The first crisp evening of autumn always brings a special craving to our home. For me, Emilia, a mom of three who pours love into every meal, that craving is for a big, comforting pot of chili. One year, after a particularly wild soccer practice, my kids practically demanded something hearty and warming.
That’s when I perfected my recipe for this incredible Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili. The aroma alone, a blend of earthy spices and rich tomatoes, instantly makes everyone feel at home. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a bowl of warmth, a hug from the inside out, and quite frankly, the best spicy Tex-Mex chili we’ve ever had. We now look forward to this ultimate slow-simmered chili, a true family favorite for a reason!
Table of Contents
Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Emilia's Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili is a cherished family recipe, known for its deep, comforting flavors achieved through slow cooking. This easy-to-prepare dish features a rich blend of earthy spices, tomatoes, and beans, making it a perfect, warming meal that feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
2 lbs Ground Beef (80/20)
1 large Yellow Onio
4 cloves Garlic
1 28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes
1 15 oz can Kidney Beans
1 15 oz can Pinto Beans
2 cups Beef Broth
3 tbsp Chili Powder
2 tbsp Cumi
1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Dried Oregano
½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 Jalapeño (optional)
Instructions
- Brown your ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for one minute until fragrant
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth
- Add the rinsed kidney beans and pinto beans, and the minced jalapeño if using. Stir everything together
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low
- Cover the pot and let your chili gently simmer for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving
Notes
Use good quality beef for the best flavor.
Don't rush the simmering process; patience creates deeper, more complex flavors.
Toast spices with onions and garlic for about a minute to awaken their aroma.
A squeeze of lime juice right before serving can brighten the flavors beautifully.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Chili freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add broth or water if too thick.
Can be made in a slow cooker: brown beef, onion, and garlic, then transfer to slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
To make it less spicy, omit cayenne pepper and jalapeño, and use a milder chili powder.
Consider ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version, or omit meat and add extra beans (like black beans) and vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini) for a vegetarian option.
Adjust spice level to taste by adding more cayenne or a second jalapeño, or reducing it for a milder chili.
For richer flavor, add a splash of your favorite beer or a square of dark chocolate during simmering.
Feel free to add other vegetables like diced bell peppers, corn, or fire-roasted tomatoes.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, sliced jalapeños, warm cornbread, tortilla chips, a simple green salad, or over a baked potato.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Simmering
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 35g
Keywords: chili, Tex-Mex, spicy, slow-simmered, hearty, comfort food, beef, beans, family favorite, dinner
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You need this Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili in your life! This isn’t just any chili; it’s a revelation. First, it’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
You just brown some meat, toss everything into a pot, and let your stove do the work. Moreover, the slow simmering allows all those incredible Tex-Mex flavors to meld beautifully. You get deep, complex notes that a quick chili just can’t achieve.
Plus, this spicy Tex-mex chili feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day. It’s nourishing, satisfying, and totally customizable to your family’s spice preferences. This hearty chili truly delivers comfort in every single bite.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef (80/20) | 2 lbs |
| Yellow Onion | 1 large, chopped |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced |
| Crushed Tomatoes | 1 (28 oz) can |
| Diced Tomatoes | 1 (14.5 oz) can, undrained |
| Kidney Beans | 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed & drained |
| Pinto Beans | 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed & drained |
| Beef Broth | 2 cups |
| Chili Powder | 3 tbsp |
| Cumin | 2 tbsp |
| Smoked Paprika | 1 tbsp |
| Dried Oregano | 1 tsp |
| Cayenne Pepper | ½ tsp (or more to taste) |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black Pepper | ½ tsp |
| Jalapeño | 1, seeded & minced (optional) |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
This Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili is wonderfully adaptable. Feeling like chicken? Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef for a lighter version of this spicy Tex-Mex chili.
For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and add an extra can of beans, perhaps black beans, and more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. You can adjust the spice level easily; add more cayenne or a second jalapeño for extra kick, or reduce it for a milder slow-simmered chili.
Consider adding a splash of your favorite beer or a square of dark chocolate during simmering for an even deeper, richer flavor profile in your Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili. Experiment and make this Tex-Mex chili your own!
Just like this versatile chili, many hearty recipes can be adapted to suit various dietary needs or preferences, offering warmth and flavor. If you’re looking for another comforting dish that’s easy to customize with plenty of vegetables, consider our Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Making this incredible Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili is straightforward. You will love how easy it is! First, brown your ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Drain any excess fat. Then, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
Next, stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for one minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth.
Add the rinsed kidney beans and pinto beans, and the minced jalapeño if using. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pot and let your Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili gently simmer for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours. Stir occasionally. This long, slow cook creates the most flavorful spicy Tex-Mex chili.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving. Your delicious slow-simmered chili is ready!
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
For the best Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili, use good quality beef. Don’t rush the simmering process; patience truly pays off with this slow-simmered chili. A longer simmer means deeper, more complex flavors.
Toast your spices in the pot with the onions and garlic for about a minute; this truly awakens their aroma and enhances the overall flavor of your spicy Tex-Mex chili. Always taste your chili before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, or heat as needed. A squeeze of lime juice right before serving can brighten the flavors of this hearty chili beautifully. Trust me, these small steps elevate your Tex-Mex chili to new heights!
The secret to truly deep, complex flavors often lies in patient, slow cooking, allowing ingredients to meld into a rich and satisfying dish. For another incredibly hearty and flavorful meal that benefits from a leisurely simmer, you won’t want to miss our Easy Slow Cooker Amish Corn Chowder.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
This Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili tastes even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This spicy Tex-Mex chili also freezes beautifully.
You can freeze it in individual portions or larger containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Then, gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
You can also microwave individual servings of this slow-simmered chili. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. Enjoy your delicious Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili again and again!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
This Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili pairs wonderfully with so many toppings and sides. Classic toppings for this spicy Tex-Mex chili include shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, or sliced jalapeños. A side of warm cornbread is absolutely essential for soaking up all that flavorful broth from your slow-simmered chili.
We also love serving it with tortilla chips for scooping, or even a simple green salad to balance the richness. For a complete meal, try a baked potato loaded with this incredible Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili. The possibilities are endless!
Complementing a rich, slow-simmered dish with the perfect toppings and sides truly elevates the dining experience, making it feel complete and utterly comforting. If you appreciate the simplicity and warmth of a well-made, hearty accompaniment, our guide to Mastering Delicious, Hearty Soup Beans offers another fantastic option.
FAQS
Can I make this Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili in a slow cooker?
Yes, absolutely! Brown the beef, onion, and garlic first. Then, transfer everything to your slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This creates an equally delicious Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili.
How can I make this Tex-Mex chili less spicy?
To reduce the heat in this spicy Tex-Mex chili, simply omit the cayenne pepper and the jalapeño. You can also use a milder chili powder. Your Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili will still be incredibly flavorful!
Is this slow-simmered chili gluten-free?
Yes, this Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili recipe is naturally gluten-free. Always check your beef broth and spice labels to ensure no hidden gluten.
Can I add other vegetables to this hearty chili?
Of course! Feel free to add diced bell peppers, corn, or even a can of fire-roasted tomatoes to your Hearty Slow-Simmered Spicy Tex-Mex Chili for extra flavor and nutrients. This makes for an even heartier slow-simmered chili.
Hearty slow-simmered spicy Tex-Mex chili, a staple in many kitchens, exemplifies the rich fusion of culinary traditions from Texas and Mexico. This comforting dish, often featuring meat, beans, and a blend of spices, is a beloved variation of chili con carne, a dish with deep roots in Southwestern American cuisine.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 35g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Fiber | 10g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Sodium | 850mg |