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Texas Brisket Chili Recipe

A bowl of Texas brisket chili

This award winning recipe for Texas Brisket Chili has been in my family for 4 generations, and was served at all of my grandparent’s north Texas cafe’s and drive ins in the 60’s.

Funny that I didn’t realize it was something special until I posted a bowl of it on Instagram and my phone blew up with messages asking how to make it. 😀

This is a bean free chili recipe, and what many would say to be authentic Texas chili, (though every Texan has walked a different path and I find all the recipes to be valid with a hint of the region of Texas that you grew up in).

I’ve won 4 chili cook-offs with this recipe, AND 3 other people have emailed me letting me know they won chili cook-offs with this recipe too, so you know its gonna go down like a fat kid on a see-saw. 😀

But if you’re not into all that hoopla, it’s just as good shared with friends or family, and can even be finished off in a slow cooker while you go about your daily errands.

A beautiful bowl of texas brisket chili and cheese

So today we’ll be learning how to make brisket chili, with step by step instructions and photos, that will help you understand what is crucial in each portion of the recipe.

(For example, searing and seasoning the meat develops a rich, brown crust which will slowly melt back into your pot of chili. I’ll help you work through how to do that in photos.)

This chili may not be that different from your own favorite recipe— except when it comes to the meat. This is a beef brisket chili recipe.

For Texas style brisket chili, I look for a brisket on the smaller side (9-10 lbs.) or I purchase a brisket flat when the grocery store sells split briskets. (See my doodles below for an illustration.)

An unopened brisket - 9 pounds

For this recipe, I only use the flat of the brisket and save the point for smoking brisket for my Brisket Deviled Eggs with Candied Jalapeno, or topping on my Brisket Queso. It’s easy to freeze that brisket point and pull it out when you are doing some smoked meats and just add it along to your barbecue. So, for this recipe I will clean and trim the brisket, AND THEN separate the flat from the point as shown below.

⇒ Click here for my tutorial for cleaning and trimming brisket.

Brisket anatomy - Where the point and the flat are on the brisket

After it’s been cleaned up and trimmed, I just cut it right in half and wrap and store the brisket point in my freezer for later in the week.

Now we can cut the flat into 1/4 inch cubes like this. I toss them liberally in kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, the same seasonings I use to sear steak.

A bowl of brisket cubes

Meanwhile, fry 4 pieces of bacon in a heavy bottomed stock pot, le creuset, or dutch oven. Remove to a plate to cool the bacon, but leave the bacon fat in the pot. Bacon fat is crucial to the savory flavor in any Texas chili with brisket, as it adds a smokey richness and depth to the final chili.

bacon in a chili pot

SEARING THE BRISKET CUBES:

In small batches, over medium high heat, sear the brisket cubes in the bacon fat… sprinkle with additional salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add additional cooking oil or bacon grease when necessary (when the pan gets dry between batches) from whatever you have in the pantry. Just make sure whatever oil you use is safe for high heat so think safflower, sunflower or peanut oil, not extra virgin olive oil.

The brisket cubes need space to brown so they must be seared in batches, otherwise they will weep moisture all over each other and the liquid will prevent browning. This is the most important step. Think of every little morsel as a steak that would be best with that nice brown crust around it!

Give them space and time as they are creating the  primary flavor foundation for the chili.

Brisket cubes searing for chili

All of the seared brisket cubes reserved after cooking…

Brisket cubes, seared and brown

Making the Base of the Brisket Chili:

Now begin to add the onion, garlic, and spices.

Here is the second most important tip: Make sure to use only Texas chili powders like Gebhardt’s or Mexene for the best, most authentic, Tex Mex flavor. Gebhardt’s and Mexene are Texas chili powders with recipes that are over 100 years old, incredibly smooth and flavorful, they have overcome the test of time. If you can’t get them in time for your chili you must have a Texas style chili powder of some kind.

