If you like a hearty bowl of chili, you'll love this Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili recipe. It tastes just like the restaurant favorite you know and love, but it's easy to make at home!
Tender ground beef, beans, and seasonings combine to make a dinner that will fill you up and warm you to the bone. Serve with crackers, a sprinkle of cheese, and a dollop of sour cream for the perfect finish.
In this Article:
This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe turned out so much better than I first imagined.
Usually, when you're trying to copy a restaurant recipe, it takes a few tries to really get it right. Well, lucky for me, I got it right the first time around with this chili, and was doing a victory dance in my kitchen.
If you love this chili as much as I do, you'll probably break into a little dance as well. No shame!
I'm actually a huge lover of chili recipes in general. I have a few go-to recipes that I tend to swap between when my tummy cries for chili. My other favorites are these: Copycat Panera Turkey Chili, Creamy White Chicken Chili, Lone Star Texas Chili, and Weight Watchers Chili (for those lighter days).
This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili is:
- Warm and comforting.
- Just a touch spicy (but you can amp it up!).
- Perfect for fall and winter dinners.
- A family-friendly meal idea.
- Just like the restaurant version you love!
And if Texas Roadhouse is your jam, don't miss my Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles! They're the most popular recipe on the blog.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground beef. Ground chuck (80/20) gives you the richest, most restaurant-like flavor. Just drain off the extra grease after browning. Ground turkey, or a mix of beef and sausage, works too.
- Crushed tomatoes. Canned crushed tomatoes make the thick, saucy base. If you put up your own, homemade crushed tomatoes are perfect here. Diced tomatoes work if you like a chunkier chili.
- Kidney beans. Canned dark red kidney beans hold their shape through the long simmer. Pinto or black beans are easy swaps, or leave the beans out entirely for an all-meat bowl (more on that in the FAQs below!).
- Onion and garlic. A diced yellow or white onion and fresh garlic build the flavor base. In a pinch, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can stand in for the fresh cloves.
- Chili powder and spices. A good chili powder does most of the heavy lifting, with cumin, paprika, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper rounding it out. Swap in smoked paprika if you like a smoky edge.
- Brown sugar and white vinegar. Just a tablespoon of each balances the acidity of the tomatoes and brightens everything up. Apple cider vinegar works in place of white vinegar.
- Flour. A couple of tablespoons of all-purpose flour thicken the chili at the end. For a more Tex-Mex flavor (and a gluten-free option), use masa harina instead, or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
How to Make Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili
- Cook the onion and garlic in a skillet until the onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and brown.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (not the flour). Simmer for 35-40 minutes.
- Add the flour. Simmer until thickened. Garnish and enjoy!
For detailed instructions and measurements, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
Tips and Variations
Use other types of beans - The kidney beans used in this copycat recipe are perfect for chili. However, you can use whatever beans you like or prefer - black beans and pinto beans both work fine here.
Use dried beans - Instead of using canned beans, you can opt to prep dried beans for this recipe. You will need to soak them overnight, then drain and rinse. This makes the recipe much healthier by reducing the sodium content but means planning ahead a little bit.
Use other meats - Swap out the beef for protein options such as ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. You could even make a vegetarian version using soy crumbles or even chickpeas. You could also skip the meat altogether and simply double the beans.
Make it spicy - Add some crushed red pepper or even some diced jalapenos to the mix for a spicy kick. Other spicy peppers, like serrano, would do the trick as well.
Serving Ideas
Shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, crackers, and cornbread are all delicious ideas for topping and serving your chili. Some fresh herbs never hurt either! If you want something a little more grab-and-go for dunking, a batch of Easy Cornbread Muffins is always a hit at my house.
And of course, you can't think about Texas Roadhouse without those famous warm rolls. Serve this chili with a basket of Easy Yeast Rolls and a little honey butter on the side (just whip softened butter with a drizzle of honey and a pinch of cinnamon) for the full restaurant experience at home.
