Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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If you love the hot and delicious chili from Tim Horton’s then you’ll love this copycat recipe. This copycat Tim Horton’s chili is so easy to make at home.

Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (1)

When we lived in Canada there were Tim Horton locations every where! My friend from Ohio used to work at one while she was in college so I had heard of Tim’s before but I had never been to one. I know there are a few in the US but when we lived in Canada, I lived in walking distance of one which was really cool.

Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (2)

Besides their cookies and lemon loaf, I really liked their chili. I was pregnant with my second child and really just plain exhausted. I didn’t cook much in those days since we had moved internationally and I had a 10 month old. I would load my son up in his stroller and grab lunch or goodies from Tim Horton’s more than I should have. Now that we are back in Texas, we don’t have a Tim’s so of course I had to make a copycat recipe for their chili.

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients needed
  • 🥣 How to make
  • 🍲 Can you make this in a slow cooker?
  • 🥡 How to store leftovers
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips for this recipe
  • Copycat Tim Horton’s Chili

🥘 Ingredients needed

Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (3)

For this recipe, you will need:

  • Ground beef: I used a lean variety.
  • White onion: You’ll need one small white onion.
  • Celery: You’ll need just one stalk of celery.
  • Green bell pepper: Green peppers just like the original.
  • Canned kidney beans: You’ll need one can of kidney beans (540 ml or about 16 to 18 ounces depending on the brand)
  • Canned mushrooms: Or you can also use fresh if that’s what you have on hand. You’ll need one small can of mushrooms.
  • Tomato paste: You’ll need two tablespoons of tomato paste.
  • Canned diced tomatoes: Don’t discard the juice, you will want to add it to the chili too.
  • Chili powder, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika: To season the chili.
  • Salt and pepper: I recommend doing salt and pepper to taste.
  • White wine vinegar: Or white vinegar also works. This will mellow out the chili.
  • Water: You will also need about one cup of water.

🥣 How to make

Begin by browning your ground beef and draining the fat in a large skillet. Next, in a large pot add one tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Saute over medium heat until the onions become translucent.

Add in the ground beef, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes with their juices. Drain and then rinse your kidney beans and drain your canned mushrooms. Add them to the mix.

Add the spices, sugar, and white wine vinegar. Stir well. Add about one cup of water.

Cook on low heat and let simmer for at least two hours.

🍲 Can you make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can absolutely make this recipe in a slow cooker. Brown and drain the fat from your ground beef. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours in your slow cooker.

🥡 How to store leftovers

Store any leftovers in your refrigerator in an airtight container. Leftovers will be good for up to four days after making.

If desired, you can also freeze leftovers. I prefer to freeze them in a large freezer safe plastic storage bag (such as Ziplock). Remove any excess air before freezing.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips for this recipe

  • Let your chili simmer for awhile. The longer it simmers the better flavor it will have.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

How healthy is Tim Horton’s chili?

Tim Horton’s chili is loaded with lean ground beef and plenty of fiber from the beans. It is a hearty and healthy recipe.

What cheese does Tim Horton’s use?

They used shredded cheddar cheese.

Other recipes that you might like:

  • The BIG List of Tim Horton’s Drinks
  • Amish Chili
  • Copycat Wendy’s Chili in the Crockpot
  • Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  • Kid Friendly Instant Pot Chili
  • Copycat McAlister’s Chili
  • Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
  • Slow Cooker Bison Chili

If you tried this Copycat Tim Horton’s Chili or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!

Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (12)

Copycat Tim Horton’s Chili

Audrey

If you love the hot and delicious chili from Tim Horton's then you'll love this copycat recipe. This copycat Tim Horton's chili is so easy to make at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Canadian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 346 kcal

Equipment

  • Large cooking pot

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef about 450 grams
  • 1 can kidney beans about 540 ml or about 16 to 18 ounces depending on the brand
  • 1 rib celery (one single piece from a bunch) ends removed, finely diced
  • 1 small white onion finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 can mushrooms (small can) drained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (540 ml or 16 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar or substitute white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Begin by browning your ground beef and draining the fat in a large skillet.

  • Next, in a large pot add one tablespoon of cooking oil.

  • Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Saute over medium heat until the onions become translucent.

  • Add in the ground beef, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes with their juices. Drain and then rinse your kidney beans and drain your canned mushrooms. Add them to the mix.

