmer of 1.5 to 2 hours.
6. Add Beans (Optional): If you are including beans, stir them into the chili during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
7. Taste and Serve: After the chili has finished simmering, give it a final taste and add any extra seasoning if you think it needs it. Serve piping hot with all your favourite toppings.

Tips for the Perfect Beef Chili Recipe

To truly take your chili from good to unforgettable, we recommend keeping these professional pointers in mind.

Choosing the Right Beef

The cornerstone of any fantastic beef chili recipe is, without a doubt, the beef itself. While standard lean mince will work just fine, using an 80/20 chuck mince will reward you with a far richer flavour and a more tender texture, thanks to its higher fat content. This fat renders down during the long, slow simmer, infusing the whole dish with incredible depth.

The Secret to Deep Flavour

Patience is truly the secret ingredient here. It’s crucial not to rush the simmering stage. A long, slow cooking time allows the beef to become exceptionally tender while the spices meld together to create a complex, robust flavour profile. For an even richer taste, some chefs add a splash of strong black coffee or a dark beer along with the beef broth. These additions introduce a subtle bitterness that wonderfully complements the spices.

Serving and Topping Suggestions

One of the best parts about chili is piling on the toppings! Why not set up a chili bar and let everyone build their own perfect bowl? Here are a few of our favourite additions:

• Grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• A dollop of soured cream or Greek yoghurt
• Finely chopped spring onions or red onion
• Sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños
• Crushed tortilla chips or corn crisps
• Fresh coriander
• A side of warm, fluffy cornbread for dipping

Feeling adventurous? Now that you’ve mastered this hearty chili, you might be ready to tackle other comforting meals. Why not try our classic Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe for your next family dinner, or mix things up with these easy and delicious Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls?

FAQ

Your New Go-To Chili Recipe

So there you have it—a simple yet deeply flavourful recipe that brings one of America’s most cherished restaurant dishes right into your own home. This Texas Roadhouse copycat is so much more than a meal; it’s a bowl full of comfort, ideal for chilly evenings, game days, or any occasion that calls for a hearty, warming dish. It’s a recipe made for sharing, celebrating, and making wonderful memories.

We are certain this will become your new favourite chili. So, grab your largest pot, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create something special. Please don’t forget to let us know how your Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe (With or Without Beans) turns out in the comments section below. We always love to hear from you!

Recipe Card

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 kg lean beef mince (80/20 chuck)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 (800g) tin of crushed tomatoes
• 1 (400g) tin of diced tomatoes, undrained
• 240ml beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
• 1 (400g) tin of kidney beans or pinto beans (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef mince, break it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the pot, cooking for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir for one minute to toast the spices.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their juice, and beef broth. Stir in tomato purée and optional brown sugar.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. For best results, simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours.
6. If using beans, add them during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
7. Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favourite toppings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 447, Carbs: 20 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 29 g