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Texas Chili

This Texas Chili is foolproof, tasty, simple to make and rich in flavors. Made with a chili paste which takes this chili recipe to another level. You can be sure once you’ve served this to your family everyone will happily eat it, and no one would ever taste it is vegan.

A large pan of the Texas Chili in a frying pan, garnished with vegan sour cream, vegan cheddar and cilantro.

To me, there isn’t anything more comforting than vegetarian chili recipes like my Chili Beans Recipe, the Instant Pot Chili, the One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, or the Vegetarian White Chili.

Budget friendly, filling, and hearty these are keeper recipes that the whole family will always enjoy.

If you are looking for more Chili Recipes, use the search bar and keep your cravings going.

Ingredients needed for the Texas Chili on a wooden board.

What makes Texas Chili different?

My recipe for a Texas Chili is truly unique compared to the other ones. 

What sets it apart is that this does not have any beans or vegetables.

The beauty of this dish is that it is made out of its flavors: basically you find meat (here vegan ground beef) and a thick flavored chili paste which provides both texture and taste.

Making the homemade chili paste in a food processor.

Why this is the best Texas Chili recipe

But is is not only the flavors and texture that sets this chili apart. It is also so easy to make with just simple ingredients that you may already have in stock in your kitchen.

It will get as easy as it can be with step by step pictures. So you know exactly what’s coming next and why, and how you get a result that you can always count on.

Also this is a super versatile dish. You can enjoy it plain, but is is also delicious over rice, pasta and so much more.

Frying the chopped onions and the vegan ground beef for the Texas Chili.

What’s in this Chili paste

The one main ingredient that makes this recipe stand out is its homemade Chili paste. All you need to have is a food processor and the following ingredients:

  • vegetable oil
  • garlic
  • chilis
  • chili powder

 

  • oregano
  • tomato paste
  • cumin
  • crushed paprika

Mixing the chili paste with the ground beef in a pan.

What you need for this Texas Chili

Besides the homemade paste,  you will need to make sure you have the following ingredients:

  • vegan ground beef
  • vegetable oil
  • onions
  • white vinegar
  • crushed tomatoes

Vegan Texas Chili simmering in a large pan.

Adding a touch of vinegar to the meat mixture.

How to make Texas Chili

Prepare the homemade Chili Paste

Head over to a food processor. Add chili, garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, tomato paste, 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper, then process everything until it forms a smooth paste. Set aside.

Making the Texas Chili

Next, heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a pan or casserole. Fry onions for around 3 minutes, then add vegan ground beef. Fry for around 4 minutes more.

Now give the prepared chili paste, crushed tomatoes, and white vinegar to the pan. Let simmer on medium heat for 7 minutes more.

Finally serve on plates or in bowls, enjoy.

Top view on a pan with the Texas Chili.

Leftovers can be stored for around 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

So this is handy for meal prep or big batch cooking of course.

Can I freeze Texas chili?

Yes, just make sure to freeze individual portions in freezer bags or choose a large container just the way you like. Frozen, this will last for 6 months.

Dipping a nacho chip into the Texas Chili.

Variations and serving options:

I love this with my Easy Jalapeno Cornbread.

Add bell pepper or beans. Simply mash up some kidney or black beans with a fork, it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Serve with rice, quinoa, or pasta

Collage of two pictures of the vegan Texas Chili with recipe title text.

If you try this Texas Chili at home tag me on Instagram or Facebook, show off all your remakes with a picture.

Cheers, Florian

Top view on a pan with the Texas Chili.

Texas Chili

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This Texas Chili is foolproof, tasty, simple to make and rich in flavors. Made with a chili paste which takes this chili recipe to another level. You can be sure once you've served this to your family everyone will happily eat it, and no one would ever taste it is vegan.

Ingredients

For the chili paste

  • 5 oz tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 7 oz chilis drained
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp crushed paprika
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • salt, pepper to taste

For the Chili

  • 1 lb vegan ground beef
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup onions, roughly chopped
  • 7 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp white vinegar
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

To make the Chili Paste

  1. Head over to a food processor. Add chili, garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, tomato paste, 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper, then process everything until it forms a smooth paste. Set aside.

To make the Chili

  1. Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a pan or casserole. Fry onions for around 3 minutes, then add vegan ground beef. Fry for around 4 minutes more.
  2. Now give the prepared chili paste, crushed tomatoes, and white vinegar to the pan. Let simmer on medium heat for 7 minutes more.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 870mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 21g
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