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    Home » Recipes » Everyday Meals

    Nov 14, 2020 · Modified: Feb 7, 2022 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income via ads.

    Idaho Chili

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Idaho Chili is not complicated, it's just hearty, thick and meaty. Make this your go-to, scratch-made family chili recipe! It's the perfect combination of meat, beans and a sauce that's seasoned with just the right amount of spice. Make it on the stovetop or in the Crockpot. Serve Idaho Chili with tortillas, cornbread or Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits.

    A large stockpot on the stove full of chili.
    A big pot of chili is a welcome sight any time of year, but especially when the weather is chilly. That's the perfect time to serve Idaho Chili.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients to Have on Hand
    • Spices for the Best Idaho Chili
    • Recipe FAQs
    • How To Season the Meat for Chili
    • Use a Variety of Beans
    • How to Serve Idaho Chili
    • Toppings for Chili
    • More Hearty Meal Ideas
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients to Have on Hand

    • ground beef
    • onion
    • canned diced tomatoes
    • tomato paste
    • canned Rotel diced tomatoes, with green chilies
    • four varieties of canned beans (use your favorites!)

    Canned Rotel diced tomatoes are a great staple to keep on hand in your pantry. The spicy canned tomatoes make Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta, a classic comfort food main dish.

    A bowl of chili with toppings and a spoon on the side

    Spices for the Best Idaho Chili

    • chili powder
    • cumin
    • oregano
    • cayenne pepper, just a dash
    • salt
    • black pepper
    Uncooked ground beef in a large stockpot on the stove.
    Excellent chili starts with the best quality beef you can buy. I use ground chuck for chili and if you have a local butcher shop, be sure to get your ground beef there.

    Recipe FAQs

    Are there options for using canned diced tomatoes?

    Whole, canned tomatoes work just fine. You'll need to break them apart in the pot to create that sauce though. That's why I like to use diced tomatoes, they break down quickly and pretty much every chunk of tomato is the same size.

    Can I use fresh tomatoes?

    I recommend using at least half the amount of canned tomatoes called for in this recipe, it helps to create that familiar "chili sauciness."

    Honestly, though, there's really no way to mess up chili when it comes to the type of tomatoes you choose. So feel free to be adventurous. A large pot of chili on the stove with a wooden serving spoon.

    I thought "real" chili doesn't include beans.

    Ah yes, the age-old debate! If your chili recipe includes beans, is it truly chili? The answer depends a little on where you live.

    I'm told a lot of folks in Texas feel strongly that the answer is no. True chili does NOT include beans.

    Those from other areas of the country lean more toward a "maybe" reply. I live in Idaho, and here - or at least in my family, beans are a yes. That's why I call this recipe Idaho Chili.

    No matter what your preference is in the "bean debate," the truth is chili is easy to make and one of the heartiest and most crowd pleasing meals you can serve.

    How To Season the Meat for Chili

    This is such an easy chili to make, right on the stove. Don't let the list of spices discourage you. They are easy spices to keep on hand and you'll use them again and again.

    Pro Tip: Here's a little trick to bring out the most of the spicy seasoning - add the spices after the meat is browned and before you add the tomatoes and beans.

    Spice ingredients for Idaho chili placed on top of browned meat and diced onions in a large stockpot.

    Allow a few minutes for the spices to steam with the meat and onions before adding the beans and the rest of the ingredients.

    Chili meat and onions browned and steaming in a pot on the stove.
    Allow a few minutes for the spices to steam with the meat and onions before adding the beans.

    Use a Variety of Beans

    One of my favorite things about Idaho chili is you can use whatever combination of canned beans you have in the pantry. Beans are so versatile.

    According to the Idaho Bean Commission, you can substitute one type of bean for most other beans in any recipe. 

    The only exception is a variety like black beans which may add a slightly different taste and color. I've used many varieties of beans when I make my chili, but I think kidney beans, chili beans, great northern and pinto beans create the best balance of flavor.

    A large stockpot on the stove full of chili.
    A big pot of chili is a welcome sight any time of year, but especially when the weather is chilly.

    How to Serve Idaho Chili

    I am a big fan of always serving chili in big bowls. Presentation does matter, even with something as simple as chili. A big bowl allows for plenty of space for a generous helping, plus lots of room for toppings.

    A bowl of chili on a placemat with a napkin on the side of the bowl and a spoon in the chili

    I've looked and looked but can't find the exact chili bowls that I use, probably since I've had them for so many years. But I found these online and they are very similar to mine. The bowls come in handy for lots of things besides chili. I use them for soup, stew, or any one-dish dinner entree.

    A bowl of chili with shredded cheese, sour cream and jalapenos on top with a spoon on the side

    Toppings for Chili

    There are so many choices! Here are toppings popular in my family:

    • shredded cheese
    • diced onion
    • saltine crackers
    • diced jalapeno peppers
    • fresh salsa
    • diced fresh tomato
    • sour cream
    • non-fat greek yogurt
    A large pot of chili on the stove with a wooden serving spoon.
    This photo shows a double batch of my chili so the stockpot is very full. Never worry about making too much chili. Leftovers freeze well or store in the fridge and enjoy chili for several days.

