Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

by Stephanie on November 5, 2019 (Updated July 15, 2024)

Close up of Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie, showcasing layers of chili, Fritos, and toppings.

This Pioneer Woman Chili recipe is not just a hearty and flavorful meal on its own, but also the star ingredient in a delicious Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie. With its perfect blend of seasonings, ground beef, and beans, this chili is versatile enough for both classic bowls and fun Frito pie creations. Whether you prefer stove top, Crock Pot, or Instant Pot cooking, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for chili and chili Frito pie nights!

Consider serving this versatile chili with a side of warm Cornbread or use it to assemble a crowd-pleasing Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie!

Overhead shot of a pot of Pioneer Woman Chili with a wooden spoon scooping out a serving, highlighting the rich texture and color.

Making homemade chili used to be a challenge for me until I discovered this fantastic recipe inspired by The Pioneer Woman. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Chili preferences are so personal, and this recipe provides an excellent, easy-to-customize base that you can adjust to please everyone at your table. It’s the perfect starting point for both traditional chili bowls and for building a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie.

My family enjoys it in its simplest form – just the rich combination of meat, beans, a flavorful sauce, and that signature Pioneer Woman seasoning blend. It’s also incredibly easy to transform into a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie by layering it with crunchy Fritos and your favorite toppings.

However, for those who like a bit more complexity, feel free to enrich it with bell peppers, onions, or even other vegetables like celery and mushrooms. And for a truly satisfying meal, remember that this chili is the heart of a truly comforting Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie!

How do you like your chili and Frito pie? Do you prefer a classic bowl or a fun Frito pie?

Easy Stove Top Chili and Frito Pie Foundation

This recipe is designed for ease and flavor, whether you’re making a pot of chili for bowls or as the base for a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie. Here’s how to make it on the stove top:

Brown the ground beef in a large pot and drain off any excess grease.

Stir in the garlic, tomato sauce, and the blend of seasonings. Let it simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally to develop the flavors.

Image showing ground beef being browned in a Dutch oven, with seasonings being added to create the flavorful base for Pioneer Woman Chili.

In a separate small bowl, mix the masa harina with water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the chili to thicken it slightly, giving it that perfect chili texture ideal for both spooning and Frito pie layering.

Finally, add the beans to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes. This integrates the beans and completes the chili, ready to be served as is or transformed into a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie with your choice of garnishes!

Image showing pinto beans being added to a pot of simmering chili, illustrating the final steps of preparing the Pioneer Woman Chili base.

Crock Pot Chili and Frito Pie Adaptation

For a hands-off approach perfect for busy days, the Crock Pot method works wonderfully for this Pioneer Woman Chili, maintaining its rich flavor and making it ready for a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie whenever you are.

Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet or a stove top safe Crock Pot for easy transfer. Make sure to drain any excess grease.
Introduce the garlic, tomato sauce, and all the seasonings. Simmer on the stove top for about an hour to deepen the flavors before transferring to the Crock Pot.
Mix masa harina with water and stir into the chili mixture.
Add the beans.
Cook on low for 4 hours or more, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This slow cooking method is fantastic for developing a deeply flavorful chili, perfect for both bowls and Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie.
Garnish as desired and serve, or layer into a delicious Frito pie!

Instant Pot Chili and Quick Frito Pie Option

Need chili in a hurry but still want that rich, slow-cooked taste for your Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie? The Instant Pot is your best friend.

Important Note: For the Instant Pot version, you’ll need a bit more liquid to ensure proper cooking. Use a 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes with its juice to maintain moisture.
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and brown the ground beef, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the garlic, tomato sauce, and all the seasonings.
Combine masa harina with water in a small bowl, then add it to the Instant Pot.
Stir in the beans and diced tomatoes (with juice).
Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Cook on the chili/beans setting for 20 minutes.
Once done, release the pressure, stir well, and your chili is ready. Its quick cooking time makes it ideal for last-minute Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie cravings!

Burn Indicator Tip: If you encounter the burn indicator on your Instant Pot, don’t worry too much. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with a silicone spatula to remove any stuck bits before sealing the lid. Often, the burn message will resolve itself as the pot pressurizes.

👉 Pro-Tip for all methods: Adjust the thickness of your chili by adding more masa harina and water mixture as needed. Whether you like a thicker chili for bowls or a slightly looser consistency for Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie, you have full control.

