Ring in the New Year the Chili Way
A Texas Tradition Meets a Lucky Spoonful
Out here in chili country, we don’t start the New Year with dainty bites or fancy resolutions. We start it with a full bowl, a steady hand, and somethin’ simmerin’ on the stove that means business.
There’s a long-held New Year’s tradition across the South that says if you eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, good luck will follow you clear through the year. Some say the peas represent coins. Others say they were one of the only crops left after hard winters, symbolizin’ resilience and survival. However the story’s told, one thing’s certain: folks have been leanin’ on black-eyed peas for luck, prosperity, and a strong start for generations.
And if there’s one thing we know at Six Gun Chili Mixin’s, it’s this: everything’s better with chili.
So we figured it was high time to marry that Southern New Year’s tradition with a true Texas classic—our Original Six Gun Chili Mixin’s, first wrangled up in 1948 and still kickin’ strong today.
This recipe keeps all the bold, trail-tested flavor you expect from a proper bowl of chili, with the lucky addition of black-eyed peas to help you start the year on the right foot (preferably in cowboy boots).
Why These Ingredients Mean Good Fortune
Black-Eyed Peas
Said to bring luck and prosperity, black-eyed peas have been a New Year’s staple for generations. Legend has it their round shape resembles coins—and who couldn’t use a few more of those?
Onions & Garlic
Old folklore claims they ward off bad spirits and hard times. We just know they make chili taste better, which might be the same thing.
Beef
Strength, abundance, and stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction. Starting the year with a hearty meal is said to set the tone for the months ahead.
Chili
Now this one’s our addition to the legend. Folks once believed chili could cure warts, grow hair, and generally make a better man of ya. We ain’t makin’ promises—but we do know it brings people together, warms the soul, and feels like a blessing in a bowl.
As Will Rogers put it best:
“A bowl of chili is a bowl of blessedness.”
Lucky New Year’s Chili with Black-Eyed Peas
Made with Six Gun Original Chili Mixin’s
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or cubed chili meat, your call)
- 1 packet Six Gun Original Chili Mixin’s
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups water (or beef broth for extra richness)
Optional traditions & fixin’s:
- Cooked greens (collards or mustard greens stirred in or served alongside)
- Cornbread or skillet bread for servin’
Instructions
1. Brown the beef
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add the good stuff
Stir in the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant.
3. Season like a legend
Sprinkle in the full spice packet of Six Gun Original Chili Mixin’s. Stir well to coat the meat and onions evenly. *Sprinkle in that small packet for a spicy kickstart to your New Year if you'd like.
4. Build the chili
Add diced tomatoes and water (or broth). Bring to a gentle boil.
5. Let it simmer
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the luck
Stir in the black-eyed peas and simmer another 10 minutes, until everything’s warmed through and thickened to your liking.
7. Serve strong
Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Pair with cornbread, greens, or just a good appetite.
Start the Year the Cowboy Way
Whether you believe in luck, legends, or just a really good bowl of chili, this New Year’s recipe delivers all three. It’s a reminder that traditions matter, good food brings folks together, and some recipes are worth keepin’ the same—especially when they’ve been trail-tested since 1948.
From our family recipe to your table, this ain’t just New Year’s chili.
It’s the best chili that ever met a mouth.