Feeding a crowd for game day or a party? Set up a chili toppings bar! Keep the chili warm in a slow cooker on the low setting and set out bowls of shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced onions, sliced jalapenos, chives, crushed crackers, and tortilla chips. Everyone gets to build their own perfect bowl, and there's something for every spice level.
Storing & Freezing
Store leftover chili in a sealed container, in the fridge, for up to 5 days. Let it cool for a bit first, but get it into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. Honestly, chili tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle, so this is a great make-ahead meal prep recipe. Leftovers are delicious spooned over a Loaded Chili Baked Potato, too.
Store in an airtight container, in the freezer, for up to 3 months. Let the chili cool completely, then portion it into freezer bags or containers, leaving a little room at the top for it to expand. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat using the microwave, stove, instant pot, or even slow cooker. Simply heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened up. It tastes great, even when reheated days or months later!
FAQs
Which Ground Beef is Best for Chili?
For a chili with a really full and rich flavor, you'll want to use ground chuck that has a higher fat content. You'll need to make the beef separately and drain it, but don't rinse it with water, before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients.
For a healthier option, you can use a low fat ground chuck and skip the need for having to drain. This will leave it lacking in flavor a bit, but you can always make up for that with additional seasoning or fresh herbs.
Does Texas Roadhouse Have Chili?
Yes, Texas Roadhouse has their own chili that's offered on the menu. They're well-known for their steaks, but their chili is also super popular! It's always been one of my husband's favorite items on the menu. And that's why I decided to make my own copycat version.
What's in Texas Roadhouse Chili?
Texas Roadhouse chili is a hearty, beef-based chili made with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and a warm blend of chili powder, cumin, and other spices, and it usually comes topped with shredded cheese and onions. Here's the fun part, though: there's actually more than one Texas Roadhouse chili! The recipe can vary depending on the region of the restaurant, so the bowl at your local Texas Roadhouse might be a little different from the one across the country. This copycat version sticks with the classics: ground beef, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and a bold spice blend.
Does Texas Roadhouse Chili Have Beans?
It depends on where you order it! Because Texas Roadhouse chili varies by region, you may find it with beans at one location and without beans at another. This copycat recipe includes kidney beans, but if you prefer a no-bean chili, just leave them out for a thicker, meatier bowl. Nothing else in the recipe needs to change.
If you decided to give this Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe a try, please let me know in the comments below or on social media!
More Recipes to Try
If you love this copycat chili recipe, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:
- 55+ Copycat Restaurant Recipes to Make at Home
- One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
- Our Latest Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes
- The Best Copycat Panera Recipes
Recipe
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or other large pot
Ingredients
- 4 Pounds ground beef
- 30 oz Crushed Tomatoes canned
- 30 oz Kidney Beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 onion diced
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon cumin
- ½ Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until thoroughly browned with no pink remaining, 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients except the flour. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. If the chili gets too thick, stir in a splash of water or beef broth.
- Sprinkle the flour evenly over the chili and stir well until no dry streaks remain. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with some diced jalapenos, sour cream, shredded cheese, or crushed crackers, and enjoy!
Notes
- Beans or no beans: Texas Roadhouse chili varies by region, and some locations serve it without beans. For a beanless version, simply leave out the kidney beans.
- Thickener swap: Masa harina can replace the flour for a more Tex-Mex flavor.
- Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
Cruzndiva says
Tried this last night and it was amazing! Was a hit. Will definitely add this to my to go recipes.
Cindy says
Definitely has become a family favorite.
Jennifer says
These are definitely not the correct ratios, if you're going for a copycat recipe. This was practically taco meat with some beans in it. Tastes fine, but not even remotely similar.
Nicole says
It's quite similar to the version served at our Texas Roadhouse. But the chain actually has multiple versions of their chili served in different regions, some with and without beans entirely. So I wouldn't be surprised if you have had a different version. I'm glad you enjoyed it either way!