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Walt’s chili and beans! If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing a bit of Disney magic to your kitchen, this Disneyland-inspired recipe is the perfect place to start. Walt Disney wasn’t one for overly spicy or complex dishes; he preferred meals that were hearty, simple, and satisfying. One of his favorite meals was Chili and Beans, a dish that’s been served at Carnation Café in Disneyland Park for decades.
The original Disney recipe for this chili dates back to around 1958, with several variations found in the Walt Disney Archives. Over the years, Disney chefs have refined and elevated this beloved dish, adding a subtle, spicy kick that wasn’t part of the original. Today, you can recreate this nostalgic dish at home with this copycat recipe straight from Disneyland. Just don’t forget to serve it with saltine crackers—just the way Walt liked it! Or, you can serve it with a crusty loaf of bread, just the way I like it!
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Walt’s Chili and Beans – A Classic Disneyland Recipe
Special Equipment Needed:
To make Walt’s Chili and Beans, you’ll need some basic kitchen tools:
- Dutch Oven or Large Heavy Pot: Essential for browning the meat and simmering the chili slowly to develop rich flavors.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for breaking up the ground beef and stirring the ingredients.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: To accurately measure spices, liquids, and ingredients.
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping the vegetables like onions, green peppers, and tomatoes.
Now that you’ve got everything ready, let’s dive into the recipe!
Walt’s Chili and Beans – Copycat Recipe from Carnation Café at Disneyland Park
Enjoy a taste of Disneyland at home with this delicious copycat recipe for Walt’s Chili and Beans, served at the famous Carnation Café. Perfect for a hearty family meal or a nostalgic Disney-inspired dinner.
Serves: 6 to 8
Ingredients Walt’s Chili and Beans:
- 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 3/4 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium green pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons beef base
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- Coarse salt, to taste
For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 small tomatoes, diced
Directions Walt’s Chili and Bean:
- Brown the Stew Meat:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add the stew meat and sauté for 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned on all sides. Remove the stew meat and set aside. - Sauté Vegetables:
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Dutch oven and heat for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the diced onions and green pepper, sautéing for 8 to 10 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute, until fragrant. - Cook the Ground Beef:
Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking up large chunks with a spoon, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess fat. - Combine Ingredients:
Return the browned stew meat to the Dutch oven. Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, tomato paste, fresh diced plum tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, beef base, and water. - Simmer:
Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for 3 hours, allowing the stew meat to become tender and flavorful. - Add Beans:
Stir in the pinto beans and let the chili simmer for an additional 10 minutes, just until the beans are warmed through. Season with salt to taste. - Serve and Garnish:
Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. Serve hot and enjoy!
Conclusion
This Disney-inspired recipe is more than just a bowl of chili—it’s a taste of history, a comforting reminder of Walt Disney’s love for hearty, simple meals. Whether you’re a fan of Disneyland food or just love Disney recipes in general, this dish is the perfect way to enjoy a piece of Disney magic at home.
It’s a classic recipe with a little extra kick, giving you the chance to experience one of Walt’s favorite dishes in your own kitchen. Walt’s Chili is going to make you feel like you’re back at Disneyland enjoying a little slice of history!
So the next time you’re looking to enjoy a bit of Disney-inspired food, whip up this warm and filling bowl of Walt’s Chili and Beans. You’ll be recreating a classic piece of Disney history—one bite at a time!
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Walt’s Chili and Beans – A Classic Disneyland Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Olive oil, divided
- ¾ Pounds Beef stew meat
- 1 Small Onion, diced
- 1 Medium Green pepper, diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon Ground cumin
- 1½ Tablespoons Chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon Onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon Cayenne pepper optional
- 3 Tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 Plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 28(ounce) Can diced tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons Beef base
- 1½ Cups Water
- 1 14.5 ounce Can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- Coarse salt, to taste
For Garnish
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Brown the Stew Meat: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add the stew meat and sauté for 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned on all sides. Remove the stew meat and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Dutch oven and heat for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the diced onions and green pepper, sautéing for 8 to 10 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute, until fragrant.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking up large chunks with a spoon, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess fat.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the browned stew meat to the Dutch oven. Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, tomato paste, fresh diced plum tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, beef base, and water.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for 3 hours, allowing the stew meat to become tender and flavorful.
- Add Beans: Stir in the pinto beans and let the chili simmer for an additional 10 minutes, just until the beans are warmed through. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. Serve hot and enjoy!
Hey there!
I'm Melissa, your Disney vacation aficionado and full-time mom to four. Whether it's sipping Diet Dr. Pepper or sharing unbeatable Disney planning tips, I'm all about adding a touch of magic to everyday life. Let me help turn your Disney dreams into reality with insider advice and customized planning strategies. Join me on this magical journey and make every Disney adventure unforgettable! Read more...
