What is the secret to amazing chili?

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor . Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

What adds the most flavor to chili?

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe. Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ... Liquid Smoke. ... Brine or Vinegar. ... Soy Sauce. ... Fish Sauce. ... Worcestershire Sauce. ... Coffee or Espresso Powder. ... Chocolate. More items... Aug 23, 2021

How to make chili taste more like chili?

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination . If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Is it better to make chili the night before?

The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together. In fact, chili is just the kind of thing you want to make a day ahead: it gets better with a night in the fridge . For the record, we always say yes to toppings: onions, scallions, cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

What ingredient will change your chili forever?

Another ingredient that will change your chili forever is chocolate. It balances out the spicy edge with its signature bittersweet tone. Together, they infuse the chili with a unique complexity. It's a taste sensation like no other, weaving together contrasting elements that still work in perfect harmony.

What is the best liquid for chili?

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer .

What is the most important spice in chili?

Spices: Freshly ground cumin is a must. If it's not fresh, then don't bother. Secret Ingredients & Technique: I like extra hot chili, so I round up all spicy ingredients. I cool it down by piling on lots of fresh fixins' including scallions, cilantro, and sour cream.

What not to put in chili?

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot?

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer .

Why do you put celery in chili?

Stirring it in with the spices, onion, celery, and garlic ensures it breaks up as it cooks slowly . There's yet another slow step in this recipe, coming after the tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers and beans have been added: make sure to stir your pot every so often over the next two hours.

Why add baking soda to chili?

Ground Beef: Provides the hearty meaty base for the chili. Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish's overall flavor and texture. And don't stress about the fat—post-cooking, it's easy to skim off any excess. Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent .

Why would you put vinegar in chili?

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang . Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

What gives chili its kick?

Canned tomatoes with green chiles, chili powder, ground black pepper and cayenne all add varying amounts of heat to the chili. If you want to really turn things up, use hot chili powder and the full amount of cayenne pepper. Also, make sure your spices are fresh.

15 Fantastic Chili Recipes for Next-Level Comfort Food (2024)

Buh-bye, basic beans! Give cold weather food a makeover with unorthodox—but incredible—chili recipes featuring turkey, pumpkin, and even chocolate.

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How to Make Chili 15 Fantastic Ways

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Everybody has that go-to chili recipe they whip out every winter, usually right after they've cleaned off their crock-pot. And though that traditional bowl surely hits the spot on a chilly evening (no pun intended), it's really nothing new. That's why we've decided to mix it up with 15 unorthodox methods for making chili that are sure to blow your fuzzy socks off.

From white chicken to butternut squash chipotle, turkey to tofu, the ingredients in these tasty recipes will spice up every Sunday football and snowy evening. Plus, with vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and gluten-free options, even the pickiest eaters can partake. (Love your crockpot? Get more use out of it with these Savory Slow Cooker Recipes.)

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Crockpot Carne Asada Beer Chili

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What do you get when you cross a steak taco with a bowl of chili? A fit-for-a-king crockpot chili from Half Baked Harvest that's well worth the six hours it takes to cook and simmer. Despite the name, you'll only taste a hint of beer—the recipe contains tons of other delicious ingredients you'd never guess at, such as apple butter and cacao powder. (You can get more use out of your crock pot with one of these 15 Savory Crock Pot Recipes.)

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Buffalo Chickpea and Bulgur Chili

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For your next Sunday football gathering, skip the messy wings in favor of a buffalo flavored chili recipe from Naturally Ella. Buffalo sauce and blue cheese make this a vegetarian comfort food dish all your guests will enjoy.

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Super Healthy Pumpkin Turkey Chili

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There are so many hidden vegetables in this pumpkin-based turkey chili from Jeanette's Healthy Living and, according to the blogger chef, "no one will ever know" thanks to the nutritious, flavorful sauce made with chipotle, oregano, and tomatoes.

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Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

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Smoky and savory, this black bean sweet potato chili recipe from What's Gaby Cooking revolves around the fall's prized superfood—the sweet potato—and features quinoa, tomatoes, cumin, and other nutritious ingredients that make it a naturally satisfying dish. With straightforward instructions, you'll learn how to make chili in a cinch.

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Slow-Cooker Pulled-Pork Chili with Cornbread Dumplings

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Serious Eats knows how to make chili! If the tender pork shoulder, rich, layered sauce, and buttery beans weren't mouthwatering enough, Morgan Eisenberg tops this savory slow-cooker chili with moist cornbread dumplings for a tasty and utterly unique recipe you'll forget was modeled off traditional stew.

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One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

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Combine two of the best comfort foods into a stellar creation that's sure to satisfy everyone at your dinner table. The aptly-named Damn Delicious blog makes this chili dish easy to prepare in only 30 minutes. Consider it your secret weapon for stressful days when you're craving something delicious but too tired and hungry to spend eternity over the stove.

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Tequila and Lime Turkey Chili

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This recipe sounds like something you'd take out of a shotglass—and it's just as intoxicating. Seasoned with several types of chili powder, chipotle, honey, cilantro, and, yes, tequila, this chili recipe from Pixelated Crumb tastes great with tortilla chips (or a margarita!)

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Creamy White Chicken Chili

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Consider this white chicken chili from Serious Eats traditional chili's creamier cousin. White beans, green chiles, tender chicken breasts, and grated cheese mingle into a cool weather stew that's a nice change from more tomato-based chili recipes.

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Triple Chocolate Beef and Bean Chili

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Soup is obviously a warming food, but so is chocolate. Cacao, semisweet chocolate, and chocolate stout beer add sweetness and depth to this rich beef chili from Saveur for an ideal cool weather meal.

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Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado

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Vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free eaters alike will love this butternut squash chili recipe from Cookie and Kate. The blog even gives instructions for thinning out the dish for those who want a less hearty meal.

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Queso Crockpot Chicken Chili with Roasted Corn and Jalapeño

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Eaten alone or as a dip, this creative queso chicken chili recipe from Pinch of Yum is "Tex-Mex à la crockpot." So if you love cheese, southwest and Mexican cuisine, consider this chili your new go-to comfort food.

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Southwest Chicken Chili

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Adding corn for texture and jalapeño for zest, Laura McNamara of Simply Scratch turns her favorite store-bought stew into chicken chili with a kick. Sprinkle on some cheese, sour cream, and/or tortilla chips to up that southwestern flair.

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Spicy Tofu Chili

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Because meat-eaters shouldn't be the only ones who get to enjoy chili during football Sundays, Tiny Green Mom concocted this spicy tofu chili for vegetarians. When cooked according to the instructions, the tofu takes on a meaty texture that any hungry football fan will appreciate.

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Slow Cooked Hatch Pepper Chili

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Broiled New Mexican chiles make The View from Great Island's slow cooked pepper chili different from typical jalapeño-based recipes. But Hatch chiles can be hard to find, making this dish extra special.

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Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

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Deeming this "The Best Turkey Chili Recipe You'll Ever Taste," Kelly of Eat Yourself Skinny proves that even hearty dishes can be nutritious when prepared a certain way. One cup of this sweet and spicy stew clocks in at 264 calories with a heaping 40 grams of protein!