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Party Chili

YOU will be the hostess with the mostest when you serve this Party Chili recipe. This chili is packed with thick luscious FLAVOR and is  SUPER easy to throw together! Party chili is a family favorite whether serving at a dinner party or for just the family, this is ONE recipe that everyone agrees is the best!

A close up view of a white bowl of party chili with two spoons and shredded cheese on top

Party Chili

CHILI IS ALWAYS A GREAT CHOICE FOR A PARTY!

What dish feeds as many people as you are having over? This perfectly adjustable chili recipe ranks at the top of our list!

We love to cruise the internet for party foods. There certainly are some luscious ones out there! There are NONE like this Party Chili though that can please a crowd!

WHY THIS PARTY CHILI WORKS

  • It’s easy and filling
  • This chili is just the right mix of sweet and spicy
  • The recipe can be adjusted for 4 – 100 (or more) people.
  • Simple use of seasoning packets give you the perfect mix of everything you need with no complicated measuring.
  • Perfect EVERY time.
  • Easily made vegetarian by leaving out the ground beef
  • A CHILI BAR is FUN at a PARTY!

HOW MUCH CHILI PER PERSON?

If you are planning a party, then you’ll need to know how much to plan per person. Always assume 1/2 – 1 Cup of this chili per person. One batch makes 1 Cup per person.

DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN COOK THIS CHILI

  1. Crockpot cooking is the best for this recipe
  2. You CAN cook this right on the stovetop and it is ready in minutes
  3. Use a Dutch Oven and prepare this dish in your oven!

PRO TIP:

This chili ALWAYS tastes even better the next day so consider making it the day before you plan to serve it. (No worries, it is good every time but is only improved with time).

CHILI IS A CLASSIC FAVORITE

Chili is always a favorite and you are always free to change your recipe up. I recommend considering the following when changing up the recipe:

  • Add green chilis
  • More cumin is flavorful
  • Consider adding creaminess with greek yogurt
  • Add cayenne for more spice

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHILI AT A PARTY?

There are lots of options for sides dishes and toppings:

Toppings

  • Sour Cream
  • Cheese
  • Corn Chips
  • Green onions
  • Chopped onions
  • Green chilis
  • Red Pepper flakes
  • chopped tomato
  • jalapeno slices
  • cilantro

Side dishes:

You Might Also Enjoy South Carolina Hot Dog Chilis!

Two bowls of party chili, one in the foreground and one in the background with one empty bowl way back

Party Chili

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PARTY CHILI (FAQ)…

CAN YOU FREEZE THIS CHILI?

Yes! This chili is an excellent choice for your freezer meals. Once you have browned the beef and added the beans and seasonings, it is ready for the freezer. Simply freeze in quart sized freezer bags.

Once frozen, this chili is good for at least 6 months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS CHILI?

This chili can be reheated from frozen as follows:

  1. Put the chili into the crockpot, set on low and come back in 8 hours.
  2. Put the chili into a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of water, set the heat on medium and break the frozen chili up with a wooden spoon as it heats.
  3. Place the  chili (still in its zip lock bag) in a bowl of warm water in the sink and allow to thaw then heat on the stove top in a sauce pan
  4. Heat the chili in the microwave until thawed and then heat per your choice of stove or microwave.

HOW LONG TO SIMMER PARTY CHILI?

  • Crockpot preparation is recommended for the best taste. Set the crockpot on low and allow to cook for 8 hours.
  • If preparing on the stovetop, it is safe to eat right away (after the ground beef is browned and the beans and spices added) but is best if cooked low and slow for several hours, stir often.

HOW LONG CAN PARTY CHILI SIT OUT? 

If party chili is maintained in the crockpot during your party (lid on and low temp setting) it can sit out for about 2 hours (it will be gone in no time though).

HOW LONG IS PARTY CHILI GOOD FOR IN THE FRIDGE?

You can place the party chili in the fridge and it will be good for another 4-5 days (consider freezing the leftovers)

HOW TO THICKEN CHILI

This chili is already VERY thick, so I can’t imagine you would need to thicken it. If you DO need more thickness, place 2 Tbs of cornstarch into a small bowl and mix with 2 Tbs cool water. Mix well until it looks like milk. Pour this into the chili and stir well. Let cook on low for another 15 minutes and chili will thicken.

 

A closeup view of a small bowl of party chili with grated cheese and sour cream on top with other bowls in the background

Party Chili

YA’LL HELP ME OUT NOW, YA HEAR?

Please leave me a 5 star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟  comment below in the comment section, all right? I would LOVE to know if you made this recipe or even if you are planning to! Of course, head on over to Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram and tag me with some photos of your creation!

I can’t wait!

