I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (2024)

We tried making the Pioneer's Woman's classic winter comfort food, and we have some thoughts.

Few foods are as cozy, comforting and soul-warming as a large bowl of chili. As one of the reigning queens of comfort food, it should be no surprise that Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) has created one of the most popular chili recipes on the internet.

Her Simple, Perfect Chili Recipe has hundreds of rave reviews, so we felt we should put this recipe to the test!

Keep reading to see how this Pioneer Woman chili comes together step by step (and how it compares to our most popular chili recipes).

The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe

I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (1)Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup masa harina
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Initial Thoughts

This Pioneer Woman chili recipe is without a doubt simple. It’s so simple, we have to admit that we’re a little skeptical of how it will turn out! When it comes to chili, we tend to love recipes that include several types of chilies, a complex blend of spices and one or more surprise ingredients like beer or cinnamon.

Editor’s Tip:If you’re not familiar with masa harina, it’s essentially a special corn flour. If you don’t have masa harina on hand, use finely ground cornmeal instead or omit it entirely. Just note that your chili will have a slightly thinner consistency.

Browning the Ground Beef

I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (2)Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

This chili recipe starts out by browning the ground beef in a large pot with garlic. We opted to use a cast-iron Dutch oven, but a heavy-bottomed stock pot would also work well.

Once fully cooked, a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt is stirred into the beef along with tomato sauce.

Editor’s Tip: Since this chili has minimal spices and ingredients, it’s worth investing in a high-quality chili powder to get the most complex flavor. Here’s the best chili powder, according to our Test Kitchen experts.

This is where we felt this recipe took a left turn. Other top chili recipes typically add other additional ingredients at this stage, like beans, diced tomatoes or additional cooking liquids. Ree’s recipe, however, directs you to simply cover the pot and let the ground beef mixture simmer on low for one hour, adding 1/2 cup of water if the chili starts to look dry.

In our experience, the additional 1/2 cup of water wasn’t optional, it was necessary.After about 15 minutes of simmering, covered, the chili was starting to look VERY dry. However, adding a 1/2 cup of water rehydrated everything nicely for the remaining 45 minutes of cooking.

Making the Masa Harina

I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (3)Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Next, comes the masa harina, which is used to thicken the chili. We whisked it together in a measuring cup with 1/2 cup of water before stirring it into the chili.

From a thickening perspective, we didn’t feel that this chili needed to be thickened at this stage, because it was already fairly thick. However, we loved the subtle aroma that emerged after stirring in the masa harina.

To finish the chili, we stirred in two types of canned beans (pinto and kidney). Then, we let everything simmer for a final 10 minutes to help the flavors meld together.

The Final Verdict

I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (4)Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Wow! Forgive us, Ree, we should have never doubted you. I mean, you live on a ranch with cowboys who basically have chili in their blood. This Simple, Perfect Chili is, well, perfect!

Letting the chili simmer for one hour with minimal cooking liquid really allowed the simple blend of spices to become super concentrated and infuse the tomato sauce and beef with tons of flavor.

We were also surprised by the level of heat in this chili. We expected it to be mild since no peppers or hot chilies are included in the recipe. However, we’d place this chili somewhere in the medium range when it comes to spice.

Overall, we give this recipe a glowing 5-star review! If you like this, don’t forget to try this Pioneer Woman’s corn on the cob recipe.

Editor’s Tip: The chili powder you use will have a big impact on the spiciness of your chili. Not all chili powders are created equal. If you’re using a brand of chili powder for the first time, we suggest scaling back the chili powder to start, taste and add more to get the chili to your preferred level of heat. Serve this dish along with Pioneer Woman’s taco soup.

Discover why this Pioneer Woman cheese ball recipe is perfect for every party.

Topping Ideas for Your Chili

Don’t forget the toppings! Ree suggests topping her Pioneer Woman chili with cheddar cheese, chopped onions, tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime. Here are some of our other favorite chili toppings:

  • Sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • Crumbled queso fresco
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Diced green onions
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Ripe avocado
  • Oyster crackers
  • Homemade cornbread crumbles

Can’t get enough Ree Drummond? Head to Walmart and pick up one of her beautifully designed Pioneer Woman kitchen products.

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I Made The Pioneer Woman's Chili Recipe—and It's Simply Perfect for Fall (2024)

FAQs

How much flour do you put in chili? ›

To the bowl, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour and a cup of hot liquid from the chili. Mix/whisk both until combined. Add this mixture to your chili and stir until combined. It'll thicken in 20-30 minutes.

What kind of beans can be used in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What makes chili taste sweet? ›

The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!

How much masa flour to add to chili? ›

Masa harina is an especially effective thickener, so start with a small amount — say, 1 tablespoon each water and masa harina per 3 cups of chili. It can take a few moments for masa harina to work its magic, so let the chili simmer, stirring often, for about five minutes, and then check its consistency.

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Yellow Onions: These are the most versatile and widely available type of onion, and are a good choice for chili con carne. They have a slightly sweet, sharp, and tangy flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

What kind of tomatoes to use in chili? ›

Chili Ready Crushed Tomatoes 15 oz

Crushed Tomatoes seasoned with chili spices are the perfect tomatoes to help make your best chili recipe.

What are the best tomatoes for chili? ›

If you're using canned tomatoes, look for San Marzano tomatoes canned without salt and sugar if you can find them. That way you can add your own seasonings. San Marzanos also have the best flavor for home made tomato sauce. What is a substitute for tomatoes in a chili recipe?

What gives chili the most flavor? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

Should I put brown sugar in my chili? ›

Mmm! Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Why do you put honey in chili? ›

The honey helps balance all the spicy flavors without being overly sweet and plays well with the fruity flavor of the habanero peppers. As written, the honey only adds a hint of sweetness, but feel free to increase the amount of honey to make it sweeter.

Why do you put cornmeal in chili? ›

Add cornmeal: Cornmeal absorbs excess liquid, so adding a tablespoon of it to your pot of chili will thicken the final result. Allow the chili to simmer for about ten minutes after you add the cornmeal.

How do you add richness to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What does corn flour do for chili? ›

Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain. Or try masa harina, a very fine corn flour traditionally used to make corn tortillas or tamales.

How to make chili with flour? ›

Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch. If you're using all-purpose flour, double the amount of water. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, evenly distributing it throughout the chili.

How much cornstarch and water to thicken chili? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry: Mix together 1 tablespoon each of cornstarch and cold water, stirring well to remove any lumps. Then, stir the slurry into your chili and let it simmer for another 10 minutes to fully thicken.

Can you use flour and water to thicken chili? ›

Add Thickeners: Mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and add it to the chili. Cook while stirring until it thickens.

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