Secret Recipe Chili

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SERVES: 6

COOK TIME: 1 Hr 15 Min

We all know that in Texas, chili is king. So, when the Goode Company Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Houston decided to share their Secret Recipe Chili with us, you can bet we were over the moon. Now that you've got the recipe, we hope your gang brings the appetite!

What You'll Need

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (see Notes)
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 1/2 pounds top sirloin beef, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 1/2 pounds lean pork butt, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups beef broth
1/3 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons masa harina (see Notes)

What to Do

In a soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in beef, pork, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until meat is browned.
Stir in beef broth, chili powder, and oregano; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer. Add the masa harina; stir well.
Cover and continue to simmer over low heat 1 hour, or until meat is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.

Recipe courtesy of Goode Company Bar-B-Q, Houston, Texas

If you would like a smokier taste, substitute 3 tablespoons bacon drippings for vegetable oil. And you should find masa harina near the cornmeal in your local supermarket; if you'd prefer, you can use fine cornmeal as a substitute.
Check out another great recipe we discovered in Texas: Texas Chicken Fried Steak
If you enjoyed these recipes, you'll surely want to download our free eCookbook, World's Best Chili Recipes: 21 Easy Chili Recipes Everyone Will Love.

Notes

Make sure you pair your chili with a side of cornbread! We've got some good ones in our collection of 10 Simple Cornbread Recipes.
Plus, check out more easy chili recipes in our free eCookbook, World's Best Chili Recipes: 21 Easy Chili Recipes Everyone Will Love.

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fredhomer 9960735

Aug 10, 2015

Why are there two recipes? CHILI and CHILI con CARNE which means CHILI WITH MEAT.Whats in the other CHILI?

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cardzetc

Jan 19, 2015

I am a native decendant, and I see in the ratings that a Texan is taking credit for Texas making the first chili, well all I can say is shove that longhorn. Chili has been around since before the spanish came to this country. Indians made a chili long before anyone was making it in Texas. Lets get the story straight for once. Chili is a dish that has been made for many hundreds of years, with different names from different regions. The reason it got the name of chili here is because, there are chili's in the pot. Chili's existed in the USA long before we were invaded. Chili was just something we made to add to the last few scraps of meat to feed more people, we added anything that was available, usually roots, catus, etc. We would also add many small animal meats that we could, chili's were added to help add flavor to the dried meats, that had lost their flavor over time. Chili is a long evolving dish that has settled to be what you see today, beans, no beans, but always with what anyone would concider a good ingredient to add, and that is about as true a chili as anyone would want. Don't be afraid to make your chili the way you like it, experiment, we did, there is no wrong way to make chili, and there is no only way to make chili, but don't forget the chili's, not just chili powder.

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cindywilsey 8277665

Jul 15, 2017

Thank you for your comment. The same sort of nonsense is to be found in Canada with regard to bannock. I am forever reminding folks that just because a food in Europe had a particular name it doesn't mean that North American people didn't have something similar before the Europeans arrived. They may not have used cultivated wheat, but they did use a starch to make a flat bread (quite possibly acorn flour). Most cultures have a recipe for a flat bread. Similarly, most cultures have recipes for highly seasoned meats that use leftover or lesser meat cuts or alternatives to meat such as beans. Sadly, contemporary society lacks the immagination of our ancestors to make do with what is available have become convinced there is always only one way to do a thing.

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Chef Boy R Me

Dec 05, 2014

Note This recipe is NOT for Texas Chili, it is for the Goode Company Bar-B-Q Restaurant Chili. There is a difference.

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JRP

Nov 11, 2021

It's definitely Texas chili says this San Antonian.

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f46redtx 3917499

Sep 12, 2014

Well, I wish I could go back and spell check my last comment. I wanted to add, there was no Chili Society when chili was "invented." So make it the way you like it.

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f46redtx 3917499

Sep 12, 2014

I try this recipe, altered. For the folks re: Texas chili having no beans, Texas chili came around in the mid-1800s. If they had beans, then the chili had beans. Very seldom did it have tomatoes, because they are seasonal and they did not plant gardens while on the cattle trail. Whatever they had on hand is what went in the chili. And I am Texas born, Texas raised, resident Texan. Just a note, I like beans in my chili. Usually I put red kidney beans. Everybody do your on research, but chili started in Texas, and beans were not omitted if they had any.

