Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (2024)

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This Tim Hortons chili recipe makes a wonderful copycat of the original. Serve this to your family and friends and they’ll crave it for days!

I never go to Tim Hortons without ordering their signature chili. Sure, I also love their lemon loaf and cookies, but nothing beats a bowl of hot chili on a chilly day.

Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (1)

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Complete with ground beef, kidney beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a ton of spices and seasonings, this chili is the stuff of legends.

And yes, it tastes almost just like the original.

It turns out, replicating Tim Hortons chili isn’t at all that hard. Thanks to this recipe, I don’t anymore have to visit the chain whenever I’m in the mood for it.

Oh, and it freezes well, too. That means you can whip up a large batch, store the leftovers, and take it out anytime. Yes to chili all day, every day!

How to Make Tim Hortons Chili Recipe

Start by browning the beef in a skillet. I like to use olive oil, as it adds a nice flavor to the beef, but any oil with a high smoke point works, too.

Once the beef is no longer pink, transfer it into a large pot. Use a slotted spoon to drain the meat. You want the grease to stay in the pan.

Next, cook the vegetables in the same pan with the drippings from the ground beef. Stir for 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

Then, throw all of the ingredients into the pot of ground beef.

Mix them well but be careful not to squish the beans.

Cover the pot and let it simmer over medium heat for 1 hour.

Stir it occasionally to prevent it from scorching at the bottom. Remove the lid and let it simmer for another 30 minutes.

Pour the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite chili toppings. Enjoy!

Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (2)

Ingredients

  • Ground Beef – Don’t use fatty ground beef, thinking it’ll be more flavorful. You’ll want it to have a lean/fat ratio of 80/20 for the best flavor rich, but not greasy.
  • Olive Oil – To brown the beef with.
  • Diced Onions, Celery, and Green Pepper – This trio of vegetables add so much color, flavor, and texture to the chili.
  • Dark Red Kidney Beans – Chili isn’t chili without the beans. Use the canned kind so it cooks faster.
  • Mushroom – For an extra meaty and earthy flavor. Either fresh or canned works.
  • Tomato Soup and Diced Tomatoes – Canned is fine here, too. Don’t discard the juice!
  • Chili Powder, Oregano, Salt, Pepper, Granulated Sugar, Garlic – A good bowl of chili is one that’s seasoned perfectly.

Can I Freeze the Chili?

Absolutely, which is why you can double the recipe and save the rest for another day.

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Before freezing, allow the chili to cool completely to room temperature.

Transfer it into freezer-safe containers. I like to use Ziploc bags so I can lay them flat and pile them on top of each other.

Don’t forget to label the bags! Frozen chili will last for up to 4 to 6 months.

To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Microwave it until warmed through.

Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (3)

Tips and Tricks for the Best Chili

  • Use 80/20 ground beef. You might think it’s more ideal to add a fatty beef in there for more flavor, but nope. All you get is a greasier chili, and no one wants that. 80/20 is just the right ratio between lean and fatty.
  • Adjust the spices according to your taste. You can also flavor your chili with whatever spices and seasonings you can think of. As long as you stick to flavors you like, you won’t go wrong.
  • A little bit of cocoa powder or unsweetened chocolate goes a long way. It won’t make your chili taste like chocolate, I promise. It only deepens the flavor of the chili even more.
  • Substitute a bit of the canned tomatoes for good-quality ketchup like Heinz. The sweetness of the ketchup will cover up the acidity of the tomatoes and chili powder, giving the chili a more balanced flavor.
  • Because it contains a ton of beans, this chili is already thick even without a thickener. But if you want to know how to thicken chili, just make a starch slurry. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with some of the liquid in the chili until dissolved. Pour it back into the pot and stir. The chili will start to thicken in just a few minutes.
  • If you don’t want to use a slurry, reserve a portion of beans, puree it, and add it to the chili while it simmers. It’ll thicken it up nicely.
  • For a deeper flavor, slow cook the chili. Instead of a regular pot, combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8. It makes for a great make-ahead dish.
  • As delicious as chili is on its own, it’s not complete without the toppings. Sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, bacon bits – the options are endless.
  • Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days. Be sure they’re well-covered.
Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (4)

Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version)

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American

Servings

15-30

servings

Cooking time

1

hour

30

minutes

Calories

237

kcal

On a chilly day, this Tim Horton’s chili recipe will hit the spot! Learn how to make the easy recipe, plus, get tips for the very best chili.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 2-3 onions, diced