Ya’ll know I love your comments!! ❤

THE RECIPE FOR PARTY CHILI

Party Chili with cheese and sour cream on top in a white bowl

Party Chili

An easy chili recipe that can be increased to feed as many as needed. Leave the meat off for a delicious vegetarian chili. Assemble in the morning and allow the crock pot to slow cook all day long or cook on the stove top in minutes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: what to serve with chili at a party, how to have a chili party
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 350kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 15.5 oz can black beans drained
  • 1 15.5 oz can Red Beans drained
  • 1 15.5 oz can Chili Beans DO NOT DRAIN
  • 2 12 oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes DO NOT DRAIN
  • 1 packet taco seasoning use hot if you want hotter chili
  • 1 packet Ranch dressing mix
  • ¼ Cup Brown Sugar dark brown sugar is best
  • 1 tsp crushed Chipotle Peppers

Instructions

  • In a skillet on medium heat, melt 2 tbs butter.
  • Add chopped onions to butter and cook until translucent.
  • Add the ground beef and brown. As meat comes to a brown color – add the minced garlic. When the meat is browned, pour off the grease.
  • In a large crock pot or stock pot , add the browned meat, onion and garlic mixture. Open the black beans, discard the extra liquid from the can and add the black beans to the pot. Open the red beans, discard the extra liquid from the can and then add the red beans to the pot. Open the chili beans and add directly to the pot. Open both cans of tomatoes and add directly to the pot. Stir well after each can.
  • Add the packets of taco seasoning and Ranch dressing mix. Add the brown sugar and crushed Chipotle Peppers and stir well.
  • If cooking on the stove top, heat on medium heat and serve when heated through (allow to simmer for several hours if you can, add water as needed). If cooking in a crock pot, pour the ingredients in the pot into the crock pot, place on high and heat for 3 hours (or low for 6-8 hours).

Notes

This chili ALWAYS tastes even better the next day so consider making it the day before you plan to serve it.  (No worries, it is good every time but is only improved with time). 
MAKE THIS CHILI VEGETARIAN
Easy!  Just leave out the ground beef!  Your vegetarian friends will be thrilled!
HOW MUCH CHILI PER PERSON? 
If you are planning a party, then you'll need to know how much to plan per person.  Always assume 1/2 - 1 Cup of this chili per person.  One batch makes 1 Cup per person. 
Chili is always a favorite and you are always free to change your recipe up.  I recommend considering the following when changing up the recipe:
  • Add green chilis
  • More cumin is flavorful
  • Consider creaminess with sour cream or heavy cream
  • Add cayenne for more spice
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHILI AT A PARTY?
There are lots of options for sides dishes and toppings:
Toppings
  • Sour Cream
  • Cheese
  • Corn Chips
  • Green onions
  • Chopped onions
  • Green chilis
  • Red Pepper flakes
  • chopped tomato
  • jalapeno slices
  • cilantro
Side dishes:

CAN YOU FREEZE THIS CHILI?

Yes!  This chili is an excellent choice for your freezer meals.  Once you have browned the beef and added the beans and seasonings, it is ready for the freezer.  Simply freeze in quart sized freezer bags. 
Once frozen, this chili is good for at least 6 months. 

HOW TO REHEAT THIS CHILI?

This chili can be reheated from frozen as follows:  
  1. Put the chili into the crockpot, set on low and come back in 8 hours.
  2. Put the chili into a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of water, set the heat on medium and break the frozen chili up with a wooden spoon as it heats. 
  3. Place the  chili (still in its zip lock bag) in a bowl of warm water in the sink and allow to thaw then heat on the stove top in a sauce pan
  4. Heat the chili in the microwave until thawed and then heat per your choice of stove or microwave.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Party Chili
Amount Per Serving
Calories 350
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

***This recipe originally appeared on Loaves and Dishes on November 4, 2014 and has been updated with new information***

A VERSE TO SHARE

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Katherine

Monday 26th of February 2024

Very easy to make and it was delicious! Tripled the recipe except for the beans and seasonings (only doubled). With some cheese and sour cream it was a huge hit. Saving this one!

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Thank you for the nice comment Katherine! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Debbie

Tuesday 29th of November 2022

Do you think adding a little chili seasoning to the ranch and taco seasoning would make it taste good or no?

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 30th of November 2022

Hi Debbie, I think it certainly wouldn't hurt anything and worth a try! Let me know how it turns out!

Debra

Tuesday 16th of March 2021

I was interested in making this for a meal after a meeting, how would you change this to make it in a electric pressure cooker? I'm making it for 12 and wonder about the time adjustment

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 17th of March 2021

Hi Debra, I have never made this in a pressure cooker. I HAVE made it plenty of times on the stove top and once you brown the ground beef, all you really need to do is to add the other ingredients and warm it up. So, on the stove top it is ready in less than 30 minutes for a single batch. For 12 I would make a double batch for sure.

Andrew

Tuesday 14th of January 2020

As you say simple but a show stopper. I added a few Chilli plus cumin and some sour cream. The contrast between sweet and spice was fantastic. Went down a treat.

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 14th of January 2020

Thanks Andrew! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Moxie

Friday 2nd of February 2018

Every year, I can't wait for this chilli!

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