I'll do better. I used to use Deans Pure Texas Foods Chili Mix. This one won at Terlingua as well. Its dead and gone because he died and his wife didn't want to continue making it (and healthy profits on dry packaged stuff)
So I took the only packet I had left, and fed the ingredients into AI, and had it chew on it. I have tried it a few times in the last year and this is solid setup.
HOW TO MAKE THE SEASONING PACKET
DRY BASE (Color + Chili Backbone) These replicate “Red peppers dried” and visual color body: - 2 tbsp standard chili powder (American blend, not pure ancho) - 1 tbsp mild New Mexico chili powder (harder to find, sub 3 of above) - 1 tsp paprika - 1/2 tsp annatto powder (or substitute: 1/2 packet Sazón Goya (Coriander & Annatto) [this is what I do lazy]
UMAMI / BASE SYSTEM (This is the championship “secret sauce” section) - Beef + Chicken Base Simulation (Commercial mix uses hydrolyzed soy protein, bouillon powders, MSG, fats, maltodextrin.) Use: - 1 tsp beef bouillon powder - 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder - 1 tsp Accent (pure MSG)
AROMATICS CORE From label: onion, garlic, cumin, turmeric oleoresin Add: - 3/4 tsp granulated onion - 1 tsp granulated garlic - 1 tsp ground cumin - 1/4 tsp turmeric
SWEET / COLOR BALANCE From caramel color + brown sugar + maltodextrin notes: - 1 tsp brown sugar - 1/2 tsp cocoa powder (optional but championship trick) - 1/2 tsp cornstarch OR maltodextrin powder (texture + mouthfeel)
SALT BALANCE (Bouillon already adds salt — don’t overdo) - 1/2 tsp salt (Adjust later while cooking)
OPTIONAL - Used in numerous championship recipes - 1/4 tsp Mexican oregano - 1/4 tsp black pepper - 1/8 tsp cayenne (this gets a standard mild-medium heat) [Personally I don't like it that hot, so I dont do this]
HOW TO COOK (2 lb Meat Batch)
Ingredients: - 2 lb beef (80/20 ground beef) - 1 full batch seasoning above - 1 1/2 cups beef broth - 1 tbsp beef tallow (sub oil if lazy)
Cooking Method (Texas Style – No Tomatoes - This is the double dump method) - Brown beef in tallow, do not drain fat! - Sprinkle seasoning directly onto meat, stir 30 seconds to toast spices (Dump 1) - Add liquid (Dump 2) - Simmer uncovered 60–90 minutes (low and slow, - Adjust salt/heat at end - add 1/4 tsp Accent (pure MSG) on top for competition PUNCH
I wish I could just buy it in a fucking packet but all good things go away, and we can try to recreate.