Spice up your meals for all to enjoy!

Lone Star Chili
Lone Star Chili

Spice up your meals for all to enjoy!

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Let's make some fresh and quick chili!

Nearly everyone loves chili, and it’s almost as easy to make as putting bread in a toaster—just toss the ingredients together, let them simmer, and you’ve got a hearty, delicious meal with minimal effort. 

Whether you like it spicy, smoky, meaty, or loaded with beans, chili is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for almost any occasion. And while canned or prepared chili can be convenient, the freshest chili is right on your stovetop, where it can simmer to perfection and fill your kitchen with that irresistible homemade aroma. 

Steps for Making Thick Chili

#1 Brown base

#3 Add spices/veggies

#2 Add 3-Way Salsa

Start with a pound (16 oz.). Some prefer two pounds.  One tbsp. cooking oil.  One small chopped onion is optional.

#2 Add 3-Way Salsa

#3 Add spices/veggies

#2 Add 3-Way Salsa

Pour in one jar of 3-Way Salsa you prefer.  Stir thoroughly.

#3 Add spices/veggies

#3 Add spices/veggies

#4 Add liquid & simmer

Add items to flavor the chili more.  Spices, veggies, masa harina, etc.

#4 Add liquid & simmer

#4 Add liquid & simmer

#4 Add liquid & simmer

Pour in 16 oz. of preferred liquid.  This will evaporate over time.  Add more liquid as needed for preferred consistency.

#5 Toppings of choice

#4 Add liquid & simmer

#5 Toppings of choice

Toppings always enhances chili bowls.  Look at the list below and experiment!

#6 Enjoy!

#4 Add liquid & simmer

#5 Toppings of choice

Who doesn't love chili?  It's great on just about everything!

Hacks to thicken your chili

Add refried beans

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

This is a great way to add flavor and thickness.  If someone is persnickety about beans... they'll never know!

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

Start of with small measurement and add slowly.  Works like a sponge soaking up those liquids.

Add tomato paste

Add Masa Harina or Cornmeal

Add crackers or cornbread

Works and blends well.  A tablespoon or two will do.

Add crackers or cornbread

Add crackers or cornbread

Add crackers or cornbread

Crush or crumble either item and your chili will surely thicken.

Add cornstarch or flour

Add crackers or cornbread

Add cornstarch or flour

Mix a couple of tablespoons with water to make a slurry.  Once lumps are out, pour into the chili pot that's cooking.

Add beans or veggies

Add crackers or cornbread

Add cornstarch or flour

Your chili will from thick to hearty with these staples.

Simmer longer

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Low and slow help thicken chili, if not in a hurry.

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Make a slurry by adding water in a cup, then pour into chili pot.

Add corn chips or tortillas

Add unflavored arrowroot powder

Add corn chips or tortillas

Crush the chips.  Dice the tortillas.  Great way to make it thicker.

Add shredded cheese

Add shredded cheese

Add corn chips or tortillas

Cheese will add a creamy texture while thickening your chili.  Taste great too!

Cook with lid off

Add shredded cheese

Cook with lid off

Liquids evaporate if not covered.  Give it a try!

Add raw oatmeal

Add shredded cheese

Cook with lid off

A great thickener that does not affect taste.

Step for making chili sauce

  1. Brown meat and break up with a potato masher or similar kitchen tool.  Meat needs to be in tiny pieces.
  2. Add one jar of 3-Way Salsa flavor/heat preferred
  3. Skip Add-Ins except chili seasoning
  4. Use beef broth or water or beer, etc. for liquid
  5. Make sauce a thin consistency that's easy to spread

The base for making chili

Red Meat options for Chili

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

  • Ground beef — classic, easy, and flavorful 
  • Ground chuck (80/20) — richer and juicier than lean ground beef 
  • Beef brisket — excellent for a slow-cooked, hearty chili 
  • Beef chuck roast — cut into small cubes for chunky chili 
  • Short rib — very rich and tender when braised 
  • Steak — sirloin, ribeye, or round, diced into bite-size pieces 
  • Ground bison — leaner, with a slightly sweeter, deeper flavor 
  • Ground venison — very lean and gamey; great with beef mixed in 
  • Ground lamb — richer and more distinctive; works well with smoky/spicy chili 
  • Ground pork — technically not usually classified as red meat nutritionally, but commonly used in chili for extra richness

