National Chili Day Recipe Roundup
February 25th is National Chili Day and that means a recipe roundup is in order!
Right smack in the middle of Winter, just when cabin fever is getting real and we’re all longing for spring.
It’s the perfect chance to break out a new Chili recipe to excite your taste buds.
The Chili Police could have great fun with this recipe roundup and argue that none of these recipes are indeed Chili. For the purpose of conveying a collection of soups/stews that are seasoned with aromatics and spices most akin to Chili – we’re going to roll with it.
Here’s a link to a great article from Serious Eats. Divided States of Chili: A guide to America’s Most Contentious Stew
For the recipes below, simply click on the Bold Titles under each image, then scroll to the bottom of the next page.
National Chili Day Recipe Roundup
Beefy Chili
How do you know it’s the best chili if you haven’t tried all chilis?
When you’ve never experienced Chili even close to this unctuous vat of love….
…a compromise was met. This is Our Best Chili Yet!
Speaking of food that’s to die for, this crazy good 27 Ingredient Chili Con Carne recipe was born on the pages of a murder mystery. IF the term Layers of Flavor applied to any single recipe….this might just be the ONE….27 of them to be exact.
The main differences between Cincinnati Chili and a traditional Tex-Mex chili is that the meat and onions are very finely chopped (similar to hot dog chili) and the seasonings are certainly unique with unsweetened cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, and clove shining through. Oh and let’s not forget the ‘Skyline’ Chili Ordering Code:
1-Way: just the chili
2-Way: chili served over spaghetti
3-Way: chili, spaghetti, and grated cheddar cheese
4-Way: chili, spaghetti, cheese, and diced onion
5-Way: chili, spaghetti, cheese, onion, and red kidney beans
All “ways” are served with oyster crackers
If you’re looking for a very basic, but very tasty Beef & Bean Chili recipe, look no further.
Black Bean Chili begins like many of our soup and chili recipes….with a medley of carrots, onions and celery. But that’s just the beginning of this flavor journey.
Hot Dog Chili is quite different from traditional chili…if there is a traditionalchili. The main difference is the texture. Hot Dog Chili has a fine texture which works oh so nicely as a topping for your favorite hot dog.
Christmas Leftovers Chili began by assessing the leftovers in the fridge. This recipe could easily have been adapted to what you might find after any holiday weekend or big family event.
Chili Change Up
Ground chorizo sausage and chicken breasts added to sautéed onion is the base for this chili. What a fantastic way to infuse the broth with the slightly spicy chorizo flavor.
Turkey & Sweet Potato Southwest Chili
Hearty chili but with less calories. Let’s face it. Most of us don’t need the extra calories and are perfectly happy as long as we’re satisfied. This chili is definitely satisfying. And pretty :)
This White Chicken Chili {with Fire Roasted Poblano Peppers} fits all the week-night meal requirements. Quick & easy, figure friendly, and most importantly a dish the whole family with enjoy!
Is it chili? Is it gumbo? Does it matter? It’s delicious!!
Add Chili on Top
Baked Potato with Chili & Cheese
If a baked potato is going to be served as a meal, I say serve it up loaded with this Beef & Bean Chili. Then go ahead and load it some more with your favorite toppings like Sour Cream & Bacon.
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Fries
These Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Fries are addicting. The are a hearty fill you up meal that eat like nachos. They also happen to be a fantastic way to use up your favorite chili.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this National Chili Day Recipe Roundup. I’ve got a few more recipes to add to this page before spring thyme blooms – a Nomato version (that’s packed full of veggies – just no tomatoes) and a Texas Red Chili inspired by our recent trip to West Texas and Big Bend National Park.
West Texas and Big Bend National Park
Back in December, after being cooped up for several months 9 months we planned a getaway to West Texas to include two National Parks and a 1000 mile road trip through rural towns and mountain ranges. It was spectacular. On Day 8 – our last full day in Texas, we started bright and early with a gorgeous sunrise followed by skeet shooting. Because Texas.
We made one last unplanned side trip to Terlingua Ranch on our way out of town. We had only learned about the colorful history of this 200,000 acre piece of property the previous night.
Back in the 1960s Carroll Shelby aka Shelby Mustang Cobra designer played by Matt Damon in Ford vs. Ferrari purchased this track of land as an investment, planning to sell off parcels. When sales slowed dramatically he and a few friends decided to host a chili cook off in the tiny town of Terlingua Ghost Town to draw crowds of potential land buyers. What started as a bit of a publicity stunt in 1967, turned into an annual event, spanning 50+ years and drawing crowds of over 10,000 people annually.
Terlingua Ghost Town
Every year since 1967 thousands of chili enthusiasts embark on the town on the first Saturday in November for a two week long chili festival, that’s now known as The Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff.
2020 was the first year in its history that the event wasn’t held due to covid.
We’re talking about a town with a population of about 100 people. Terlingua, Texas is a gateway to Big Bend National Park and therefore tourists like us pay a visit to the Ghost Town and it’s famed Starlight Theatre on our way through to the park.
On our last day, we drove the extra 30 miles out to Terlingua Ranch where we were warmly greeted and given a brief history lesson. Carroll Shelby later sold off the property and we were told that the original logo will be reclaimed by the Shelby family and no longer associated with the ranch at the end of this year. We then got to play 9 holes of disc golf on their desert course 😍 It was spectacular and cactus challenging! It was a great day and the perfect ending to another fabulous bucket list adventure!
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All my best,
xo Libby
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