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mhurtchilli 6772472

Jan 15, 2014

As per the International Chili Society: Traditional Red Chili is defined by the International Chili Society as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, with the exception of BEANS and PASTA which are strictly forbidden.

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Bellerophon

Dec 05, 2014

Better be careful, all you chili cooks! The kitchen police from CASI, the Chili Appreciation Society International, will get you if you don't watch out!

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dmatthews109 1363046

Jan 15, 2014

I respect Texans but LOVE beans in my Chili! Even on a chili dog with the leftovers the beans are great. I usually use a combo of pinto, usually homemade cause I make them alot. If not I use canned pintos, kidney and or black beans or often all 3! This sounds good!

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ldmff

Dec 10, 2013

I'm just the opposite of Texas chili, I use ground turkey, a cornucopia of spices and hold on you Texans, I add pinto, black bean, kidney (light or dark). Up north here on the western plains chili ain't chili til ya add the beans. So go ahead n' try commandeering my trusty Ol' crock pot and I'll bean ya with my wooden spoon. Bon Appetite, Adios n' Hasta La Bye Bye!

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Goodcookie

Jan 19, 2015

I love my chili and I have beans in it but several people don't like beans because I didn't used to like beans in mine but now I wouldn't make it any other way if it's chili it has to have beans in it no doubt about it I Love My Chili And There's a chili cookoff at our church Sunday so I will enter my chili 3 I hope I win yehawww !!!

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larrylike 9779057

Nov 23, 2013

OK Texans If you were gonna put beans in it. which ones would you use?

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Chef Boy R Me

Dec 05, 2014

As Justin Wilson used to say, "The kind you like!"

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lala1941jan 4234989

Dec 17, 2012

Can we do this in a slow cooker????? Don't see why not????

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Trout

Oct 27, 2012

Loved it and so easy to make. Where's the beans? :)

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Good Ole Boy

Jan 19, 2013

True Texas Chili does not have beans...just tiny chunks of meat, chili's, spices & seasonings, broth, tomatoes, mesa, onions, garlic and peppers...that's it

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jp007

Oct 22, 2012

Real and true Texas Chili has got NO BEANS! lol

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soloman

Oct 18, 2012

Oh in this recipe is 1/3 cup of chili powder right? Is it due to the broth? Still learning here.

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gwadsworth1 4482642

Oct 18, 2012

Looks great. Never thought of chili having cubed pork in it. Don't believe I've ever had chili w/o beans and tomatoes either. Texans obviously go for the meat. Love Texas style beef brisket. Guess I haven't lived right never making it to Texas. I need lessons in making good hand-made tortillas from the masa too. Fresh ones are the best.

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bault7 9930910

Oct 18, 2012

what is masa harina

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HappyRedhead

Oct 18, 2012

Masa Harina Flour is used to make authentic Mexican tortillas. It is made from corn soaked in lime then dried before grinding. Available in Golden or White.

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Chef Boy R Me

Jan 18, 2013

It is used in this recipe as a thickening agent.

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david945 3747250

Oct 18, 2012

Great site! Might need to add a little heat to this "chili" recipe.

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gypse60 3589720

Aug 07, 2012

this is as close to my father in laws chili i have ever seen hes been gone 40 years now but every one loved his texas chili im gonna try this and put it on spaghetti thank you so much

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mcleantj

Jun 02, 2012

Great recipe, thanks!

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lala1941jan 4234989

Nov 21, 2011

WOW,, never met a chili minus the tomatoes. But I'll try before rating, thanks. ps, I don't have a problem with the website either.

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bonitageri 7821379

Nov 21, 2011

I agree.. this has got to be one of the easiest websites to navigate!

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raabr 2651254

Oct 26, 2011

Where's the cayenne or other hot pepper?

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tathibodeaux 5590708

Oct 23, 2011

Jeronimo Dan, If navigating this web site is difficult for you, I can only imagine the confusion you experience when you try to answer an incoming call on your telephone. I suggest you get a tutor to help you learn how to use the Internet.

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