This Popular Illinois Version of Chilli Is Not The Best In America

It's that time of year—chili season! There are so many ways to make chili, and depending on where you are in the country, you may get chili in very different variations.  Depending on what house you are in each dad has their own "special recipe" for "Dad's famous chili".

There are 10 very distinct regional versions, and while folks in Illinois might love theirs, it doesn't top the chili list.

The Top 10 Chili Types In America

The folks at Mashed tried all these versions of chili from across America and ranked them from 10 to 1.

10 - Indiana: Hoosier Chili

Coming in last place due to the use of V8 vegetable juice and is typically served over spaghetti.  Is this even chili?

9 - Ohio: Cincinnati Chili

Once again, "chili" is served over pasta with a sweet taste as folks use cinnamon, cloves, or other sweet spices.

8 - Missouri: Kansas City Chili

If you like "dry and thick" chili with subtle seasoning then Kansas City style is your cup of chili.

7 - Michigan:  Coney Island hot dog chili

You would think "Coney Island Chili" would be from New York.  But Michigan laid claim to the chili on dogs and is now famous for it.

6 - Oklahoma:  Oklahoma Chili

Nothing fresh in Oklahoma chili.  According to Mashed, it's all about dried red chili powder and coarsely chopped meat.

4 - New Mexico:  Carne Adovada

Of course, there is a Southwest flair to New Mexico chili.  Made with marinated pork, and red chilies, and topped with sour cream and avocado.  It doesn't look like a traditional chili, but it looks tasty!

3- Louisiana: Cajun Chili

Take chili and add everything you'd expect with Cajun cuisine and you've got your Louisiana chili.  Cajun Belle peppers help give it a little extra kick for a cold winter day.

2: New Mexico: Chile Verde

Two chilis from New Mexico and neither really looks like chili.  It's made with hatch chilis and looks more like soup.  But Serious Eats gives some more ingredients and why it tastes so good.

1: Texas:  Chili Con Carne

This one shouldn't come as a surprise.  Texas and chili just go together.  But you have to do it right to make it truly authentic Texas chili no matter where you are.

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So what about Illinois chili?

5: Illinois:  Springfield Chilli

Made differently and even spelled differently Springfield Chilli is unique in many ways.

Larry Eastep, a member of the International Chili Society says the chili is made with "a lot of suet, a lot of beans, and a mild spice mix with a lot of cumin" (via Illinois Times).

Mashed says Springfield Chilli also includes ground beef cooked separately from the beans, which are then mixed in just before the dish is served.

No matter how you make your chili get the special pot ready and cook up your favorite style to warm up on a cold winter day.