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.