Presidential Chili Recipe (2024)

Calling all chili lovers, have I got a recipe for you! This Presidential Chili recipe is packed full of vibrant flavors, tender ground beef, and the right amount of spice. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, oyster crackers, or a sprinkle of sharp cheese over the top. This Presidential Chili will warm you up from the inside out.

Presidential Chili Recipe (1)

It’s National Chili Day at the end of February so this week the Friday Recipe Club is sharing our favorite chili recipes. This recipe is an interpretation of President Obama’s family chili recipe!

Homestyle Presidential Chili Recipe

Michelle had shared her husband’s recipe, and it became an instant favorite and that is why it is now called Presidential Chili. For someone who knows chili, I couldn’t pass up giving the recipe a try. It was absolutely delicious, and I think you all will love it as well if you enjoy a meaty and beany style chili.

Presidential Chili Recipe (2)

Growing up my mom often made chili. Her recipe included tomatoes, onions, ground beef, mushrooms, green pepper, kidney beans and lots of chili powder. I often make it the same way, but today I wanted to share a slight variation on the recipe. I thought why not step out and try something a bit different.

Another yummy chili recipe to try: Pumpkin Chili and Taco Chili.

Presidential Chili Recipe (3)

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I discovered it in one of my cookbooks,Make It Fast, Cook It Slow, but changed a few things. They used ground turkey where I use ground beef. They also used fresh tomatoes and I prefer to use cans of diced tomatoes.

Presidential Chili Recipe (4)

This recipe has a few different spices in it like turmeric and basil which I normally don’t put in chili. It also has a secret ingredient: red wine vinegar. Don’t knock it till you try it. It complements the flavors perfectly. I’m adding red wine vinegar to all my chili recipes from now on. It takes the chili to a whole new level of delicious!

Other Tasty Chili Recipes To Try

I told you I can’t help but leave a spot open for chili in my heart. If you want to try some unique chili recipes, here is a handful that I highly recommend! You will be glad you tried them, trust me on this!

  • White Chicken Chili
  • Southwestern Turkey 5 Bean Chili
  • Bean Chili
  • Slow Cooker Verde Chicken Chili

Different Ways to Serve Chili Besides A Bowl

Okay, some of these ideas on how to eat chili are a little out of the box. BUT, know that some people swear by eating chili this way, and it could be a dynamite combination if you give it a try!

Serve over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice| I was a little taken back when I saw this, but a lot of people love it. You will find the rice adds a new dimension to the chili. You drain off some of the broth so it is more the meat and bean mixture.

Loaded Potatoes| I love this idea, on using a potato as the base, and pouring chili into the potato and topping with cheese, sour cream, green onions, etc.

Fries| Loaded fries are a favorite. Serve up your favorite fries, add on chili, cheese, diced onions, and any other toppings and dive in.

Spaghetti Squash| I know someone who cooks up a spaghetti squash and then loads in chili on top. It is like a ‘healthy’ pasta and chili version. They swear by the combo.

Taco Salads| We have done this with leftover chili. You cut up a head of lettuce, add on your chili and taco toppings and dive in with some tortillas or Frito chips. It is so delicious.

Presidential Chili Recipe (5)

What Sides Go Best With Presidential Chili

You can totally eat this chili all by itself, and it will be delicious down to the last drop. Or you can reach for a homemade cinnamon roll, to add some sweetness. We grew up dipping fresh cinnamon rolls into our chili at school. Don’t knock it till you try it! Or go for a more savory side and do a cornbread! Both options are really delicious.

Best Toppings for Presidential Chili

While I love chili plain, I also love adding new dimensions of flavor by layering on toppings. Here are a handful of popular and tasty toppings to consider.

  • Shredded Cheese
  • Fresh Avocado
  • Oyster Crackers or Saltines
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Sour Cream
  • Fresh Tomatoes
  • Salsa
  • Splash of Hot Sauce
Presidential Chili Recipe (6)

Give this Presidential Chili recipe a try if you are looking to try a different recipe for a change from your traditional chili. While it does have a handful more ingredients, they all work together so nicely to really add dimensions.

Presidential Chili Recipe (7)

I also found that the leftovers the next day tasted even better. The flavors sat and really blended even more so the spices came out even stronger. But, I find that happens with a lot of chili recipes. So give it a try and let me know what you guys think.

You’ll also like Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Chili and Frito Chili Pie.

Have you tried out the Presidential Chili Recipe yet?

Presidential Chili Recipe (8)

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4.62 from 21 votes

Presidential Chili Recipe

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Servings 6

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

The best hearty chili recipe made with a secret ingredient! Warm up with a bowl of meaty comfort food packed with ground beef and seasoned kidney beans.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes 28oz cans
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 sweet onion chopped
  • 1 green pepper chopped
  • 1 can kidney beans 19oz can, drained
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef on the stove top. Drain the fat and add into your slow cooker.

  • Add the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine.

  • Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Serve over rice or with a slice of bread if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 993mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 12g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Soups

Cuisine American

Keyword chili, chili recipe, Presidential Chili

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Presidential Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Cocoa Powder

Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. Adding just a teaspoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder like we do in our Instant Pot Chili (pictured above) will make your go-to recipe rich and flavorful.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

How do you win a chilli contest? ›

Winning chili must look good, smell good and taste good. Because the judging process takes a couple of hours, chili must retain its color, consistency, aroma, taste and afterbite while hot, warm, lukewarm and then cool in a styrofoam judging cup. The chili should be free of grease.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

How do you make chili taste richer? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What makes chili even better? ›

Some people like their chili super spicy, but even mild spice will make your chili taste much better. Keep things subtle by soaking dried guajillo chilies in hot water for 30 minutes, pureeing the peppers and adding it to your chili. Or go a little spicier by using sliced fresh jalapenos or serrano peppers.

How to get depth of flavor in chili? ›

To enhance the flavor of your chili, brown the meat before adding it to the pot. This step not only caramelizes the meat, but gives your chili more texture, adding a depth that cannot be achieved by simply simmering it in the chili.

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

The tomato paste adds color and rich flavor to our chili. Now we have our flavorful base, you are going to finish the chili with pureed tomatoes, beef broth (or chicken broth), and beans. Beans make this chili hearty — I like pinto beans or kidney beans.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

Not Cooking It Long Enough

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili.

What is the secret to competition chili? ›

Additional Depth of Flavor

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.

What type of meat is best for chili? ›

You can really use any meat for chili, but here are the cuts that are most popular for classic chili:
  • Ground beef (80/20) ...
  • Ground sirloin (90/10) ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Short ribs. ...
  • Tri-tip sirloin. ...
  • Work with your butcher to get multiple textures. ...
  • Use multiple animals to add depth. ...
  • Go for grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
May 11, 2021

What makes the best chili meat? ›

You can really use any meat for chili, but here are the cuts that are most popular for classic chili:
  • Ground beef (80/20) ...
  • Ground sirloin (90/10) ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Short ribs. ...
  • Tri-tip sirloin. ...
  • Work with your butcher to get multiple textures. ...
  • Use multiple animals to add depth. ...
  • Go for grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
May 11, 2021

Why add vinegar to chili? ›

Acidity: Vinegar is acidic, and this acidity helps cut through the heat of the chili peppers. It balances the spiciness and prevents it from becoming overwhelming. The acidity of vinegar can help tame the intense heat and make the hot sauce more palatable.

How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

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