This Hormel Chili No Beans Copycat Recipe is so close to the original but easy to modify to your own taste and texture preferences. Perfect for chili dogs or hamburgers!
Prep time: PT15M
Cook time: PT60M
Total time: PT75M
Rating
4.35 stars (69 reviews)
Keywords
copycat Hormel recipe, homemade Hormel chili, no beans Hormel Chili
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef (80/20)
1/2 pound ground pork (not flavored, just meat)
1 cup finely diced onion (about 1/2 large)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
5 cups water
3/4 cup good-quality chili powder (I like Gebharts)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional or to taste)
Salt to taste (start with 1 1/2 teaspoons and go from thereTo Finish)
1/3 cup Wondra flour
1/3 cup masa
Water as needed to make a loose paste
Categories
Soups, Stews & Chili
Cuisine
American
Steps
Add the beef and pork to a cold pan, set heat to medium-low. Stir and break the meats up into small bits, mixing them together. As the juices from the meat begin to render, add the onion and saute until the onion is tender and the meat is cooked through - do not brown - just "grey" the meat. Add the tomato paste and cook it into the meat and onions. Add the water and stir well. (you should have fine pieces of meat floating in what seems like too much water).
Stir in the spice mix. Partially cover and simmer for at least an hour so the flavors meld. You can simmer longer, if desired, up to 2 hours.
Mix the Wondra flour with the masa in a small bowl. Add water and stir to form a thin paste. Add to the simmering chili and stir until the chili begins to thicken. If the chili is not thick enough, after about 5 minutes, make and add more of the flour/masa mix. Add slowly until you have a nice thick chili. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 292 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Protein: 29 g
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg
Sodium: 368 mg
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Reviews
Jimmy on 2025-07-18 (5 stars): Just cooked this recipe this week and its gone already. I found the chili powder was a bit overpowering if youre looking for that Hormel Chili taste. Couldve just been this batch of Chili powder. Not a problem, I just added more solid ingredients and water and cooked it for another hour. We like our chili more meaty so this checks that box. I also had a left over chuck roast that I threw in that gave it even more meaty snap.
Since my wife isn't a huge chili fan,I looked for other ways to use this recipe. I scooped out about a cup and a half and added it into about a cup and a half of homemade refried beans. Then reduced it down to get a thicker texture. This made a perfect chimichanga filling, especially with the addtional roast meat, but you could also use it for taquitos. This will be my new go to chili recipe.
Carolyn on 2024-05-31 (5 stars): Made this recipe almost exactly as written. I didn’t have any ground pork so just used beef. Closest to Hormel hot chili I’ve tried to date! So good with some cornbread. Thank you for this!
Would like to just mention for those questioning about the amount of chili powder. The 3/4 cup, at least for me, equates to the hot version of Hormel. I think if someone is looking to mimic the original, cut back to 1/3 cup chili powder. Then taste it after an hour. Add another 1/4 cup if not spicy enough. Also be aware that chili powder will vary in heat across brands.
R on 2024-04-08 (5 stars): Thank you for posting this recipe. Hormel chili wo beans contains soy. I'm allergic. Can't wait to make a batch to top hot dogs! YUM!
