🌶️ Momma's West Virginia Chili
A Family Recipe from Hundred, WV – Now for Your Table
📌 In This Guide
🌶️ A Taste of Hundred, West Virginia
This is the chili that made 55 gallons – a family recipe from Hundred, West Virginia. Passed down through generations, it's the perfect balance of meat, beans, and spices. It's thick enough for chili dogs, rich enough for a bowl, and made with love.
🏔️ The Heritage: "We made 55 gallons of chili yesterday using my momma's recipe, she's from Hundred, West Virginia." – This recipe is a piece of Appalachian history.
📦 Ingredients
For Momma's West Virginia Chili
- 🥩 2 lbs ground beef – Or venison for WV flavor
- 🧅 1 large onion – Diced
- 🧄 4 cloves garlic – Minced
- 🍅 1 large can crushed tomatoes – 28 oz
- 🫘 2 cans kidney beans – Drained and rinsed
- 🫘 1 can pinto beans – Drained and rinsed
- 🌶️ ¼ cup chili powder
- 🌿 1 tbsp cumin
- 🌿 1 tsp oregano
- 🌶️ ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
- 🧂 Salt and pepper – To taste
- 💧 1 cup beef broth
- 🍬 1 tbsp brown sugar
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Meat
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic over medium-high heat. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
Add the Spices
Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
Add Tomatoes & Broth
Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer.
Simmer
Simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the better the flavor.
Add Beans & Sugar
Stir in kidney beans, pinto beans, and brown sugar. Simmer for another 30 minutes.
Adjust & Serve
Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot with your favorite toppings or on chili dogs.
📊 Batch Sizes
Scaling the Recipe
- 1️⃣ 1x recipe: Perfect for a family dinner (~4-5 quarts)
- 2️⃣ 2x recipe: Great for a party or small gathering
- 5️⃣ 5x recipe: Ideal for a large crowd or church supper
- 🔟 11x recipe: The 55-gallon batch – like Momma made!
📄 Momma's West Virginia Chili – Full Recipe
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║ MOMMA'S WEST VIRGINIA CHILI ║
║ A Family Recipe from Hundred, WV ║
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INGREDIENTS:
- 2 lbs ground beef (or venison)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained
- 1 can pinto beans, drained
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Brown meat with onion and garlic
2. Add spices, cook 2-3 minutes
3. Add tomatoes and broth, bring to boil
4. Simmer 1-2 hours
5. Add beans and brown sugar
6. Simmer 30 minutes
7. Adjust seasonings
8. Serve hot!
"55 gallons of chili using my momma's recipe,
she's from Hundred, West Virginia." 🌶️🏔️
🍲 How to Serve Momma's Chili
- 🌭 Chili Dogs – The West Virginia way with mustard, onions, and coleslaw
- 🍲 Bowl of Chili – With crackers or cornbread
- 🌮 Frito Pie – Over Fritos with cheese
- 🍝 Chili Spaghetti – Over spaghetti noodles
- 🧀 Chili Cheese Fries – Over fries with cheese
- 🥚 Chili Mac – Mixed with macaroni and cheese
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use venison instead of beef?
Yes! Venison is common in West Virginia and adds a wonderful, rich flavor.
❓ Why is this called West Virginia chili?
It's a family recipe from Hundred, West Virginia – a small Appalachian town with a rich food tradition.
❓ How long does this chili last?
Refrigerated: 5-7 days. Frozen: up to 3 months.
❓ Can I make this chili without beans?
You can, but beans are traditional in this recipe. They add texture and heartiness.
❓ What makes this chili special?
It's a family recipe passed down through generations, made with love and West Virginia pride.
❓ Can I use this chili for chili dogs?
Absolutely! It's thick enough to stay on the dog and full of flavor.
❓ How do I make 55 gallons of chili?
Multiply this recipe by 11 – just like Momma did!
❓ What's the secret ingredient?
Love and a little brown sugar to balance the heat.
📋 A WV Legacy
- ☐ Momma's West Virginia Chili – Made with love
- ☐ From Hundred, WV – A piece of Appalachian history
- ☐ Perfect for chili dogs, bowls, and more
- ☐ Shared with family and friends – just like Momma would
© HeritageKeepers — Momma's West Virginia Chili | A Family Recipe 🌶️
❤️ "We made 55 gallons of chili yesterday using my momma's recipe, she's from Hundred, West Virginia." – A taste of home.

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