Fancy Chili Dishes

Chili, while delicious, is not usually considered fancy. It’s a meal many people can whip up on the fly with the ingredients they have on hand, and it doesn’t need to take long to make. However, that doesn’t mean it is only for simple dinners. Chili is a versatile meal with plenty of ways to make fancy chili dishes simply by switching the ingredients or toppings.

• Switch ground beef for ground pork or Italian sausage.
• Instead of water or stock, add wine or beer as your liquid with the chili.
• Sun-dried tomatoes or miso paste can add a touch of umami.
• Add a splash of coffee after adding your tomatoes, beans, meat, and veggies.
• Try other spices like cinnamon, tandoori spice blend, or garam masala.
• Char your chili peppers instead of sautéing them.
• Sauté garlic before combining it with your other ingredients to bring out subtle nuances in the flavor.
• Put your chili in an edible bowl like a bread bowl or hollowed-out sweet potato.

Try making any of these changes in your favorite chili recipe to add a touch of class and unique flavorings that will elevate a dish your family has had a million times before to new heights.

Chili vs. Taco Seasoning: What’s the Difference?

Chili seasoning and taco seasoning are both delicious Tex-Mex blends that can help you to put a tasty meal on the table. But while they do share a lot of ingredients in common, there are a few differences in seasoning for chili vs. taco seasoning, which largely come down the proportions of their ingredients.

The main ingredient in chili seasoning is chili powder, which is made from dried and ground chili peppers. This powder adds an earthy and slightly spicy flavor to your chili. Chili seasoning also includes ingredients like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, which contribute to the rich and savory profile of chili seasoning.

Taco seasoning also contains cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, but it produces a very different result. That’s because taco seasoning uses less chili powder and more cumin than chili seasoning does. The blend of flavors in taco seasoning enhances the taste of taco fillings like ground beef or chicken.

Can You Use Taco Seasoning for Chili?

In a pinch, if you don’t have chili seasoning but you do have taco seasoning, you can use it to make chili. However, you should cut back the amount a little bit and make up the difference with chili powder if you want to achieve a more chili-like flavor profile.

How to Make Chili for Hot Dogs

There’s nothing more American than taking some delicious chili and adding it to a hot dog. Chili dogs may be messy, but they’re a perfect game-day treat. Then again, there’s no reason to save something this delicious for game day: You can make chili for hot dogs at home any time you like!

Ingredients

• 1 package of hot dogs
• 1 package of hot dog buns
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• ½ c. beef broth
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• ½ tsp. smoked paprika
• Other toppings you like, such as shredded cheese, chopped red onions, or hot sauce

Instructions

1. Set your burner to medium-high heat, and place a pot over it to cook your ground beef and onions. Once the meat is browned, drain the pot of any excess fat.
2. Add in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, broth, and seasonings, and stir all of the ingredients together. Simmer over medium-low heat for 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the liquid has cooked down and the chili is nice and thick. Then, cover it and set it aside to keep it warm.
3. Use a grill or a skillet to cook your hot dogs through. While they’re cooking, toast the hot dog buns.
4. Once your hot dogs are cooked, add them to the buns, then spoon on the chili and add your favorite toppings.

Chili Eating Contest vs. Chili Cook-Off: How Do They Differ?

When it comes to fiery culinary showdowns, the chili world offers two thrilling competitions that spice enthusiasts can’t resist: the chili eating contest and the chili cook-off. While both events revolve around the beloved chili pepper, these contests are as different as night and day.

What Happens in a Chili Eating Contest?

In the world of competitive eating, a chili eating contest is the ultimate test of endurance. Participants face off in a race to devour as many chili peppers as possible within a set time. These contests are not for the faint of heart, as contestants must endure searing heat and the relentless burn of some of the spiciest chili peppers to ever exist.

What Is a Chili Cook-Off?

On the other side of the chili spectrum, chili cook-offs are a celebration of culinary creativity. Here, chefs and home cooks craft their signature chili recipes, blending various chili pepper varieties with secret spices and ingredients. Judges determine the best chili based on taste, aroma, texture, and presentation. Cook-offs are all about savoring the rich, complex flavors of chili and often involve a sense of community as participants share their creations with eager tasters.

Chili vs Chili Con Carne: What’s the Difference?

Many consider Chili and chili con carne synonymous, but they aren’t necessarily the same. If you’re curious about the difference between chili vs. chili con carne, it’s relatively simple. While similar, chili con carne means “chili with meat” which is so named to distinguish it from the more stew-like chili that contains beans, onions, garlic, and chili powder. Chili con carne usually specifically means beef, though it can include other forms of meat. However, there is some dispute over whether beans and tomatoes are in a chili con carne or just ingredients added to a stew. Depending on where you are, these ingredients will be considered part of chili con carne without a second thought, or you will be hard-pressed to find them in your dish.

