Great Chili Recipes for Both Meat Lovers and Vegetarians
One of the few things that gets better as it ages.
There may be no better party dish than chili. Like any stew, it’s easy to scale a recipe up to feed a crowd. There’s no canonical list of required ingredients, so it can be tailored to fit guests’ tastes. And though it’s often made with meat, it’s naturally so full of flavor—and, because of the beans, protein—that it’s easily made vegetarian.
In short, chili is the life of the party, the guest everyone’s happy to see and no one can get enough of.
The dish has the added advantage of being able to be made well ahead of time, freeing you up to concentrate on your guests the day of the party. In fact, chili is one of those rare dishes that may be better the second day. Somehow those flavors deepen and meld together in the refrigerator overnight, creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
What recipe should you make, then? You can’t go wrong with any of the recipes below, but consider your guests and their preferences. Do you think they like their chili meaty and rich? Try classic Smoky Beef-and-Bacon chili. Are they looking to maximize their bean experience? Black and White chili has two kinds. Then again, Ranch Chili has none. Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili really does have three different meat sources in it. Black Bean Chili, on the other hand, can be made vegan simply by skipping the recommended sour cream topping. They say there’s no accounting for taste, but the rich, umami-filled flavors of chili are something that all your party guests will be able to get behind.
Favorite Chili Recipes
Ranch Chili
Top chili with chopped onions and cilantro; serve with avocado, crumbled cheese, sour cream, and warm flour tortillas.
More Videos From Sunset
Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili
Why make the same old thing when you can cook up a chili rich and smoky with bacon and Spanish chorizo, mellowed by whiskey, and fired up with chipotles?
Devilish Chorizo Chili with Hominy
Not only is this chili easy to make ahead, it actually improves with time. If you like your chili very spicy, add an extra teaspoon of chipotle powder.
Turkey Black Bean Chili
Turkey Black Bean Chili that’s an ideal workout lunch incorporating carbs, protein, and some liquid.
Veggie Chili
“Chili is definitely something I make for myself at home. It’s comforting to eat, but it’s also a dish that is easy to cook in a big pot and share,” says Che Fico Chef David Nayfeld. Serve it with Nayfeld’s Brown Butter Maple Cornbread.
Black and White Chili
The combination of both black and white beans creates a nice mix, without having you raid your pantry. The canned goods in this dinner make it super simple, and the prep comes together quickly. Set it on the table with toppings you have on hand: cheddar, sour cream, green onions, radishes, and lime wedges. Have the family create their own for a fun, customizable dinner that makes for great leftovers the next day. Top with extra jalapeños for an added kick.
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