Masa Harina Alternatives

If you don’t have masa harina on hand, you can still achieve a great texture for your chili, suitable for both bowls and Frito pie.

Flour or cornmeal can be used as substitutes to thicken the chili. However, be aware that they might slightly alter the flavor profile.
Cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of water is another effective thickening agent if you’re in a pinch.

Freezing and Storing Your Chili

Absolutely! Chili is an excellent make-ahead dish and freezes exceptionally well. This makes it perfect for batch cooking and ensuring you always have a delicious and convenient meal or Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie base ready.

Leftover chili can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simply thaw in the microwave or refrigerator and then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave until heated through. It’s just as delicious the second time around, whether you’re enjoying it in a bowl or as a Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie!

Explore More Pioneer Woman Recipes

Serving Suggestions for Chili and Frito Pie

Close-up shot of a wooden spoon lifting a spoonful of cheesy Pioneer Woman Chili, showcasing melted cheese and rich chili texture, perfect for Frito Pie.

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The Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie Recipe Base

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Average Rating: 4.8 stars from 53 reviews

Servings: 6 people

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This hearty Pioneer Woman Chili recipe creates a perfect base for both classic chili and the beloved Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie, featuring a delightful mix of seasonings, ground beef, and beans. Cook it on the stove top, in a Crock Pot, or Instant Pot for a versatile and delicious meal!

Ingredients

[US Customary] – [Metric]

2 lbs ground beef, 80% lean
2 cloves garlic, diced finely
8 oz tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina, white or yellow
15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained (for Instant Pot version only)

Garnish Options for Chili and Frito Pie

Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Lime Wedges
Sour Cream
Tortilla Chips or Fritos Corn Chips (essential for Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie!)
Diced Green Onions

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Instructions

Stove Top Chili Recipe

In a large pot over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until it’s nicely browned.
Drain off any excess grease.
Add the diced garlic and tomato sauce to the pot. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in all the seasonings: chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Mix well to combine everything. Reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
If the chili seems too thick after simmering, add water in 1/2 cup increments to reach your desired consistency.
In a small bowl, whisk together the masa harina and 1/2 cup of water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the chili, stirring to incorporate.
Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the masa harina to thicken the chili and cook through. Adjust thickness with more masa/water as needed.
Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney and pinto beans. Simmer for a final 10 minutes.
Serve hot, garnished as desired for chili, or use as a base for Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie! Pair with cornbread if serving as chili.

Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or a stove-top safe crock pot over medium heat. Drain the grease.
Add garlic and tomato sauce to the beef, cooking for another minute.
Stir in all the seasonings: chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper. Combine thoroughly. Transfer the mixture to the Crock Pot.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together masa harina and 1/2 cup water until smooth.
Pour the masa mixture into the Crock Pot, then add the kidney beans and pinto beans. Stir gently.
Cook on low setting for 4 hours, or for a longer period on the warm setting for all-day flavor development.
Adjust consistency by adding more masa harina mixture or water as needed during cooking.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Note: Remember to use a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes with juice for the Instant Pot version to maintain moisture.
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Brown the ground beef and drain any excess grease.
Add garlic and tomato sauce, cooking for about a minute.
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk masa harina with 1/2 cup water until smooth.
Add the masa mixture, diced tomatoes with their juices, kidney beans, and pinto beans to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Optional: For desired consistency, add additional water or masa mixture.
Close the Instant Pot lid, ensure the pressure valve is sealed. Select the Chili/Beans setting and set the cooking time for 20 minutes.
Once cooking is complete, perform a quick pressure release or allow for natural pressure release. Serve with your favorite garnishes, or assemble your Pioneer Woman Chili Frito Pie!

Recipe Notes

Masa Harina Substitute Options

While masa harina provides a distinct flavor and texture, flour or cornmeal can be used if necessary. Be aware the flavor profile may slightly differ.
Cornstarch mixed with equal parts water can also be used to thicken the chili effectively.

Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and is calculated per serving. This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 613kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 734mg, Potassium: 1198mg, Fiber: 14g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 999IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 110mg, Iron: 8mg

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Recipe Author: Stephanie

Recipe Source: The Food Network

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Originally posted by Stephanie on November 5, 2019 — 165 Comments »