Feeling chilly? Warm up with these Texas recipes this winter!

 
Whether the snow is falling outside your window or not, the cold winter weather has already begun making its way to our beloved southern state, bringing with it a crisp chill in the air that has many Texans already yearning for the warmer months.

But with the spring season still not in sight just yet, we’ve come up with another way to warm you up this winter. And it's all happening right in your kitchen! We’ve put together some of our favorite Texas recipes that are sure to make you feel nice and cozy, whether you’re serving them up for a dinner party or snuggling with your loved ones.

Appetizers

If you’re hosting a dinner party this winter season, you’ll more than likely need some tasty food out on the table to keep your guests’ hunger at bay. While you can always stick with the traditional chips and dip, consider spicing up your menu with these Texas-style appetizers:

Texas Chili with No Beans

This lonestar recipe is hard NOT to find on most Texas menus and for good reason! With it’s flavorful spices and an array of meats, it’s easily any Texan (and meatlovers) favorite as it's completely bean free.

While ingredients in this recipe can differ depending on the maker's preference, it mainly calls for:

• Ground meat such as beef, sausage or turkey
• Vegetables of choice such as onions, bell peppers, scallions etc.
• Tomatoes
• Aromatics or herbs such as garlic or bay leaves
• Spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika or oregano
• Beer or beef broth

For further instructions on how to make this tasty dish come to life, visit food blogs like No Spoon Necessary or The Stay at Home Chef for a slow cooker version.

Typical Cook Time: Less than one hour

Fun Ideas: If you have some leftovers, this is an optimal recipe for freezing and reheating.

Texas-Style Pimento Cheese

Looking for a quick, no-cook, appetizer? Texas-style pimento cheese makes a great option and is also one that is likely to be finished in a flash.

This smooth and savory cheesy southern dish can either be made in its traditional form or kicked up a few notches by adding in some spice and then served on sourdough bread or your favorite crackers!

According to Just A Pinch, for the traditional route (and depending on the size of your party), you’ll need nothing more than:

• A bag of mixed and grated Mexican cheese blend
• A bag of grated Velveeta cheese
• 1 package of cream cheese
• A jar of diced pimento
• Garlic salt with parsley
• 1 tub of mayonnaise

And if you’re looking to add in that extra spice, visit Food52's blog to find out exactly how they add in the following ingredients:

• Jalapenos
• Sour Cream
• Tabasco Sauce
• Lemon
• Worcestershire

Typical Cook Time: 20-30 mins

Fun Ideas: This recipe can be made up to 24 - 48 hrs in advance and chilled in the fridge until ready to serve.

Tortilla Soup

This recipe is well-known far and wide and fits the bill when it comes to Texan foods that can warm you up. Sit your guests or family down for this winter recipe that packs a flavorful punch with the following ingredients:

• Butter
• Vegetable oil
• Onion
• Jalapeno
• Garlic
• Baby carrots
• Boneless skinless chicken
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Lemon pepper
• Canned tomatoes
• Chicken broth
• Tortilla chips
• Grated Monterey jack cheese

While Food.com gives you the full breakdown on how to bring all of these ingredients together, you can also check out Sumptuous Living for their own take on this yummy dish. Keep in mind though that this soup is one you can really have fun with by making it your own and including ingredients you know your family or friends will love.

Typical Cook Time: 1 hr and 5 mins to 1 hr and 20 mins

Fun Ideas: If you’re serving this at a party, make it more engaging by allowing your guests to choose their own toppings! Layout options such as parsley, scallion, cheese, sour cream and more on the table to make this dish even more delectable and specific to their taste buds.

Texas Pinto Bean Soup

Texas Chilli with no beans is the perfect soup for our non-bean lovers, but what if beans are one of your favorite dishes? If that’s the case for you (or anyone you’re cooking for) then this Texas Pinto Bean Soup recipe is the answer you’ve been looking for!

This soup is packed with delicious pinto beans that’ll not only fill you up but have you (and your guests) feeling all warm and fuzzy despite the cold weather that may be right outside your doors.

If you’re interested in getting this pot on your stove, make sure to pick up the following ingredients:

• Dry pinto beans
• Reduced sodium chicken broth
• Onion
• Fresh jalapeno pepper
• Garlic
• Green salsa
• Cumin
• Ground black pepper
• Water

And then head over to Allrecipes.com to find out how to put it all together!

