Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili

Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili is perfect if you are looking for a good chili recipe. Lady Bird Johnson was known to pass out this recipe to all.

pedernales chili in a skillet




Pedernales Chili was a chili recipe from Lady Bird Johnson’s cook, Zephyr Wright. She used to pass out this recipe to everyone. If you are looking for a classic Texas chili, this recipe is the one you want. This chili has no beans.

This chili con carne recipe was the chili that was served at the White House. The recipe was so popular she printed it out on recipe cards to pass out to anyone that wanted the recipe.

History of Pedernales Chili

This recipe was served at the LBJ Ranch, and at the White House. The Chili got its name from the LBJ ranch.
Pedernales is the name of the ranch owned by the Johnson family.

Flavorful Chili in a short amount of time!

This chili does not take long at all to prepare. In fact, you can have this savory and slightly spicy chili in just about an hour.

Chili Simplicity

This recipe is not made with exotic ingredients and is very easy to make. You will need beef, chili powder, onions, tomatoes, and some hot sauce. This chili con carne is simply delicious and is quite a historical treasure.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Chili meat (beef chuck ground or diced)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Dried Mexican oregano
  • Ground cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Canned whole tomatoes
  • Hot sauce, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce recommend

How to Make Pedernales Chili

  1. Saute the meat, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until lightly colored.
  2. Add the oregano, cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, hot sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
  3. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about 1 hour.
  4. Skim off fat while cooking. Add salt to taste.

This chili recipe is over 70 years old, and a lot has changed this Lady Bird Johnson that created this recipe.

  • Make it spicy. Our taste buds have gotten used to heat, so you may want to add additional heat to this chili.
  • Thicken the chili. This chili is also a bit thin. You may want to add some masa or some crushed up corn chips to thicken this chili.
beef chili in a skillet

Can’t get enough chili? Try these recipes!

Hearty Soup and Stew Recipes

Be sure to check out more easy chili recipes and the best winter recipes here on CopyKat!

pedernales chili from lady bird johnson

Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili

Make Lady Bird Johnson's Pedernales Chili at home with this recipe.  As with many Texas Chilis, this recipe has no beans. Give this recipe a try for your next chili cook off.
4.67 from 3 votes
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 294kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds chili meat (beef chuck ground or cut into + inch dice)
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 14.5 ounces canned whole tomatoes and their liquid
  • 2-6 generous dashes of liquid hot sauce (I recommend Frank’s Red Hot Sauce)

Instructions

  • Saute the meat, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until lightly colored. Add the oregano, cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, hot sauce, and 2 cups hot water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about 1 hour. Skim off fat while cooking. Salt to taste.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 650mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 4mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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