Nowadays, most chili recipes include meat in their chili anyway, so it often blurs the distinction between the two chili variations, but they are technically two different dishes.

How to Make Chili for Chili Cheese Fries

Few dishes can rival the indulgent pleasure of chili cheese fries. Crispy golden fries smothered in gooey cheese and a generous serving of chili are a taste sensation that’s hard to resist! But you don’t have to go out to a restaurant or bar to enjoy this delicious dish! It’s easy enough to whip up chili for chili cheese fries at home. This meaty, slightly spicy chili is the perfect foil for fries and cheese:

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 diced onion
• 15 oz. canned kidney beans
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 1/2 c. beef broth
• 1 tbsp. mustard
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef and onions over medium-high heat in a large skillet until the meat is browned, then drain off any excess fat.
2. Stir in all of the other ingredients.
3. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until it’s thickened.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

When you’re ready to make the chili cheese fries, just cook your fries, top them with a generous amount of chili, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake for a few minutes, just to melt the cheese and make sure that the chili is nice and hot.

What to Add to Chili for Flavor

Whether you prefer your chili mild and comforting or fiery and adventurous, knowing what to add to chili for flavor can elevate the dish to new heights. Here are a few great ingredients that can kick up your chili a notch:

• Spices: The foundation of great chili flavor begins with a blend of spices. Chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano are essential. Adjust the quantities to suit your desired level of heat and complexity.
• Garlic and Onions: Sautéed garlic and onions provide a sweet and savory base that enhances the overall taste of your chili.
• Bell Peppers: Add a pop of color and a mild, sweet flavor with bell peppers. Choose green for a subtle taste or red for a sweeter note.
• Tomatoes: Whether you opt for canned diced tomatoes or fresh ones, they add a touch of acidity and depth to your chili.
• Beans: Kidney, pinto, or black beans not only boost the protein content but also add a creamy texture and earthy taste. Try adding one variety or all three!
• Meat: Ground beef, turkey, or even chunks of steak will contribute rich flavor to your chili.
• Broth: Beef or chicken broth can be used to thin out your chili while intensifying its flavor.
• Hot Peppers: If you crave heat, consider adding diced jalapeños, habaneros, or even ghost peppers to add a kick to each bite.

How Long Should Chili Simmer?

The cooking time for chili simmered in a pot on the stove is pretty forgiving, so how long chili should simmer will depend a lot on how much time you’ve got. If you want a quick weeknight dinner, cook the chili over medium-high heat until it thickens up, which can take as little as 10 to 20 minutes. But if you have more time, the flavors will meld together better if you simmer the chili over medium-low heat for 25 to 35 minutes or more. If you’re making a big batch ahead of time for a party, you can even leave the pot simmering on a low burner for an hour or more: Just make sure to stir it from time to time so it doesn’t stick to the pot or burn.

How Many Calories Are in Chili With Beans?

The amount of calories in chili with beans will vary depending on your recipe, but on average, a standard one-cup serving has around 250 to 300 calories. The primary calorie sources in chili include:

• Beans: Beans contribute a significant portion of the calories in any chili with beans, but they also offer a healthy dose of fiber and protein, making chili a nutritious choice.
• Meat: If your chili includes meat, such as lean ground beef or turkey, it adds protein and some extra calories.
• Tomatoes and Vegetables: The tomatoes and vegetables used in chili are generally low in calories but add essential vitamins and minerals.

How to Reduce the Number of Calories in Chili With Beans

If you’re watching your calorie intake, you can cut down the calorie content of your chili by using lean meats or opting for a vegetarian version. Load up on veggies and go easy on high-calorie toppings like cheese and sour cream to keep your chili light.

What Kinds of Beans Go in Chili?

Just about any kind of bean can go in chili, but the traditional choice is kidney beans. However, if you don’t like kidney beans, feel free to use whichever kind you do like. Just keep in mind that since chili simmers for so long, you need to choose ingredients that can handle prolonged exposure to heat without turning into mush. Smaller beans, like navy beans, won’t hold up as well as larger beans do, so plan your cooking time accordingly if you choose to use them.

Some of the best kinds of beans to put in chili are:

• Kidney Beans: These are the most popular beans for chili and are sometimes called “chili beans” for that reason. Kidney beans add a rich and hearty texture to any chili recipe.
• Black Beans: These beans are a common staple in chili as well as in Mexican and Creole dishes. While they’re smaller than kidney beans, black beans are just as dense, which means they hold up well to heat for long periods of time while adding a rich flavor that blends well with the other ingredients.
• Pinto Beans: Like black beans, pinto beans are significant components in Mexican and Spanish dishes. They add a creamier and softer texture with a subtle earthy flavor that can really make a chili pop. While they can retain their structure after cooking for long periods of time, it’s best to add them closer to the end of the cooking process so they don’t break down in the chili.