Note: I’ve tried making my own chili powder and hated it! After you make homemade chili powder and do a taste test it’s never as robust as the brands I listed above. Do what you want but keep in mind Texas chili powders have other ingredients like cumin, and mexican oregano in them, so standard chile powder (fine ground chiles), is technically not the same thing. 

Onions and spices in the pot of brisket chili

Add back in the seared brisket cubes, crumbled bacon, beef stock, strong coffee, and one can of whole tomatoes which you crush up in your palms before adding to the pot.

Pot of chili beginning to cook

And now we cover and wait 🙂 This brisket chili simmers 4-5 hours before the brisket and tomatoes melt into the broth. At hour 3-4 the brisket will be tender, but it’s not really done until the brisket has completely fallen apart in the chili.

You may need to add additional water, and stir to prevent the bottom from browning, depending on what kind of pot you are using.

I stir mine every 25-30 minutes and usually cook this in my le creuset pot, which insulates well from hot spots on the stove. Please modify for your particular pot so your chili doesn’t burn on the bottom.

You can top brisket chili with cheddar cheese, monterey jack, and any mexican cheese you like such as queso fresco, cotija, and grated quesadilla cheese. I also add chopped cilantro and put out crema (it’s like sour cream) and Fritos for my family.

As you have no doubt realized by now, this brisket chili makes a wicked frito pie, so save your leftovers.

Got questions? I’m right below in the comments eager to help!

Have questions? Need help? Have an addition or a suggestion to a recipe? Drop me a comment below!

If you make this recipe, I would LOVE to see it!

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Yield: Serves 12 or more

Texas Brisket Chili Recipe

A bowl of Texas brisket chili
4.6 Stars (315 Reviews)

This authentic Texas chili recipe has won over 30 blue ribbons & trophies at Chili Cookoffs throughout the country! This iconic brisket chili recipe was served at my Grandparent's cafes since the 1950s and now I want to share it with your family!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 slices thick cut bacon
  • 3-4 lb. beef brisket, trimmed
  • NOTE: (I use the brisket flat, as opposed to the point. Check out my tutorial on brisket trimming for help understanding which side to use, and how to trim your brisket. Also, occasionally you can buy half briskets at the market. Check with your butcher.)
  • Kosher salt, pepper, onion powder – for liberally sprinkling on the meat while browning.
  • 2 c. white onion, small diced (one large onion)
  • 5 garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press
  • 1 T paprika
  • 1 T. cumin powder
  • 3 ½ T Texas chili powder, such as Mexene or Gebhardt’s
  • ½ t. dried thyme
  • ½ t. chipotle chile powder
  • ½ t. salt
  • 1 quart beef broth
  • ½ c. strong black coffee (you can save this from your morning coffee)
  • 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, in juice
  • Garnish: Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated. White onion, fritos, tabasco sauce, and jalapenos.

Hands Free Mode:

Prevent screen from sleeping

Instructions

  1. For the brisket, clean and trim the brisket. You will only need 3-4 lbs. Cube the brisket into small ¼” cubes. Reserve the brisket point for another meal.
  2. In a large stockpot, cook 4 pieces of bacon until crispy. Remove from pan and set aside until later.
  3. Increase the heat to medium-high. In the bacon fat, brown the brisket cubes in 3 batches making sure not to crowd the pan. You want to develop as much browning on the cubes as possible and browning in 3 batches will ensure that moisture coming from the meat won’t crowd the pan and prohibit the browning process.
  4. Season liberally with salt, pepper, and onion powder while browning to season the meat.
  5. Remove the previous batch to a bowl before starting on the next batch. You can add additional cooking oil if you need to. Cook all 3 batches and reserve.
  6. In the same pot, add the diced white onion and stir in a pinch of salt. Cook down, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the brown bits and brown the onion. Reduce the heat if necessary to cook the onion down and slightly caramelize it.
  7. Add in all of the spices and stir into the onions. Cook 2 minutes.
  8. Add the pressed garlic and stir. Cook 1 minute.
  9. Add the seared meat back into the pan. Add the coffee and 2 c. of the beef broth. Stir well.
  10. Open the tomatoes, and using your hands, break them up as you add them to the pan. Add tomato juice to the pan.
  11. Stir well and crumble in the bacon. Place the lid back on the pot and cook over low-medium (simmer gently) for 2 ½ - 3 hours. Add the additional 2 c. beef broth as necessary.
  12. Finish off with fresh tabasco pepper sauce if desired.
  13. Serve topped with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, freshly minced white onion, and Frito chips.

