Few things hit the spot on a cold or rainy day like a bowl of hearty, homemade Amish chili. This simple, home-style recipe is full of ground beef (or turkey or venison), beans, tomatoes, and just the right blend of spice. It's easy to make, incredibly filling, and ready in under an hour. A true old-fashioned family favorite!
I don't usually make soups in the summertime, but this Amish chili soup is my go-to during the winter when I need a quick, cozy meal.
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Chili & Cornbread
I always serve my chili with a side of warm cornbread. While my pot of chili is simmering, I preheat the oven and whip up a quick batch of Amish cornbread (you can find my recipe here).
Together, cornbread and chili make the ultimate comforting meal that's hearty, flavorful, and ready to enjoy in about an hour.
Ingredients
- Hamburger, ground turkey, or ground venison - The protein base. Hamburger gives richness, turkey is leaner, and venison adds a slightly gamey flavor. (Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.)
- Oil - Used for sautéing the vegetables and preventing sticking.
- Garlic - Adds aromatic depth and enhances flavor.
- Onion - Builds a flavorful base and adds sweetness and texture.
- Green pepper - Adds color, mild sweetness, and crunch.
- Chili beans - A mix of kidney, pinto, and black beans in a seasoned sauce. Adds texture, protein, and fiber. (Feel free to use whatever kind of beans you like. I like using the cans of mixed chili beans.)
- Petite diced tomatoes - Contribute acidity, a bit of texture, and a touch of sweetness while helping form a rich sauce.
- Tomato juice - Adds body and flavor, thinning the chili to the perfect consistency. (Feel free to add more or less as desired.)
- Mushrooms (optional) - Bring earthy flavor and texture.
- Black olives (optional) - Add a salty, briny contrast and visual appeal.
- Chili powder - The main spice; adjust to your preferred level of heat.
- Garlic salt, cumin, black pepper, paprika - Build warm, savory flavor and spice depth.
- Sugar - Balances the acidity of the tomatoes. (Feel free to omit.)
- Salt - Brings all the flavors together. Adjust according to personal preference.
Quick & Easy Amish Chili Soup
Using canned beans makes this chili come together fast. I always keep a few cans of mixed chili beans in my pantry for quick, last-minute meals like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! In case you've never used dried beans before, let me assure you that it is very easy to cook and use dried beans instead of canned beans. They're cheaper, create less waste, and taste wonderful when cooked from scratch. Just soak them overnight, drain, cover with fresh water, and simmer for about an hour until tender.
Nope! Feel free to use whatever beans your family enjoys. I like to use mixed chili beans simply because they give the chili more texture and character, and I add the liquid as well. But feel free to make this soup your own.
No, you don't. This was my Amish mom's recipe. She loaded her chili with all kinds of delicious additions, like peppers, sliced mushrooms, and black olives.
My kids don't exactly appreciate all the extras, plus I don't always have them on hand. So I typically make a traditional old-fashioned chili without the mushrooms and olives, but feel free to get adventurous and try adding some extras that you think might pair well.
Yes! This chili freezes beautifully. Feel free to make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for easy meals later.
Use freezer containers or you can even use washed yogurt or sour cream containers. When you need a quick dinner, thaw a container in the fridge overnight or use the microwave's defrost setting.
At home growing up, my mom used to can soups for easy meals, but freezing is much simpler and just as handy.
This is the best classic chili recipe ever, and it's so easy to make! If you try this Amish chili recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
More Amish Soup Recipes (Comfort Food)
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I have a 4-quart cooking pot that I use all the time. It's the perfect size for making a batch of chili to feed my family.
I also love using wooden spoons to stir my chili bean soup. And, of course, you need a ladle for serving chili.
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📖 Recipe Card
Amish Chili Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 ½ lb. hamburger, ground turkey, or ground venison
- 1 Tbs. oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ c. onion, chopped
- ¼ c. green pepper, chopped
- 3 cans chili beans, or you can use any beans you prefer, I like to use the mixed chili beans
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 3 - 4 c. tomato juice
- 1 c. sliced mushrooms, optional
- 1 c. black olives, optional
- 1 - 2 Tbsp. chili powder depending on how spicy you want it
- ¾ tsp. garlic salt
- ¾ tsp. cumin powder
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. sugar
- ¼ tsp. salt, or as needed to suit your taste
Instructions
- Brown, crumble and drain your hamburger.1 - 1 ½ lb. hamburger, ground turkey, or ground venison
- Put oil in large pot, add chopped garlic, onion, and pepper. Saute for a minute or two.1 Tbs. oil, 2 cloves garlic, minced, ¼ c. onion, chopped, ¼ c. green pepper, chopped
- Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.3 cans chili beans, or you can use any beans you prefer, I like to use the mixed chili beans, 1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, 3 - 4 c. tomato juice, 1 c. sliced mushrooms, optional, 1 c. black olives, optional, 1 - 2 Tbsp. chili powder, ¾ tsp. garlic salt, ¾ tsp. cumin powder, ½ tsp. black pepper, ¼ tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. sugar, ¼ tsp. salt, or as needed to suit your taste
- Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, to get all the flavor incorporated.
- Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat to enjoy.
Anna
Easy and delicious!
Sharon Parks
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your Mother’s delicious recipe.
Anna
You're welcome.
PopPop
When using canned beans in this Amish chili recipe, do you drain the canned beans before adding to the recipe?
Anna
I mostly use chili beans (and mixed chili beans), and they are in a chili sauce so I do not drain them. But when adding kidney beans, etc. I would drain them.
Doug
How many ounces of petite tomatoes do you use? 16, 32 ?
Anna
I use the 16 oz. But this recipe is very versatile, if you want more tomatoes, feel free to add a larger can.