California Chili

5 from 1 vote

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

california 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.

california chili

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

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.

california chili

Equipment Needed

Using the right equipment can make a big difference. Here are my favorite tools for this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases to keep these recipes free.

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

  1. 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.
    beef and veggies in a pot
  2. Add chili powder, salt, paprika, oregano, ground cumin, Tabasco, coffee, tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir to mix well.
    chili ingredients in a pot
  3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until thickened.

More Recipe Ideas

Printable Recipe Card

california chili

California Chili

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
5 from 1 vote

↑ Click stars to rate

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Author Rodney
Servings 6
Calories 296 kcal

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.

Equipment Needed

Please Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases to keep these recipes free. We truly appreciate your support!

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

I respect your inbox, so your email stays with me (see our Privacy Policy for details), and you’re free to unsubscribe anytime.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 37gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1109mgPotassium: 1135mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3444IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 7mg

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.

Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating:




Before a comment appears it needs to be approved by the site owner. Read our Comment Policy to see how your comment data is processed. Your email address will NOT be published.