Notes

This chili can be made in the Instapot! Follow all of the instructions up to the simmering. The chili at this point can be placed in the Instapot and cooked 1.5 hours. To further break up the meat I use an immersion blender to blend it into a rich and thick chili.

Did you make this? Tell us about it!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1436Total Fat: 89gSaturated Fat: 35gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 496mgSodium: 858mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 138g

These nutritional values are an estimate only and provided as a courtesy. Different brands of ingredients may result in different calorie counts, and the software does not account for these differences. Consult with your dietician or doctor for precise nutritional values.

Comments & Reviews

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271 Comments

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Diane

August 6, 2024 at 02:45 PM

This is our “go-to” chili recipe. Thank you Sarah! We have made it dozens of times. Love it!!!

If you make it exactly like the recipe calls for it will be absolutely delicious. However, over the years we have slightly tweaked it for our own taste.

First of all most of the time we substitute chuck for brisket. Just as rich and chuck is usually easier to find than brisket. If we are going to buy a brisket we will prefer to smoke it and use chuck for chili.

We usually add a little Mexican oregano to the spice mix. While simmering we add a couple of bay leaves. We will also add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar near the end of the cook. Just about anytime we fix any Tex Mex dish like this we will add an envelope or two of Goya Sazon seasoning.

On occasion we have added beer for the liquid and it is good. We go a little easier on the garlic than the recipe calls for.

My husband likes it without beans like the recipe calls for but I like to put in a couple cans of kidney beans but being from Indiana I can’t help myself.

Once I used hamburger for the meat but I don’t recommend it.

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Jonathan

July 28, 2024 at 11:34 AM

Yay!Just won 1st place in a company chili cook off with this awesome recipe here in Texas! Made it exactly as your recipe called for(no beans). Won a Blackstone griddle/grill with your awesome chili recipe! Right after I won, had so many coworkers beg for your recipe. My old chili recipe is put on the back shelf and your recipe is going straight to the front.Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe.

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Sarah Penrod

July 30, 2024 at 01:53 PM

Yay!!! I’m so happy for you Jonathan! If you have a picture we would love to see it. Tag us @urbancowgirl on Instagram.

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Amy

July 13, 2024 at 06:08 PM

Can this be made in a crockpot? What would your recommended cook time be?

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Sarah Penrod

July 15, 2024 at 02:46 PM

Hi Amy, I recommend searing the brisket, cooking the onion etc. and assembling in a pan and then you can pour it into a crockpot. I would think it would need about 6 hours to overnight, and you would need to monitor it and possibly add more liquid. We have braised this in the crockpot many times.

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Robert

June 23, 2024 at 07:02 PM

I’ve only had prior experience making chili with ground beef, (No, I’m NOT from Texas, sad to report) so this was an adventure. I used petite sirloin steak, so maybe that was a significant alteration. I simmered the chili for 2.5 hour, as your recipe instructs. I found the meat to still be a little tough, but the flavor was outstanding. I made an effort to obtain Mexene chili powder, which I had never even heard of before, let alone try.

In the text leading up to the recipe, however, you say it should simmer for 4-5 hours. Do you feel if I continue to simmer it for another 2-3 hours, that toughness will be resolved? I guess one cannot really over-simmer the chili.
(It’s obviously too late to switch to the conventional brisket.)

Also, I’m used to eating chili that is much thicker. Is traditional Texas chili this “soupy?”

Thanks for reading.

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Sarah Penrod

June 25, 2024 at 07:12 PM

The only reason I would say simmering for another 2.5 hours wouldn’t be ideal is because sirloin steak is so lean that it may have the opposite effect and actually toughen up further. A fatty cut of meat is best for this recipe to work correctly. If you didn’t have brisket, you could use a chuck roast for a substitution.

