Here at Allrecipes, we love diving into meals from all different generations. From new and trending recipes such as Candied Cheez-Its and lobster pasta, to those that have withstood the test of time such as Jackie Kennedy’s lemon pound cake and Jimmy Carter’s peanut butter cookies.
Recently, we came across a unique chili recipe for fall. It wasn’t just any recipe; however, it was that of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In case you didn’t already know, Eisenhower loved to cook, even while in office. He was known to whip up steak on the White House lawn, and, being from Texas, it’s no surprise that he had a go-to chili recipe.
We instantly loved this recipe for its pantry-friendly ingredients and straightforward directions. Even better: It’s so simple, you can probably memorize it to use for years to come.
President Eisenhower’s Chili Con Carne
In the book, “Ike the Cook: Dwight D. Eisenhower: General, President, and Cook,” we get a glimpse into the former president’s kitchen adventures. Last year, food writer Ruth Reichl shared a few excerpts from the book including photos of Eisenhower wearing an apron and serving up breakfast to the staff at Camp David, a decades-old presidential retreat.
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One of the recipes Reichl included is for President Eisenhower’s Chili Con Carne. The recipe starts by heating a Dutch oven and sautéing the typical ingredients you’d find in chili recipes, such as onions and garlic, plus two pounds of beef and plenty of seasoning.
Chili Con Carne does not always include beans; however, this recipe gets some of its bulk from red beans. One important note is that this president did not approve of one specific bean commonly used in chili: kidney beans. The recipe card plainly states, “Do not use kidney beans.” While we can’t say for sure why the president advised against kidney beans, it could have something to do with their firm texture that can be overpowering in tender, slow-cooked dishes.
And as anyone who has made chili knows, it takes time to develop depth of flavor. Eisenhower’s Chili Con Carne recipe states that it must be cooked for “at least several hours,” or made the night before and reheated. So, you might want to clear your schedule if you plan to make this.
It is worth noting that this recipe does not include tomatoes. While canned tomatoes are commonly used in many chili recipes, including chicken chili, some Texas-style chili dishes omit them. Feel free to add a can of tomatoes or a spoonful of tomato paste if you prefer a tomato-based chili. But if you want to “be like Ike,” say no to kidney beans and tomatoes in this chili.
Get the Recipe: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Chili Con Carne from “Ike the Cook: Dwight D. Eisenhower: General, President and Cook”
Dining and Cooking