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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