Regarding the soupiness, that is a personal preference and simmering it longer would have the desired effect of thickening up. So simmer away until you’ve got the soupiness or anti-soupiness that you prefer!

I hope this helps!

-Sarah

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Terence

June 8, 2024 at 09:22 PM

For the instant pot, should I reduce the amount of beef broth as there’s very little evaporation? Also, does the chili taste the same using the instant pot compared to the stove? I’d love to save time with the instant pot, but fine with the stove if it’s better that way. Thanks!

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Sarah Penrod

August 1, 2024 at 05:49 AM

I saw someone mention they used an instant pot in the comments and they used the different functions of it and from the sound of that person’s comment, it came out amazing!

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Michael

June 5, 2024 at 05:39 PM

You mentioned that you’ve made this in the instant pot. Was there any noticeable difference in taste between using the instant pot vs. stove?

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Sarah Penrod

August 1, 2024 at 05:50 AM

There is a difference but it is so good either way, I don’t think you’ll notice much at all!

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tammy

May 7, 2024 at 05:57 PM

Can I use already smoked brisket in this recipe?

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Sarah Penrod

May 13, 2024 at 01:37 PM

Yes, many have. You’ll just chop your brisket and start the process after the searing portion of the recipe.

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Simon Williams

April 23, 2024 at 03:09 AM

Good Morning,
I’m in Austria and have a question.

In your measurements:

1T is a Tablespoon?
1t is a teaspoon?

So……… 3 ½ T is 3 Tablespoons?

Thank you, I look forward to making it.

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Sarah Penrod

April 26, 2024 at 05:12 PM

Yes, that’s right.

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Shane

March 22, 2024 at 05:07 AM

I entered this in a chili competition with about 23-25 entries.. Took second place.

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Lani

February 19, 2024 at 09:06 PM

Made this with regular chili powder and it was still delicious. How much of a diffeeence do the specific chili powders make? Thinking of getting them.

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Sarah Penrod

August 2, 2024 at 06:00 AM

It can definitely vary based on the specific chili powder. You’ll have to experiment on that one. When it comes to seasonings in any recipe, I go with my favorites or I may be experimenting with a new one to see what I think!

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John

February 12, 2024 at 10:13 PM

Dear Sarah:

I live in northern Wisconsin. A little place called Superior, just like the great lake. Up here, chili is always super spicy[which we dislike], and contains kidney beans. My wife is allergic to peas and beans [no matter what kind]. Chili has always been off our menu for that reason. I was so excited to find your recipe because traditional Texas chili does not contain beans. Although I was not in a chili cook-off, your recipe hit a home run in my house. I did color outside the lines a little bit. I used the smallest size can of tomato paste, and ended up using McCormick’s dark chili powder [which uses different spices and a little sweeter flavor than traditional chili powder]. Gebhardt’s is available, but it would have taken several days to get it. For me, this was definitely an all day project. I was able to call one of the local meat shops and have them cut the brisket flat for me [4.25 lbs]. Unfortunately, it was still frozen. I still cut it up frozen into cubes as instructed and put it into ziplock bags, ran a sink full of warm water to thaw the meat. Of course I patted all the meat dry afterward. Everything else went according to Hoyle. This is truly the best chili I have ever had. While I was waiting for the chili to simmer, I went to the bar and shared your recipe with several of my friends who are also excited to give it a try. When I arrived home, the chili was ready. Absolute MONEY!!! Thank you!!!

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Sarah Penrod

February 14, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Thank you for the kind comments John! I very much appreciate them and am so thrilled you and your family were able to enjoy chili again! I also loved that you made the recipe your own. 🙂

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Meg

February 10, 2024 at 01:28 PM

I have to make 3 gallons of chili for church cook off.

It has to be done outside on a gas burner and everything had to be cooked there (meat is only thing that can be precooked)

Can I smoke the brisket prior maybe and add it all to simmer together for the 2 hours for this recipe maybe?