  • 3 celery ribs, sliced

  • 1 green pepper, diced

  • 1 (19-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

  • 2 (10-ounce) cans mushroom pieces, drained and chopped

  • 2 (10-ounce) cans tomato soup, undiluted

  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder, divided

  • 1 teaspoon oregano

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced or 3 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and mix in the beef. Stir constantly until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef into a large pot without draining.
  • In the same frying pan, combine the onion, celery, and green pepper and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season it with a bit of chili powder.
  • Add the vegetables to the ground beef. Gently mix in the kidney beans, mushrooms, tomato soup, and canned tomatoes, careful not to squish the beans. Season with the remaining chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic. Stir well to coat all the ingredients.
  • Cover the pot and simmer over medium heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid and simmer for 30 more minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. Serve and enjoy!
Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (5)

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Tim Hortons Chili Recipe (Copycat Version) (2024)

FAQs

What is Tim Hortons chili made of? ›

Our rich, flavourful chili blends a variety of ingredients including ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, mushroom, green peppers, onion and celery.

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

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

Is Tim Horton chilli healthy? ›

A cup of chili makes our list of the healthiest items on the Tim Hortons menu for several reasons. It contains plenty of protein and fiber to constitute a balanced meal, and it is also relatively low in carbs for those who watch their intake.

Does Tim Hortons sell chili in a can? ›

Tim Hortons soups and chili are prepared in Canada and available in cans, ready to serve whatever craving.

Did McDonald's buy Tim Hortons recipe? ›

Question: Is it true that McDonald's coffee is Tim Horton's original Blend from a few years back? No, it is not. However, McDonald's coffee in Canada is supplied by Mother Parker's, who used to supply Tim Horton's, until Tim Horton's built their own roasting facility.

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 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 adds depth of flavor to chili? ›

Try adding spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cayenne, or even chipotle.

What sweetener does Tim Hortons use? ›

Getting the most out of your Tim Hortons order

If you love sweetened coffee but are looking for an option with a smaller Points value than granulated sugar, try adding a zero Points sweetener such as Stevia, light agave or Splenda (which is used by Tim Hortons.) Remember, you can also ask for half a sugar!

Can you freeze Tim Hortons chili? ›

Chili can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight. Freezes well too so would be good OAMC recipe. Prep time, cooking time, and servings are estimates."

What is Tim Hortons famous for? ›

Tim Hortons' first stores offered only two products – coffee and donuts. Aside from its coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and donuts, the menu now contains a number of other baked goods, such as bagels – of which the brand sells one out of every two in the Canadian food service industry.

What are the ingredients in Tim Hortons chili soup? ›

WATER, DICED TOMATOES (TOMATOES, TOMATO JUICE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID), GROUND BEEF, RED BEANS, WHITE MUSHROOMS, GREEN BELL PEPPERS, WHEAT FLOUR, CONCENTRATED TOMATO PASTE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SUGARS (SUGAR, DEXTROSE), TEXTURED SOY PROTEIN, SALT, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, ONION POWDER, JALAPEÑO PEPPER, SPICES, ...

How long does Tim Hortons serve chili? ›

Our baked and grilled goods are available from 6am until 10pm and our soups/sandwiches/wedges/chili etc 10am until 10pm.

Did Wendy's sell Tim Hortons? ›

1976 - The Timbit is launched. 2006 - Wendy's spins Tim Hortons off as its own separate company again, and is listed on the TSX. 2014 - Burger King acquires Tim Hortons for $12.5B, funded by 3G Capital, which owns 71% of Burger King. The new parent company is called Restaurant Brands International (RBI).

What part of the cow is chili meat? ›

Texas Chili - Chuck

Most chili lovers will tell you that this is the ideal cut of meat for stew and chili. Chuck is initially a very tough cut of beef, but when you consider the fact chuck is highly marbled, it turns out this is perfect for the low-and-slow way to cook the perfect Texas chili.

What does real chili contain? ›

The ICS defines Traditional Red Chili as "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed."

What is white chili made of? ›

Here are the Ingredients for the White Chicken Chili:

Cans - Cannellini Beans, Northern White Beans, Pinto Beans, Sweet Yellow Corn, White Corn, Green Chiles. Olive Oil. Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt. Chicken Broth.

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