Spice Up Your Day with Brooking's Chili!
Hearty chili delights — heat, flavor, and fun in every bite!
BROOKING'S CHILI HISTORY
Meet Brooking's Chili!
Hey Yall! At Brooking's Chili, we're all about bringing you the boldest, most authentic chili flavors that turn any meal into a home-cooked delight. Our secret? High-quality ingredients and a pinch of love in every batch. Dive in and spice up your life today!
If you were around Lexington before 1991, you remember Brooking's Restaurant on Euclid Avenue — that little spot where Coach Adolph Rupp had his regular booth and ate the same incredible chili for two decades.
When Brooking's Restaurant closed in 1991, the recipe didn't disappear. John Dance purchased the original recipe directly from the Brooking family and spent decades perfecting the spice blend to recreate the exact taste Coach Rupp loved.
Now, you can order this legendary chili mix online — with larger quantities available for home use, gifts, fundraising, or your own restaurant.
The best of the bluegrass - Bring a bowl of kentucky history to your table tonight!
Original recipe
IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!
2 lbs Ground Chuck (don't brown it)
1 serving Brooking's Chili Spice Mix
½ cup Sweet Onion, finely chopped
2⅔ cups Warm Water
1 can (15 oz.) Tomato Puree
1 can (15.5 oz.) Red Kidney Beans WITH juice
Start with the meat
Separate 2 lbs of ground chuck into small pieces. The secret: don't brown the meat first — this is what makes Brooking's unique.
Add the magic
Mix in your Brooking's Chili Spice Mix and ½ cup finely chopped sweet onion. This is where the legendary flavor starts.
Add water and cook
Stir in 2⅔ cups warm water. Mix thoroughly and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add tomatoes
Stir in one 15 oz. can of tomato puree and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring often.
Finish with beans
Add one 15.5 oz. can of red kidney beans along with their juice. Stir well — you're done!
get your chili now
The legendary Brooking's Restaurant chili recipe, preserved since 1936, is now available online for the first time.