Alright, tiny chili culture note up front 😄: Texas-style chili is traditionally bean-free, but plenty of Texans happily eat it with beans at home. So let’s call this Texas-inspired slow-cooker chili with beans—big beefy flavor, dried chiles, low fuss.
Texas-Style Slow Cooker Chili (with Beans)
Ingredients
Meat & base
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1–2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Chili flavor
- 3 tbsp chili powder (ancho if you can find it)
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano (regular oregano works)
- ½–1 tsp cayenne (to taste)
- Salt & black pepper
Liquids
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 (12–14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Beans
- 2 cans pinto or kidney beans, drained & rinsed
Optional but very Texas
- 1–2 dried ancho or guajillo chiles, seeded & torn up
- 1 tsp cocoa powder or a square of dark chocolate
- 1 tsp brown sugar (balances heat, not sweet)
Instructions
- Brown the beef
Season beef with salt & pepper. Brown in batches in a hot skillet with oil—don’t rush this. That crust = flavor. - Build the base
Add onion to the same pan, cook until soft. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. - Wake up the spices
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. - Slow cooker time
Transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add beef, broth, tomatoes, dried chiles (if using), cocoa/chocolate, and brown sugar. - Cook low & slow
- LOW: 8–9 hours
- HIGH: 4–5 hours
- Add beans late
Stir in beans during the last 60–90 minutes so they don’t get mushy. - Final seasoning
Adjust salt, pepper, and heat. Remove dried chiles if used.
How to Serve
- Chopped onion
- Shredded cheddar or pepper jack
- Sour cream
- Cornbread or warm flour tortillas
Pro Tips
- Want it thicker? Leave the lid cracked for the last 30 minutes.
- Want deeper flavor? Make it a day ahead—chili loves leftovers.
- Want it spicier? Add chipotle powder or a splash of hot sauce at the end.
If you want, I can tweak this for extra spicy, no tomatoes, or competition-style vibes 🌶️