I’ve always made my chili’s in instant pots or crocks and this whole process is new to me. I have to buy the cooking elements and all the things 😂

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Sarah Penrod

February 14, 2024 at 11:58 AM

Hi Meg, you can definitely smoke the brisket prior to if you’d like. I don’t prefer to do it that way just because of typical time constraints and if I’m smoking a brisket, my family is going to eat it before I have a chance to put it in the chili! LOL

Also, buying “all the things” means getting to use them again and again later! Haha

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Pam Rucker

February 1, 2024 at 03:32 PM

Can this be made in a crock pot

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Sarah Penrod

February 14, 2024 at 12:06 PM

It can be but you’d have to still follow the steps and techniques for the recipe to get the same results as everyone else you’ve seen in the comments.

I didn’t intend for this to be a dump it all in and let it go recipe but if you do that, please let me know how it turns out! I’m very interested to know! 🙂

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Patrick

January 11, 2024 at 03:24 PM

Hey I’ve made this twice and it is so good. I have a trick though. The second time I made this was for 130 people. I used pot roast sliced 3/4 to 1 inch thick steaks. Then I seared the meat till gorgeously browned on both sides to really get uniform browning and depth. After that, I trimmed and cut the meat into cubes. It is much easier to brown that way rather the cut into cubes and try to get the same browning. Do it in a pot and deglaze a little (Pale Ale) as you go along if needed.

Next week I’m going to compete with this. Only twists will be with pork shoulder blade steaks as well as the beef (same method as the beef) and some mild Italian sausage too. I think I’ll make some small Masa “dumplings” to go with it as well. I may skim some of the fat though. To be continued…….

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Andy

January 10, 2024 at 06:06 PM

Hi, if I wanted to make this for 4-6 people would I just half the ingredients amounts detailed in your recipe?

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Sarah Penrod

January 13, 2024 at 03:33 PM

You could but I wouldn’t simply because you’re either not going to have leftovers or you’re going to want them if you do! LOL

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Jesse

January 2, 2024 at 11:22 PM

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Robin Freeman

December 17, 2023 at 08:31 AM

I made this multiple times, the absolutely BEST chili!
I didn’t see the link for the knife sharpener. Is it possible to still share? Thank you

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Sarah Penrod

December 18, 2023 at 10:46 PM

Here: https://amzn.to/48lZKSD

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!!

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Mark

November 19, 2023 at 12:04 AM

I’ve made several brisket chili’s, and yours definitely looks awesome! I will give it a shot. Your note about homemade chili powders did catch my eye, however. May I suggest you pick up a copy of Rob Walsh’s book, ‘The Chili Cookbook’, and try the recipe on page 11? As much as I love Gebhart’s, this one knocked my socks off! Enjoy it within 30 days, or less, and I think you may change your mind on homemade chili powders.

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Sarah Penrod

November 19, 2023 at 11:57 AM

I have tried so many homemade chili powders with no good success, but I recently bought a really nice dehydrator so I will try this one just for you. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion.

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Mark Kohring

November 16, 2023 at 03:28 PM

Can you put in crockpot? How long on low or high? Thank you

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Sarah Penrod

November 16, 2023 at 09:26 PM

You can get it to the simmering stage and then place it in a crockpot to braise and simmer. I have no idea how long because I don’t know how hot your crockpot gets but I would guess 4 hours on high and maybe 6 or more on low?

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Mark Kohring

November 17, 2023 at 03:20 PM

@Sarah Penrod,
Thanks for fast response!
I’m entering it in a competition
Tomorrow with 50 other entries

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Sarah Penrod

November 18, 2023 at 09:00 PM

Let us know how your chili goes!!

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Colleen

November 14, 2023 at 10:26 AM

Add another win for this chili! Won a small chili cook-off with this – glad I found this recipe!

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Sarah Penrod

November 14, 2023 at 02:04 PM

Yay Colleen! Happy to hear that!

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