Chili is a word that has different meanings to different people.
I mean, I come from the Cincinnati area, which has its own take on chili, presented in different "ways." A hallmark is that spaghetti is part of the chili dish. Most chili recipes do not contain spaghetti like the Cincinnati versions. Texas chili recipes definitely don't!
Texas chili usually has a very specific connotation, but even that has different meanings depending on where you look. Google Bard describes Texas chili as having these characteristics:
- Beans: Texas chili does not contain beans. This is a key distinction, as beans are a common ingredient in many other types of chili.
- Tomatoes: Texas chili also does not contain tomatoes. This is another key distinction, as tomatoes are a common ingredient in many other types of chili.
- Meat: Texas chili is typically made with ground beef or beef brisket. Other types of chili can be made with a variety of meats, including ground turkey, ground pork, or even vegetarian chili.
- Spices: Texas chili is typically seasoned with a variety of spices, including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Other types of chili can be seasoned with a variety of different spices, depending on the cook's preference.
- Consistency: Texas chili is typically a thick, hearty stew. Other types of chili can be more watery or thinner.
Still, though, complicating matters are that often a recipe becomes popular in Amish communities and creative Amish cooks add their own twists and touches to a recipe. Creamed corn in a chili? Who does that? I can't find creamed corn in any chili recipe, but, hey, it works.
My parents made this Amish-Style Texas Chili and really liked it. They had enough leftovers to last them days. I took some home with me and,yes, I really like it.
📋 Steps to Making Traditional Texas Chili
This Amish-version of Texas chili differs from authentic Texas chili in several key ways, one of them being the addition of beans.
The history of Texas chili is a long and storied one. It is believed to have originated in the state of Texas in the 18th century, when Spanish settlers brought chili peppers to the region. The peppers were then combined with beef, beans, and other spices to create a hearty stew that was perfect for the hot Texas climate. There is, by the way, an Amish settlement in Texas at Beeville and some of these traditional dishes undergo "Amish stylization" there.
Chili quickly became a popular dish among the early Texas settlers, and it soon spread to other parts of the state. In the 19th century, chili stands began to appear in cities all over Texas, and the dish became a staple of the state's cuisine.
In the 20th century, chili became even more popular, and it began to be enjoyed all over the United States. Today, chili is a popular dish at sporting events, potlucks, and other gatherings. It is also a popular ingredient in many other dishes, such as chili dogs, chili cheese fries, and chili mac.
There are many different variations of Texas chili, but there are a few key ingredients that are common to all versions. These ingredients include ground beef, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Some versions of Texas chili also include beans, but this is not traditional. This Amish-style Texas chili not only has beans, but pork n' beans, and corn!
Texas chili is typically served hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, and avocado. It can also be served with cornbread, tortillas, or rice.
This is definitely "Amish style" Texas Chili, because corn is not typically a Texas chili ingredient, ditto for pork and beans.
When you brown the hamburger, this is where you can add some more flavor, like garlic cloves, black pepper, or some pasilla peppers. My parents are not people who like their chili with heat so they thought the recipe was fine as is.
The taco seasoning and ranch mix make this hamburger quite flavorful. Squeeze juice from a couple of lime wedges in also if that sounds good to you.
After you add the beans, you can add dried chiles, chop in some red onion. Everything is added together, a large stockpot , soup pot, or large dutch oven works well, and you let it simmer for hours. Stir occasionally.
You can use beef chuck, stew meat, or chuck roast instead of hamburger. Some versions of this call for scrapping beef altogether and using ground turkey for a Texas turkey chili, but that is your decision. Either way, this chili has lots of good proteins in it. Salt the chili to your taste. Simmer over medium-high heat at first and then turn down to low and just let it simmer for hours.
You can add some cheddar cheese to the chili and serve with corn chips, or spooned into a corn torilla and eaten. Lots of good ways to eat the chili. I like mine just in a bowl with a dollop of sour cream. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container.
🥣 More Amish Chili Recipes
🖨️ Full Recipe
Amish-Style Texas Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 package dry ranch dressing mix
- 3 cups water
- 1 large can stewed tomatoes
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 can pork n beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can dark red kidney beans
- 3 cans, creamed corn
Instructions
- Brown and sauté hamburger and onion.
- Add taco seasoning and dressing mix.
- Put hamburger mixture into a large stockpot.
- Then add water.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 2 – 3 hours.
JoAnn Rogers
I'm from Texas. This is closer to the Taco Soup recipe that I make. It has all the same ingredients except no other beans besides the pinto beans and the beans have jalapeno added and then the additional ingredient of a can of green chilies is included Texas chili doesn't usually have beans or taco seasoning or corn.
Kevin Williams
Interesting, JoAnn, it's always funny how a recipe gets passed around, renamed, etc!
Cam
I make chili and the recipe that was shown as Texas chili definitely is not Texas style chili. My recipe won 3rd place in a chili cook-off a few years ago. I use 100% chili powder, garlic, onions, good, lean ground beef, a minimum amount of cumin, beef broth, crushed tomatoes and my special addition, Logan Berries or Logan Berries Jam. It needs to simmer an hour or two. I thicken it with a slurry if needed and I let the diners add pepper themselves.
Kevin Williams
Wow, your chili sounds amazing, i need to stop by sometime!! (and, yes, the Amish-style version is definitely not traditional Texas chili)
Carrie Burr
I love chili and I will make this after I go grocery shopping on Wednesday. I hope this isn't too off topic, but can a 66-year-old widow find an Amish community to learn about and possibly join? Thank you🔥
Kevin Williams
Where are you located, Carrie? I know of several welcoming Amish settlements....