Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef
A robust chili featuring smoked beef chunks and a blend of bold spices inspired by South Texas flavors, perfect for a hearty meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 105 minutes pairs pounds smoked beef chuck, cubed, tablespoons olive oil, medium yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds smoked beef chuck, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 pounds smoked beef chuck cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes, turning to brown all sides until edges are caramelized. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small finely chopped jalapeño; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; toast spices for 30 seconds to release aroma.
- Step 4: Add 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice and 2 cups beef broth; bring mixture to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return the smoked beef chunks to the pot, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 cup drained canned kidney beans and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until the chili thickens and beans are heated through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for brightness before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Texas Hill Country Chili with Smoked Beef?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
