Texas Chili

We're going to San Diego today to watch the Longhorns play the Cal Bears in the Holiday Bowl, so I thought today would be the perfect day to share my Texas chili recipe with you all.

I've been making this chili for a couple of years now.  After making many other chili recipes, this is by far my favorite.  The chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are what makes this chili so unique and so delicious.  I made this recipe for Christmas dinner this year, and hope to continue this tradition in the years to come, but you can make this chili at anytime.  It's the perfect fall/ cold winter night meal.  This recipe makes a HUGE pot though, so make some and invite some friends over to share it with!

Texas Chili


2-3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
4 slices turkey bacon, sliced in half length-wise, and chopped in  1/4 in. sized pieces
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
3 tbsp. chili powder
2 tbsp. smoked paprika
1 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. Italian sausage links, removed from casings and crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes with puree
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (I use one jalapeno and 1 tbsp. of the sauce from the can)

Heat the olive oil and turkey bacon in a heavy-bottomed, 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat.  Once the bacon is browned, remove the bacon from the pan, leaving behind the bacon infused olive oil.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan and saute for 7-10 minutes, or until tender.  Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.  Stir until all the spices are well combined.

Add the ground beef and crumbled sausage.  Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the meat.  Break up the meat with a wooden spoon while it is cooking.

Once the meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients, toss in the bacon that you cooked earlier, reduce the heat to a low simmer, and cover.  Allow the chili to simmer for about an hour and then serve with your favorite fixinings: sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onion, corn chips, or chopped jalepeno chiles.

Hook 'em Horns!