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

  • Chicken breast 
  • Chicken thighs 
  • Ground chicken 
  • Turkey breast 
  • Ground turkey 
  • Turkey thighs 
  • Pork loin 
  • Pork shoulder 
  • Ground pork 
  • Duck 
  • Shrimp 
  • White fish (cod, haddock, pollock) 
  • Halibut 
  • Mahi-mahi 
  • Tilapia 
  • Sea bass 
  • Snapper 
  • Swordfish 
  • Scallops 
  • Crab 
  • Lobster 
  • Clams 
  • Mussels 
  • Squid/calamari 
  • Salmon (not white meat, but works well in seafood chili) 
  • Tuna (also not white meat, but can work)

Vegetable options for Chili

White Meat/Seafood options for Chili

Vegetable options for Chili

  • Yellow onion 
  • Red onion 
  • White onion 
  • Garlic 
  • Green bell pepper 
  • Red bell pepper 
  • Yellow bell pepper 
  • Orange bell pepper 
  • Poblano peppers 
  • Anaheim peppers 
  • Jalapeños 
  • Serrano peppers 
  • Habanero peppers 
  • Green chiles 
  • Tomatillos 
  • Tomatoes 
  • Corn 
  • Carrots 
  • Celery 
  • Zucchini 
  • Yellow squash 
  • Sweet potatoes 
  • Butternut squash 
  • Pumpkin 
  • Mushrooms 
  • Spinach 
  • Kale 
  • Cabbage 
  • White beans
  • Black beans
  • Pinto beans
  • Black-eyed peas

List of Add Ins options for your chili

  • Diced onions 
  • Minced garlic 
  • Bell peppers 
  • Jalapeños 
  • Green chiles 
  • Diced tomatoes 
  • Tomato paste 
  • Kidney beans 
  • Black beans 
  • Pinto beans 
  • Corn 
  • Bacon 
  • Chorizo 
  • Chili seasoning (has all chili spices included)
  • Cocoa powder or dark chocolate 
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo 
  • Hot sauce 
  • Worcestershire sauce 
  • Beef or chicken broth 
  • Brown sugar or maple syrup 
  • Lime juice 
  • Shredded cheddar cheese 
  • Sour cream 
  • Avocado 
  • Mustard (yellow or ground)
  • Cilantro 
  • Green onions 
  • Masa Harina
  • Crushed Saltine Crackers

List of liquid options for your chili

  • Beef or chicken broth — adds savory depth 
  • Beer — especially a lager, amber, or stout 
  • Tomato sauce — richer tomato flavor 
  • Diced tomatoes with their juices — adds liquid and texture 
  • Tomato juice — boosts tomato flavor without making it too thick 
  • Water — simple, neutral option 
  • Coffee — a small amount adds deep, roasted flavor 
  • Red wine — great for beef chili 
  • Apple cider — adds subtle sweetness 
  • Worcestershire sauce — concentrated savory/umami flavor; use a little 
  • Hot sauce — for heat and acidity 
  • Pickled jalapeño juice — spicy, tangy, and surprisingly good 
  • Soy sauce — adds umami; use sparingly 
  • Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper — a little can add sweetness and caramel notes

List of topping options for your chili

  • Shredded cheddar cheese 
  • Monterey Jack cheese 
  • Sour cream 
  • Greek yogurt 
  • Diced avocado 
  • Chopped green onions 
  • Fresh cilantro 
  • Diced jalapeños 
  • Sliced fresh or pickled peppers 
  • Diced red onion 
  • Crushed tortilla chips 
  • Corn chips 
  • Fritos 
  • Crispy bacon 
  • Chopped tomatoes 
  • Sliced black olives 
  • Corn 
  • Lime wedges 
  • Hot sauce 
  • Salsa or pico de gallo 
  • Guacamole 
  • Pickled onions 
  • Fresh corn 
  • Cornbread on the side
  • Oyster crackers 
  • Chopped fresh parsley

14 flavors with levels of heat

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