Bj's Restaurant Brewhouse Chili by Todd Wilbur

Recreate the bold, hearty flavors of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Chili with Todd Wilbur's spot-on copycat recipe that’s perfect for cozy nights and game-day feasts. This robust chili features perfectly browned ground beef simmered with a medley of warm spices—think chili powder, cumin, and paprika—all elevated by the tangy sweetness of tomato sauce and brown sugar. A combination of light and dark kidney beans adds texture and depth, while a splash of beef broth ensures a rich, comforting base. Ready in just over an hour, this one-pot wonder is ideal for feeding a crowd, and it’s easily customizable with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or crunchy tortilla chips. Dive into this savory, slow-simmered classic for an irresistible chili experience that rivals the original. Keywords: BJ's Brewhouse chili recipe, chili with ground beef, copycat restaurant chili, easy one-pot chili, hearty chili recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 2 tablespoons Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 15 ounces Tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes (canned)
• 15 ounces Light red kidney beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 15 ounces Dark red kidney beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 medium Yellow onion (diced)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.

Step 5

Reduce the heat back to medium. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook the spices for 1 minute to bloom their flavors.

Step 6

Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juices), rinsed kidney beans, and beef broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Stir in the brown sugar, ensuring it dissolves into the chili mixture.

Step 8

Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.

Step 9

Simmer the chili for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Step 11

Serve hot with your choice of toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1128.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	682.3

Total Fat 17.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4735.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 104.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.1g	0%
Total Sugars 15.4g
Protein 31.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 239.5mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 2345.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.3%

Protein: 17.9%

Carbs: 59.8%