Inspired by winding backroads, small towns, and long Michigan winters, Michigan Backroads Country Chili celebrates simple, hearty meals made to be shared around the table.

Michigan Backroads Country Chili

Hearty Meals

$9.99

Slow-Simmered, Homestyle Chili with Pure Michigan Comfort

Inspired by winding backroads, small towns, and long Michigan winters, Michigan Backroads Country Chili is a classic, no-frills chili made for gathering around the table. This hearty, bean-based dry chili mix blends time-honored chili seasonings with a whole japones pepper for gentle warmth and rich, savory depth—nothing flashy, just honest comfort in a bowl.

Crafted with clean, shelf-stable dry ingredients, this family-sized recipe is perfect for slow Sundays, make-ahead meals, or keeping on hand for whenever comfort calls. Add ground beef and a touch of smoky bacon to turn it into a true country classic that feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition: Clean Label, Nothing Artificial, No Added Salt, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegan Friendly.
Serves: 20

Cooktime: 2 Hours

Heat: Mild

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Red Kidney Bean, Pink Bean, Cranberry Bean, Bell Pepper, Onion, Paprika, Coriander, Cumin, Celery, Garlic, Chile Pepper, Oregano, Bay Leaf, Cayenne.

Nutrition: Clean Label, Nothing Artificial, No Added Salt, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegan Friendly.

  • 1 Tbsp. oil
  • 3 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (1/2 cup) or 1/2 lb. thinly sliced pork
  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth (16 oz.)
  • 1 cup red wine

Preparing the Beans:

  1. Pick through the beans. Remove discolored, shriveled beans and any foreign material. Rinse well.
  2. Place the beans in a bowl with 8 cups water and soak for 4+ hours (ideally overnight) at room temperature. For a quicker option, boil for 10 minutes and let stand for 2 hours (no our preferred method).
  3. Drain beans and place in a 4-quart pot with 8 cups fresh water.
  4. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside until ready to use.

Preparing the Soup:

  1. In a 4-quart pot, heat oil over medium heat. Cut bacon or pork into smaller pieces and sauté in oil.
  2. Add ground beef into pot and continue to brown.
  3. Stir in contents of chili mix packet and brown sugar. For milder chili, remove one or both chile peppers.
  4. Add drained, cooked beans, tomatoes, broth, and wine to pot.
  5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 1 hour.
  6. Remove chile peppers. Salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Adaptations

Vegan

Slow Cooker

Pressure Cooker

Recipe Variations

Cooking & Nutrition Tips

LET'S GO

Product Reviews

  • 5
    Homesickness? No, it has been cured

    Posted by SusanG on Jan 19th 2026

    We moved to Germany 2 years ago from Saginaw, and a friend recently brought us several different soups, including this chili. It felt like home. My heart is in the Mitten, my mind is driving up north to a remote corner of the UP.

  • 5
    A question before making

    Posted by Selma on Jan 17th 2026

    If I want to make with ground turkey or ground chicken, can I substitute the red wine for white wine? Does the red wine go better when using beef rather than poultry or does it not matter if you use red wine with poultry? ***Anderson House Reply*** In short, yes! You can absolutely swap in white wine if you're using ground chicken or turkey. You may even prefer it. If you feel it's missing a little depth with the white wine, you can try adding a teaspoon of Worcestershire or squeeze of lime to help round out the savory profile. For the record, red wine can also be used with the turkey or chicken, you cannot miss, it will be great!

  • 5
    Michigan Ski Country Chili

    Posted by Carla Christian on Nov 13th 2025

    This soup mix is awesome! I made it with Gardein ground “meat” as I am vegan. The other changes - no bacon, and added additional red onion and red peppers because I had a few. I also added organic chopped baby carrots (for vitamin A). It was fabulous! I topped it with jalapenos, chopped red onions and guacamole. What a great product! Glad I ordered 8.

  • 5
    Michigan Ski Country Chili

    Posted by James M on Nov 12th 2024

    Several weeks ago I purchased a package of your above product. This past Saturday it was finally cold enough to make the chili. All I can say is yummo!!!!!!! My 16 year old granddaughter stopped over and watched me prepare it. After a few hours of prep and cooking we absolutely enjoyed a large bowl of the chili, along with a few slices of crispy Italian bread. I added a few extra ingredients not called for in your receipe. A heaping tsp of minced garlic; a small-medium diced onion; and an additional 1/2 cup of red wine (used a good Chianti). I soaked the beans for about 5 hours, but definitely recommend soaking them overnight. OMG - one of the best packages of chili I’ve ever eaten. Been singing its praises since Saturday. Definitely buying it again.

  • 5
    Great flavor

    Posted by L from PNW on May 5th 2024

    This mix has great flavor. We just weren’t prepared for all of the bean prep! (We don’t often cook dried beans.) We’ll make it again, just have to plan a little time for the beans. Makes a lot, more beans than meat but that’s better for you anyway.

  • 5
    Michigan Ski Chili 5/5

    Posted by Audrey Ryals & John Dooley on Jan 8th 2023

    Easy, clean recipe to throw in the crock pot. Smells delicious while cooking. Love the taste. Could add a little spice or corn. We left out the sugar. Would definitely buy again! It’s hearty & filling on it’s own but John, being from Detroit, make it into a coney dog.

(7 reviews)
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