  • Add the spices, sugar, and white wine vinegar. Stir well. Add about one cup of water.

  • Cook on low heat and let simmer for at least two hours.

Notes

I did my best to add the Canadian measurements, please correct me if I’m off as it has been a few years since I was an American living in Canada.

To make this in your slow cooker:

Brown and drain the fat from your ground beef. Add to your slow cooker then add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 22gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 218mgPotassium: 766mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1560IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 4mg

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Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (13)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy

    Do you know if this recipe can be pressure canned? Would love to keep this in the pantry as quite often Timmy’s is sold out by dinner. Thanks
    Wendy C

    Reply

  2. Monz

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (14)
    Timmy H’s chili rocks. My husband loved your recipe but it doesn’t taste anything like the original. We did a side by side taste comparison. This recipe is far spicier and much drier. Think I’ll try it again and use 1 can of undiluted tomato soup instead of the paste, add a little more water, and back off on the chili pepper to see if we can get a little closer.

    Reply

  3. Glenn

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (15)
    Spot on. Ingredients are so easy to put together. Will definitely keep this as my go to chilli recipe! Thank you for sharing😋😋😋

    Reply

    • Audrey

      I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for taking time to leave a comment.

      Reply

  4. Katie Youngs

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (16)
    Chili is one of my all-time favorite meals. This one sounds so delicious!

    Reply

  5. Toni

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (17)
    This is now a staple at my house! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  6. Agnieszka

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (18)
    Just like Tim Horton’s! Truly exceptional.

    Reply

  7. Pam Greer

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (19)
    Everyone said this is way better than my usual chili recipe! It’s a keeper!

    Reply

  8. Elizabeth

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (20)
    So yummy! Will definitely make again!

    Reply

  9. Leslie

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (21)
    This chili is a winner!

    Reply

  10. Jill

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (22)
    Sounds so comforting and perfect for these wintery nights!

    Reply

  11. Jerika

    Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (23)
    Looks so delish!:) Can’t wait to pair this up with my rice. Yum! Thanks!:)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Copycat Tim Horton's Chili Recipe {easy copycat recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Tim Hortons chili? ›

Diced Tomatoes (tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid), Water, Ground Beef, Rehydrated Red Beans (red Beans, Water), White Mushrooms, Green Bell Peppers, Wheat Flour, Celery, Concentrated Tomato Paste, Sugars (sugar, Dextrose), Textured Soy Protein, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Onion ...

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.

Where does Tim Hortons chili come from? ›

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

How to make homemade chili more flavorful? ›

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.

Is Tim Horton chili 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.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

17 Best Tips To Know That Will Elevate Your Next Batch Of Chili
  • Stir in cocoa powder. ...
  • Brown your meat. ...
  • Up the umami with soy sauce. ...
  • Mix in balsamic vinegar. ...
  • Bring the campfire indoors with liquid smoke. ...
  • Select your beans carefully. ...
  • Stir in masa harina for thicker chili. ...
  • Pucker up for pickling liquids.
Jan 8, 2023

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.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Is Tim Hortons owned by Wendy's? ›

Wendy's bought Tim Hortons in 1995 for $425 million.

What is America's version of Tim Hortons? ›

They say "America Runs on Dunkin'" but a different coffee chain fuels their neighbours just across the border. Tim Hortons is an iconic Canadian restaurant known for its double doubles, smile cookies, and hockey roots.

What is Tim Hortons called in the US? ›

The company is branded as Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop in the U.S.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste may come in a small can (or tube), but it packs a powerful punch and is an essential flavor building block for dishes like chili and beef stew.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Does Tim Hortons chili contain pork? ›

According to Tim Hortons description of their chili it has 'ground beef blended with kidney beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, onion and celery' so I think this recipe is very close to the real thing.

What does chili contain? ›

Chili peppers are known to be one of the major sources of carotenoids, precursors of vitamin A and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). They contain high levels of carotenoids and L-ascorbic acid at maturity, having 0.33–336 RE/100 g RDA for provitamin A and 124–338% of the vitamin C activity [12].

Is Tim Hortons chili low carb? ›

Tim Hortons Hot Bowls Chili (10 fl oz) contains 23g total carbs, 20g net carbs, 17g fat, 20g protein, and 310 calories.

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."

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