Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe (Easy Copycat)

This copycat Texas Roadhouse chili recipe delivers all the comfort and flavor you love from the restaurant version. It’s loaded with tender beef, smoky spices, and just the right balance of savory and sweet. Every bowl is rich, filling, and guaranteed to warm you up. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd, this hearty homemade chili is a family favorite that never disappoints.

Why I Love This Texas Roadhouse Chili

This Texas Roadhouse chili recipe is one of the easiest and most satisfying weeknight dinners I've made. I only had it once at the restaurant, but I thought it was one of the tastiest chilis I've tried, so I set out to recreate the restaurant version at home. I tried a few variations—some were pretty good and some were awful—and this one is my favorite. It captures the smoky, savory-sweet flavors of the restaurant’s famous chili, but it’s even better because you can customize it at home.

The seasoning blend I chose is what makes this copycat Texas Roadhouse chili shine. It’s layered with smoky chili powder, paprika, garlic, and just enough heat to warm you up without being overwhelming. To take it up another notch, I love topping each bowl with sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, or green onions—it turns a classic bowl of chili into an extra hearty comfort food meal.

This is the kind of meal that’s perfect for cozying up on a cold, rainy evening, but it also works for summer cookouts when you want a hearty side dish to go with other Texas Roadhouse favorites like Texas Roadhouse herb crusted chicken and Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp.

And, of course, chili is always better with the right side. I love pairing this recipe with Texas Roadhouse rolls, Martha White cornbread recipe, this Little Caesars cheese bread, and this classic garlic bread recipe. Together, they make an extra-hearty meal that’s perfect for feeding a hungry family or a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 yellow or white onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 (15-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 ½ cup beef broth
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

You can use many of these same ingredients to make this Wend'y chili recipe, so if you want to give another one of the best copycat chili recipes a try, you'll want to check that out.

How To Make Texas Roadhouse Chili

Step 1: Cook the Onion

To start, add the oil to a large, deep pot over medium-high heat and then let it heat up for a minute or two. Once the oil's hot, add the onions and garlic to it and cook them until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant—this should take about 5 minutes. 

Step 2: Cook The Beef

Next, add the ground beef to the pan with the onions and garlic, and break it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook the ground beef for about 10 minutes until it's browned. And be sure to stir the meat frequently so that it cooks evenly on all sides. 

Step 3: Add The Spices and Cook The Chili

Now that the beef is cooked, add all the spices and seasonings to the pan: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine everything with the beef.

Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, and kidney beans, and stir everything again to combine.  Once combined, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the Texas chili to simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes. And make sure to stir the chili occasionally to prevent it from burning. 

Step 4: Serve the Chili

Once the chili has simmered for about 25 minutes and has become slightly thick, you can remove it from the heat. Finally, it's time to serve this hearty meal! Dish out a few servings into bowls and finish it off with any toppings you want. Enjoy! 

Recipe Variations To Try

Every family has their own twist on chili, so here are a few ways you can customize this Texas Roadhouse chili recipe and make it your own:

• Spicy Chili: Turn up the heat by adding adobo chilis, diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Milder & Savory: Tone down the spice and lean into aromatic flavors—add extra garlic, onion, or warming spices like cumin and paprika. You can also stir in vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or zucchini to make it heartier.
• Vegetarian or Vegan Chili: Skip the beef and use vegetable broth instead. Double the beans (kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans) and toss in your favorite vegetables for a plant-based version.
• Alternative Proteins: If you don’t eat ground beef, try ground turkey or ground chicken as leaner protein options.
• Load it up with toppings: This chili is delicious on its own, but I love adding a variety of toppings to make it heartier and more flavorful. Here are some of my favorites: sliced chilis, avocado, red onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

Texas Roadhouse Chili FAQs

What can I serve with Texas Roadhouse chili?

This hearty Texas Roadhouse chili recipe pairs with a variety of sides. Try it with a crisp house salad, buttery baguette garlic bread, Texas Roadhouse rolls, or even Texas Roadhouse smothered chicken for a full restaurant-style meal at home.

How do I store leftover chili?

Store cooled chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat for about 5 minutes, or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.

Can I freeze chili?

Yes! Portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Freezing it is great if you want to use this as a hearty meal-prep recipe. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop for best results.

Can I add vegetables to this chili recipe?

Definitely! Adding vegetables makes the chili heartier and boosts the nutrition. Some great options are carrots, zucchini, corn, bell peppers, broccoli, onions, or even cauliflower. Just dice them into small pieces so they blend into the chili as it simmers.

Is Texas Roadhouse chili spicy?

The restaurant version is mildly spicy, but the great thing about this copycat chili recipe is that you can adjust the heat level to your liking. Add more chili powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce for extra spice, or keep it mild by reducing the heat and focusing on smoky spices like paprika and cumin.

More Copycat Recipes To Try Next

If you want to give some more easy and delicious recipes inspired by restaurants a shot, we have a ton on the blog!

Here are some of our most popular ones:

• Texas Roadhouse country fried chicken
• Chili's southwest chicken soup
• KFC Nashville tenders
• Cheesecake Factory thai coconut lime chicken
• Cheesecake Factory spicy chicken chipotle pasta
• Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta 
• Longhorn Steakhouse bourbon salmon
• Panera turkey chili