Bush’s Beans celebrates 15 years of The Office with Kevin’s chili

Bush’s Beans is celebrating the 15th anniversary of “The Office” with Kevin’s chili. Do you know the secret to his famous chili?

Some of the best chili recipes have a secret ingredient. To commemorate National Chili Day on Thursday, February 27, Bush’s Beans is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the series premiere of the hit NBC sitcom The Office with Kevin Malone himself, actor Brian Baumgartner.

The most iconic chili moment in TV history (aside from Chidi’s Peeps-flavored chili in The Good Place 3.05 “Jeremy Bearimy”) came during season 5 in episode 26 of The Office, when Kevin makes a pot of his famous chili and then spills it on the floor in the cold open of “Casual Friday.”

Kevin states that the secret ingredient is under-cooking the onions, which allows the bonding of the flavors (and employees due to shared intestinal distress).

To celebrate that infamous chili moment, it is time to share that secret recipe. So Bush’s recreated the recipe with Baumgartner to celebrate the occasion. But, they do not suggest that you spill the pot of chili on the floor, the kitchen counter or yourself.

“Brian is a chili master, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate National Chili Day with him. He and Bush’s are the perfect combination to make your best chili even better.” – BJ Thomas, Bush’s Beans brand manager, said in a press release.

To make Brian’s chili, you need one can each of pinto and kidney beans, diced tomatoes and tomato paste, one pound of ground beef or turkey, two pressed or minced garlic cloves, one cup each of shallots and green peppers, one tablespoon each of butter or cooking oil, half a cup of water, a quart teaspoon of black pepper, one teaspoon each of ancho chili powder and sugar, and two teaspoons each of chili powder and oregano.

After melting the butter in a large cooking pot, saute the shallots and peppers in low heat, then add in the beef/turkey and garlic and cook until brown.

After draining the grease, stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. Finally, garnish with cheddar cheese or other toppings to taste.

“I love making chili. I really do. I consider it art,” Baumgartner said. “A little sweet, a little spicy… perfection.”

He is firmly in the camp that believes chili requires beans, of which there are many devotees. For more recipes, see the Bush’s Beans website.

After mistakenly being hired as a Dunder Mifflin accountant and a failed stint as the Scranton branch receptionist, Kevin Malone eventually opened his own bar by the series finale, which became very successful.

Baumgartner has also appeared in guest roles on a variety of shows, including Chicago Fire, Hot in Cleveland and The Goldbergs.

Are you planning on celebrating National Chili Day? If so, tag us on Twitter at @FoodSided or in your Instagram posts with the hashtag #FoodSided.