If you’re craving a hearty, bold chili that brings real Texas comfort to your table, the Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe is exactly what you need. This isn’t your average chili-it’s a flavor-packed pot of goodness that combines ground chuck, hot sausage, fresh peppers, and rich seasonings for the ultimate Texas Pepper Belly Pete Chili experience.
What makes this recipe stand out is its balance of smoky heat, tangy tomatoes, and perfectly seasoned beans. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, making it ideal for family dinners, tailgate parties, or chilly evenings when only comfort food will do.
Best of all, this recipe is straightforward and feeds a crowd. Once it simmers on the stove, you’ll smell the irresistible aroma of spices and peppers filling your kitchen, making everyone gather around with a bowl ready to be filled.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe
The first bite of this Best Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe hits you with a burst of flavor. The blend of ground chuck and hot breakfast sausage adds richness and just the right amount of spicy kick, creating a meaty base that’s deeply satisfying.
Fresh jalapeños, garlic, and onion bring brightness and heat, while the hatch green chiles layer in a smoky depth that makes this chili unforgettable. The tomato base, combined with Williams chili mix and tomato paste, gives it that signature hearty texture with robust seasoning in every spoonful.
The Texas Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe with Beans finish things off beautifully, adding creaminess and balance to the chili’s bold flavors. It’s thick, savory, slightly spicy, and utterly comforting-a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat whenever chili night rolls around.
Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe Ingredients List
- 3 lbs fresh ground chuck
- 1 lb hot breakfast sausage (do not drain)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3–4 fresh jalapeños, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 44 oz diced tomatoes
- 44 oz tomato sauce
- 4 oz hatch green chiles
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 3 oz Williams chili mix
- 3 cans Bush’s Best Chili Magic (medium campfire style beans)
Must-Have Kitchen Tools
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: Serves 8–10
Copycat Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe
- In a large pot, brown 3 pounds of ground chuck over medium heat. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, cook 1 pound of hot breakfast sausage. Do not drain the fat-it adds flavor.
- Add diced onion, jalapeños, and garlic. Sauté until softened and aromatic.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, hatch green chiles, tomato paste, and Williams chili mix. Mix well to combine.
- Return the ground chuck to the pot. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 1 hour.
- After an hour, stir in 3 cans of Bush’s Best Chili Magic beans. Mix until evenly combined.
- Allow the chili to simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.
Pro Tips for First-Time Success on This Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe
- Cut your veggies small. Tiny onions, garlic, and peppers cook faster and mix better in the chili.
- Don’t skip the sausage fat. It makes the chili taste rich and yummy, so leave it in.
- Brown the meat well. Let it get a little color before adding the other stuff. That gives more flavor.
- Use fresh jalapeños. They make the chili taste bright and give a little kick.
- Stir, stir, stir. Keep stirring so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
- Let it simmer slow. The longer it cooks, the better the flavors get.
- Taste before serving. Add a little salt or chili powder if you want more kick.
- Don’t forget toppings. Cheese, sour cream, or chips on top make it extra tasty.
- Make it a day ahead. Chili tastes even better the next day after sitting overnight.
- Freeze leftovers. Put extra chili in a freezer bag and save it for another easy meal.
Creative Serving Ideas for This Pepper Belly Pete Chili
1. Over Steamed Rice
One of our favorite ways to stretch a pot of chili is by serving it over a fluffy bed of rice. The rice soaks up all that rich sauce and makes every bite extra hearty.
2. With Cornbread on the Side
You just can’t beat chili with a slice of warm, buttery cornbread or Saltgrass Bread. We love crumbling the cornbread right into the bowl-it adds sweetness and texture that balances the spice.
3. Chili Cheese Fries
When we want to turn chili into comfort food at its finest, we spoon it over a pile of crispy fries, add shredded cheddar, and let it melt. It’s messy but oh so worth it.
4. As a Chili Dog Topping
Hot dogs and chili are a match made in heaven. We’ve topped grilled hot dogs with this chili, sprinkled on some onions and cheese, and it was instantly a crowd favorite.
5. Inside Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes stuffed with Pepper Belly Pete Chili are one of those meals that feel indulgent but are so easy to put together. A dollop of sour cream on top seals the deal.
6. With Tortilla Chips for Dipping
Sometimes we skip the bowls altogether and just grab a bag of tortilla chips. Scooping up chili like a dip turns it into a fun, casual snack that disappears fast at parties.