Typical Cook Time: 2 hr and 10 mins to 4 hrs and 15 mins

Not a fan of pinto beans or not looking for soup? If you’re simply on the hunt for a delicious bean recipe, then there’s no way we can forget to mention Texas’s infamous Baked Beans. Head over to Allrecipes.com to get the ingredients for your next batch of Baked Beans that would make any Lonestar native proud.

*Although the recipes listed above are perfect for your next holiday party, with reduced ingredient measurements, they’ll also make the perfect comfort food to sit by the fire in this holiday season!

Main Entrees

And now for the main event! These are some of our favorite recipes for meals and side dishes that you can serve during any holiday meal to keep your guests warm and full!

Texas Cornbread

Whether you’re eating this dish as a main meal or a side dish, giving it a delicious Texas twist from typical store-bought recipes, is the perfect way to enhance the taste and have you (or your guests) going back for more!

Add your twist by using the following ingredients:

• Cornmeal
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Baking powder
• Eggs
• Cream-style corn
• Sour cream
• Vegetable oil
• Green chilies

And then make sure to head on over to Taste of Home to find out exactly how this all comes together.

Typical Cook Time: 20 - 35mins

Looking for another twist on this Texan favorite? Visit Homesick Texan who adds in things like bacon drippings, buttermilk and completes the recipe by using a cast-iron skillet.

Tamales

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish wrapped in a corn-based dough and packed with meats, beans and cheese. It’s no secret that Tamales are a common food found here in the Texas state, but if you’re not interested in going out to buy it and rather make it from home, we’ve found the perfect recipe blog to guide you through how to do it.

Tastes Better From Scratch recommends getting the following ingredients for the dough:

• Masa Harina
• Beef, chicken or vegetable broth
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cumin
• Lard
• Dried corn husks

And the following for the filling:

• Red chili pork
• Salsa verde chicken
• Bean and cheese

Typical Cook Time: 3 hrs to 3 hrs 35 mins

Fun Ideas: If pork is something outside of your typical diet, this recipe works perfectly well with substitutes such as chicken or beef.

Brisket

Before we close out our favorites Texas recipes on the main entree list that’ll help to keep you warm this winter, we can’t forget the infamous Texas brisket!

This slow-cooked meat is any BBQ lover’s favorite and while it takes over 12 hrs to cook, the ingredients in the sauce makes sure that there is lots of flavor with each bite according to House of Yumm:

• Whole packer brisket
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Garlic
• Onion
• Chili Powder
• Coriander

Visit their blog for full step by step instructions or head over to Hey Girl Hey for another variation on how to make this Texas favorite

Typical Cook Time: 12 hrs to 17 hrs

Fun Ideas: This recipe is always the talk of any BBQ but it’s also well paired with many of the recipes we’ve listed above.

Desserts

We couldn’t forget dessert! Texas just so happens to have some of the most delicious dessert options in the lower 48. Here are our favorite desserts, best served warm!

Pecan Pie

If you’ve blown through all of these recipes and are ready to wrap it up with a sweet, salty and delicious Texas dessert, this pecan pie recipe is a great way to end your night!

While you can go big with Food & Wine’s ultimate Texas State Fair Pecan Pie recipe that calls for the following ingredients:

• Pecan halves (51/2 ounces)
• Unsalted butter
• Dark brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Light corn syrup
• Whole milk
• All-purpose flour
• Vanilla bean
• Salt
• Large eggs

You can also keep it simple by trying out Taste of Home’s Texas Pecan pie whose recipe calls for much of the same ingredients but is ready in half the time.

Typical Cook Time: 1 hr and 10 mins to 3 hrs and 30 mins

Fun Ideas: Looking to add an extra sweet flavor to this recipe? Consider serving it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of your favorite whipping cream.

Classic Southern Buttermilk Pie

Fan of custard-y desserts? Then this classic southern buttermilk pie might be right up your alley. Light, smooth and flavorful, this pie is the perfect thing to eat as a quick sweet snack or an after-dinner dessert. And the best part is it can be ready in just under an hour depending on how you choose to make it.

Just make sure to put the following ingredients on your shopping list:

• Sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Butter, melted
• Lemon zest
• Fresh lemon juice
• Vanilla extract
• Perfect Pastry Crust

And visit Southern Living or Add a Pinch for step-by-step instructions on how to round out this recipe.

Typical Cook Time: 55 mins to 3 hrs and 35 mins

Fun Ideas: Top off this dessert with some of your favorite berries, whip cream, or a healthy scoop of your favorite dessert.

Before you know it, the winter months will be in your rearview mirror so make sure to enjoy some of these warm winter recipes while you can!

 

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