    More Hearty Meal Ideas

    Idaho Chili a hearty chili recipe and making it might get you in the mood for other main meals that have a way of inspiring a cozy feeling at dinner time.

    I just love Baked Beef Burritos and like chili, there are always plenty of leftovers.

    My kids and husband often request Quick Cheeseburger Pie. It has a pat-in-the-pan crust that is fun to make and the pie really does taste like a cheeseburger.

    If you are in the mood for pasta, my Tomato-Cream Sauce is the perfect topping. It's a made-from-scratch red sauce that's easy enough to make even on a work night.

    If you tried Idaho Chili or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

    Recipe

    A large stockpot on the stove full of chili.

    Idaho Chili

    Not complicated, just hearty, thick and meaty. Make this your go-to, made-from-scratch family chili recipe! It's the perfect combination of meat, beans and a sauce that's seasoned with just the right amount of spice. Serve with Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits for a winning combination!
    5 from 86 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 626kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 1 ½ lb ground beef browned and drained
    • 1 white onion diced
    • 1 heaping tablespoon chili powder or four teaspoons of chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 2 teaspoons oregano
    • dash of cayenne pepper to taste
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 2, 14 ounce cans diced tomatoes
    • 1, 6 ounce can tomato paste
    • ⅓ cup water
    • 1, 10 ounce can original Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
    • 1, 14 ounce can chili beans
    • 1, 14 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 1, 14 ounce can Great Northern beans drained and rinsed
    • 1, 14 ounce can pinto beans drained and rinsed

    Instructions

    Stovetop Instructions

    • Brown beef in a skillet, or in a stockpot, on the stove and drain. Place the browned beef and diced onion in a large stockpot on the stove. Next add the spices and stir. Add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine. This is a hearty, thick chili and don't worry if it seems too thick at first. The liquid will come through as it simmers. Cover and bring to a low boil then simmer for about an hour, lifting the lid to stir from time to time.

    Slow Cooker Instructions

    • If you're using a slow cooker or Crockpot, brown the beef and onion in a skillet, or in a stockpot on the stove and drain. Place the browned beef and diced onion in the slow cooker, toss with the spices then add the remaining ingredients. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours. This is a hearty, thick chili and don't worry if it seems too thick at first. The liquid will come through as it simmers.

    Serve

    • This chili is delicious served with warm cornbread and honey or with tortillas and topped with grated cheese, chopped onions and sour cream.

    Notes

    The number of ounces in a can of beans may vary, depending on the brand you buy. Plan to use either 14 or 15-ounce cans of beans for this recipe. Any slight variation in the amount of beans you use will be fine and will not impact the quality of your delicious chili. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 626kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 39gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 2108mgPotassium: 1955mgFiber: 18gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 756IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 209mgIron: 10mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database and are offered here only as a guideline for informational purposes.

    Did you try this recipe? I'd love to see it! Follow @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

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    1. Cheryl says

      December 06, 2023 at 1:11 am

      5 stars
      Amazing! Made a big batch to share. Yummy.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        December 06, 2023 at 6:45 am

        Thank you Cheryl! Glad the chili turned out and I so appreciate the five star rating. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Melissa says

      October 15, 2022 at 2:54 pm

      In my family, it wouldn't be chili without beans!

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        October 15, 2022 at 4:10 pm

        Same here Melissa!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Debra says

      February 02, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely team beans! I love a good crockpot recipe and this one didn't disappoint...easy, flavorful and everyone loved it.

      Reply
    4. Maya says

      February 02, 2022 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      I love the backstory on the bean debate! I had no clue beans were a contentious ingredient, but I'm definitely pro beans in chili! Thanks for the great recipe - seems perfect for a cold February in the midwest!

      Reply
    5. Jerika says

      February 02, 2022 at 8:38 am

      Just by looking at the picture and I'm hungry already. YUM! Can't wait to eat this Idaho Chili with my family. Perfect also with my rice.:) Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Jessica says

      February 02, 2022 at 8:25 am

      I've got three growing boys to feed so dishes like this thick and hearty chili are perfect for our family. The boys were asking for seconds before I could even sit down so I'm pretty sure they liked it just as much as I did.

      Reply
    7. Gloria says

      February 02, 2022 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      I can never resist a great chili recipe. We are getting snow for the next 3 days. Time to put on a pot of chili....lots of shovelling in the forecast.

      Reply

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    Hello there, my friends! It's so great to have you here. My name is Melinda and I absolutely love home cooking. I've been creating delicious recipes for my family for over 30 years. Fun fact about me, I used to work as a TV journalist. Stick around, explore the Crinkled Cookbook, and make great meals at home!

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