Why Cook Chili for So Long?

Chili is stewed with peppers and different spicy or smoky flavors, and these ingredients need a slow cook time over low heat to bring out the full depth of flavor they can achieve. There’s a reason why a smoked red pepper has a different flavor than a raw or sautéed one, and chili is much the same. Sure, you could cook chili quickly and still get a similar flavor, but these ingredients need to be slow-cooked to create a rich and layered chili.