California Chili
Updated on September 11, 2024 by Rodney • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. • 1 Comment • Jump to Recipe
Experience the bold flavors of this California Chili recipe. No beans, just beef stew and a mix of peppers for a unique and delicious twist on traditional chili
My wife pointed out that I hadn’t made Chili in quite some time. Surprising since I love making Chili and have a whole category dedicated to Gourmet Chili Recipes.
What makes this California Chili a little different than many of my other chili recipes is that I didn’t use any beans this time. Depending on where you live, beans vs no beans has always been debated.
I initially planned on using Ground Beef for this recipe but pivoted and used some beef stew instead. I like using stew meat when I am in the mood for a chunky chili.
As you can tell, this chili recipe is also very versatile. Besides the meat, you can experiment with different types of peppers. You can use different colors of bell peppers but you can also try using poblano peppers or Anaheim peppers
Serving Suggestions
Serve a bowl of this delicious chili with some shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips or even a little dollop of sour cream. You can also add some green onions, and cilantro or if you like your chili to have some heat, add a few jalapeños.
And what’s chili without some cornbread? Check out our delicious Cornbread Recipes.
Equipment Needed
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this recipe.
Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this California Chili recipe. For ingredient amounts please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Beef Stew Meat – you can also use ground beef
Yellow Onions – white onions or sweet brown onions are good substitutes
Green Bell Pepper – or any other type of pepper you prefer like Poblano or Anaheim
Garlic Cloves – I use fresh garlic but if needed you can also use the jarred stuff
Chili Powder, Salt, Paprika, Dried Oregano, Ground Cumin – seasoning for the chili
Tabasco Sauce – or your favorite hot sauce to taste
Instant Coffee – enhances the flavor of the chili without the taste of coffee
Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes – a must for most chili recipes
Beef Broth – you can also use an equal amount of water if you want
How to Make California Chili
- In a large pot, Add the meat, onions, green pepper and garlic. Cook stirring frequently until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender.
- Add chili powder, salt, paprika, oregano, ground cumin, Tabasco, coffee, tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir to mix well.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until thickened.
Printable Recipe Card
California Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Stew Meat
- 2 cups Yellow Onions, chopped
- 1 cup Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- ¼ cup Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 tsp Tabasco Sauce, or your favorite hot sauce
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 16 oz Diced Tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup Beef Broth
Instructions
- In a large pot, Add the meat, onions, green pepper and garlic. Cook stirring frequently until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender.
- Add chili powder, salt, paprika, oregano, ground cumin, Tabasco, coffee, tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir to mix well.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until thickened.
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.