Texas Nurse's Chili
A rich, slow-cooked chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and a perfect spice blend, embodying Texas tradition. This american-inspired mexican ready in about 80 minutes pairs Ground beef, large, diced Onion, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lb Ground beef
- 1 large, diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 3 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 can (14 oz) Diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained Kidney beans
- 1 1/2 cups Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb ground beef for 5 minutes, breaking into crumbles, then add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 4 more minutes until onion is translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can drained kidney beans, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to deepen flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Texas Nurse's Chili take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 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 Texas Nurse's Chili?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Texas Nurse's Chili?
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 Texas Nurse's Chili 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 Texas Nurse's Chili?
American mexican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