7. Over Pasta (Chili Mac Style)
Chili mac is comfort food squared. We’ve tossed this chili with elbow macaroni and topped it with shredded cheese-kids and adults both love it.
8. Topped with Fritos (Frito Pie Style)
This is a nostalgic favorite. We layer Fritos in a bowl, ladle the chili over, and finish it with cheese and jalapeños. Crunchy, spicy, and cheesy all at once.
9. As a Nacho Topping
Whenever we’re hosting, nachos loaded with chili, melted cheese, and fresh toppings like tomatoes and jalapeños always get polished off first. It’s a great way to turn chili into finger food.
10. With a Side Salad for Balance
When we want to lighten things up, we pair our chili with a crisp side salad. The fresh greens cut through the richness of the chili, making for a balanced and satisfying meal.
How to store and reheat leftover Pepper Belly Pete Chili
Leftover chili stores beautifully. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.
Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot, brown 3 pounds of ground chuck over medium heat. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, cook 1 pound of hot breakfast sausage. Do not drain the fat-it adds flavor.
- Add diced onion, jalapeños, and garlic. Sauté until softened and aromatic.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, hatch green chiles, tomato paste, and Williams chili mix. Mix well to combine.
- Return the ground chuck to the pot. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 1 hour.
- After an hour, stir in 3 cans of Bush’s Best Chili Magic beans. Mix until evenly combined.
- Allow the chili to simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.
Video
Notes
Common Questions About Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Pepper Belly Pete Chili that people often ask.
1. What is Pepper Belly Pete?
Pepper Belly Pete is more of a fun, Southern-style nickname tied to hearty, belly-filling chili. Over the years, people started calling this recipe “Pepper Belly Pete Chili” because it’s the kind of rich, meaty chili that keeps you full and warms you from the inside out.
2. What is the best chili pepper for chili?
From our experience, fresh jalapeños work beautifully because they add just enough kick without overpowering the dish. Hatch green chiles are also fantastic-they bring a smoky depth that rounds out the chili. If you like more heat, you can always add serrano or chipotle peppers.
3. What is a pepper belly made of?
A pepper belly usually refers to a hearty dish made with layers of chili, beans, cheese, and sometimes corn chips. In this recipe, the “pepper belly” comes from the meaty chili base loaded with beef, sausage, tomatoes, jalapeños, and beans-making it a full meal in one bowl.
4. What happened to Texas Pete chili?
Texas Pete is best known for its hot sauce, but they did have a canned chili product years ago. It’s harder to find these days because many stores no longer carry it. That’s why recipes like Pepper Belly Pete Chili are so popular-you can make it fresh at home and get even better flavor.
5. How spicy is Pepper Belly Pete Chili?
It has a nice kick thanks to the hot breakfast sausage and fresh jalapeños, but it’s not overpowering. The beans and tomato base help mellow out the spice, so it’s balanced enough for most people to enjoy.
6. Can I make this chili less spicy?
Yes! If you prefer a milder version, swap the hot breakfast sausage for mild sausage and reduce the number of jalapeños. You’ll still get all the rich flavors without the extra heat.
7. Can I use a different kind of meat in this recipe?
Absolutely. We’ve tried it with ground turkey and even ground chicken when we wanted something lighter. It still turns out delicious, though the flavor is richest when made with beef and sausage.
8. Do I need to drain the sausage fat?
No, and that’s the beauty of this recipe! The sausage fat adds incredible flavor to the chili base. We always drain the ground chuck, but the sausage fat gives the chili that extra depth.
9. How long should chili simmer for the best flavor?
From our experience, at least 1 ½ hours is perfect. The first hour lets the meat and tomato base meld together, and the last 30 minutes with the beans ensures everything is well combined and hearty.
10. What toppings go best with Pepper Belly Pete Chili?
We love serving it with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and cornbread on the side. Sometimes, we even add a handful of tortilla chips for crunch-it’s comfort food at its best.
The Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe is more than just a meal-it’s a crowd-pleasing bowl of comfort packed with bold flavors and hearty goodness. Whether you’re hosting game day, feeding your family, or just craving something warm and filling, this chili won’t disappoint.
Go ahead and try it-you’ll love how easy it is to make and how quickly it disappears from the pot. Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and leave your feedback after trying it!
Drop a comment on the blog with your feedback-I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Also, follow along on Pinterest and Reddit for more tasty updates. Your support and thoughts mean the world!
I really enjoyed making this dish. The instructions were clear, and the flavors came out absolutely perfect in every bite.