Chili may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Disney, but it was one of Walt Disney’s favorite meals! And now, thanks to the Disney Family, you can make Walt’s Chili!
Walt’s Chili was introduced by Disney years ago, and now is the perfect opportunity to make it at home with the family!
Even though the chili takes some time to prepare, the end product will be well worth it!
Walt was a Midwestern child with a Midwestern appetite, so he stuck to conventional “meat and potatoes” cuisine, according to the Walt Disney Archives. “He liked basic foods. He loved chili” his wife Lillian recalled. He was a big fan of chili.” Walt enjoyed eating this favorite cuisine at high-end restaurants such as the legendary Chasen’s in Beverly Hills, but he was equally content eating it at home. His favorite homemade version was a blend of Gebhardt’s and Dennison’s canned chili. Aside from canned chili, Walt preferred fresh chili at home and at the Disney studio Commissary. The recipe below, which dates back to 1958, is from a file labeled “Walt’s Favorite Foods” in the Walt Disney Archives.
So wrap yourself up under your favorite blanket, slot in your favorite Disney movie, and relax with the perfect comfort food—Walt style!
For more information on Walt’s favorite foods check out Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food.

Prep Time | 20 minutes |
Cook Time | 5 Hours |
Passive Time | 24 Hours |
Servings |
servings
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- 2 lbs. coarse ground beef
- 2 Onions sliced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. Dry mustard
- 1 large can solid pack tomatoes
- 2 lbs. dry pink beans
- Salt
Ingredients
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- Soak beans overnight in cold water.
- Drain, add water to cover (2 inches over beans), and simmer with onions until tender (about 4 hours).
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by browning meat and minced garlic in oil.
- Add remaining ingredients, and simmer for 1 hour.
- When beans are tender, add sauce to beans and simmer for 1/2 hour.
Check out this book for more information on Walt's favorite foods: Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food.
For Extra Zest, add a pinch of the following spices:
- 1 little yellow Mexican chili pepper
- Coriander seeds
- Turmeric
- Chili seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Fennel seeds
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Dry ginger
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