25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

Turn your leftovers into exciting new meals with any of over 25 delicious leftover chili recipes. From breakfast shakshuka, to vamped up mac and cheese. These transformational recipes will make you want to plan for leftover chili every time!

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (1)

Did you recently make a ton of chili? Are there really people that make small batches of chili?

Sure, you could reheat the chili all week and eat it that way. That would get a little boring pretty quick though.

I found some amazing recipes for you to use up that chili without getting bored. With these recipes, you can use your leftover chili for breakfast, lunch (whether at home or to pack in the lunch box), and dinner!

A bunch of these chili-packed recipes are even perfect for appetizers or a game-day snack!

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (2)

1. Chili Mac and Cheese - Mac and cheese made with leftover chili tastes almost like Hamburger Helper and so easy to make

2. Leftover Chili Mac Frittata - Use whatever pasta you have on-hand and that leftover chili to make a great frittata for a quick dinner.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (3)

3. Corn Muffin Chili Cups - Corn muffins and chili are meant for each other, so why not combine them into a handheld bite?

4. Chili Cheese Cups - Wonton wrappers and leftover chili make for a great party snack! I love party apps that you can easily grab and enjoy.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (4)

5. Breakfast Chili Chilaquiles - Whip up an amazing breakfast with homemade tortilla chips, leftover chili and tons of flavor!

6. Chili Cheese Potato Skins - Potato skins are always a favorite appetizer, but I think they make a great meal! Don’t forget the extra cheese and sour cream!

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (5)

7. Smokey Chili Potato Bites - Use that leftover chili for a nice little one-bite appetizer. Perfect for game day or a small get together.

8. Chili Mac and Cheese Bites - You can use these little bites for an appetizer or a kid-friendly dinner. They’re great to make ahead of time to pack in the lunch box, too.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (6)

9. Chili Dog Casserole with Cheese Fries - Who doesn’t love cheese fries? Use your leftover chili in this fun take on chili dogs.

10. Chili and Cornbread Waffles - Get out that waffle maker for a quick dinner! Cornbread waffles and leftover chili makes for a great comfort food.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (7)

11. Cheesy Chili Cornbread Casserole - By using chili that’s already made, you can whip up this cheesy casserole in a breeze. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight when you need something warm and comforting.

12. Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwich - Thought about making a grilled cheese with chili? Chili, cheese, and a buttery grilled bread combines in the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (8)

13. Layered Cornbread Breakfast Casserole - Put those leftover ingredients to work for breakfast! Use cornbread and chili from the night before in a breakfast casserole. Honestly, this looks almost too good to cut into!

14. Easy Chili Cheese Enchiladas - When your chili is already made, you can have these yummy enchiladas on the table in about 30 minutes!

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (9)

15. Ground Turkey Chili Shakshuka Breakfast - Make a big batch of chili ahead of time and you can have this tasty breakfast in the morning. It’s much easier than it looks!

16. Leftover Chili with Rice, Avocado & Pan Fried Tortilla Chips - This recipe is great for any time of day. If you love avocado and pan-fried tortillas, give it a try!

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (10)

17. Easy and Loved Tamale Pie - This tamale pie recipe has several variations and one of them uses leftover chili! Such an easy recipe that can serve a crowd!

18. Incredibly Delicious Spicy Chili Empanadas - Use your leftover homemade chili for a fun spin on empanadas. You can serve with guacamole, sour cream, or even bbq sauce.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (11)

19. Healthy Zucchini Nachos Baked with Chili - If you made chili without beans, it’s perfect for this healthy recipe. These nachos make a great keto snack or appetizer.

20. Chili Cheese Waffle Fries for a Crowd - Having a bunch of people over? Top waffle fries with your homemade leftover chili and a ton of cheese for a quick snack that will be gobbled up in no time.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (12)

21. Chili Cheese Burritos - Make sure you make extra of these burritos for the freezer! They’re great for a busy meal and a new way to use up leftover chili.

22. Chili Stuffed Zucchini Boats - Leftover chili makes a great filling for stuffed zucchini boats. A delicious, easy and low-carb meal option.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (13)

23. Chili Sloppy Joes - Use leftover chili as the filling in Sloppy Joes. Delicious on a fluffy brioche bun with sour cream and extra grated cheese on top

24. Chili Stuffed Spaghetti Squash - Previous day's chili gets an amazing makeover as topping for spaghetti squash

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (14)

25. Chili Dogs - Make the best-ever hot dogs with leftover chili as topping

26. Chili Tortilla Stacks - Leftover chili layered between tortillas with loads of yummy cheese

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (15)

27. Vegan Chili Cornbread Casserole - Sweet, crispy cornbread is baked on top of warm, comforting & hearty chili, making it a fantastic two in one kind of meal

Random Questions

How long is leftover chili good for in the fridge?

Leftover chili can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to use airtight containers to maintain its freshness.

Can you can leftover chili?

Yes, you can preserve leftover chili by canning it. Follow proper canning procedures and ensure that the containers are sealed tightly to maintain its quality.

What can you add to chili?

You can add various ingredients to enhance the flavor of your chili, such as beans, vegetables, different types of meat, spices, and herbs, depending on your preference.

Does chili taste better if cooked longer?

Yes, allowing chili to simmer for a longer time can deepen its flavors and create a richer taste. However, it's essential to monitor the heat to prevent overcooking and maintain the desired texture.

25+ Leftover Chili Recipes » LeelaLicious (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What kind of vinegar to add to chili? ›

A little bit of vinegar goes a long way, so as a rule of thumb, stick with 1 tablespoon of vinegar per pot. Our top picks are apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or sherry vinegar, though any kind of vinegar on hand will get the job done and give your chili the boost it needs.

What is the trick to a good chili? ›

Cook it long enough

Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

How to give chili a deeper flavor? ›

How to Give Chili a Flavor Boost
  1. Add something acidic. ...
  2. Try to identify what about your chili is boring. ...
  3. Add tomato paste. ...
  4. Drop in some chocolate. ...
  5. Embrace pickling liquid. ...
  6. Stir in some molasses.

How long to simmer chili for the best flavor? ›

How long should you simmer chili on the stove? The chili can cook on a high simmer with the lid off for 30-45 minutes, or up to 2 hours on a low simmer with the lid on. The longer that you simmer a chili, the more flavorful it will be, because it allows the spices and seasonings to develop further.

How to spice up already cooked chili? ›

Thank you! you couldn't just add raw spices, but you could dry fry the spices(only takes a few seconds), add the broth and then add that mix to the chilli.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

'" Further east in Ohio, Cincinnati-style chili has many of the same ingredients as traditional red chili, such as cayenne, cumin and paprika. But it also skews sweeter with the addition of warm baking spices like allspice, nutmeg — and cinnamon.

What does paprika do for chili? ›

Think of paprika as the gentler, sweeter cousin of hot chili peppers. It enlivens your favorite dishes with fruity notes and a toasty red color without ever taking over the show.

What makes homemade chili taste good? ›

Salt and black pepper are great but let's elevate that ground beef with steak seasoning! Along with the salt and pepper, most steak seasonings will add some garlic and/or onion, citrus, herbs, and a smoky flavor like cumin. Use your favorite steak seasoning and take a minute to enjoy the aroma when it hits the pan!

Why put baking soda in chili? ›

In this chili recipe, baking soda (that same thing the fluffs up cakes and cookies) tenderizes the ground beef while making it brown better. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is alkaline.

Is lemon juice good in chili? ›

Sometimes, despite all the T.L.C. we've put into our chili the whole way through, it can still taste like it's missing something at the end. Chances are good that "something " is actually acid. A splash of wine, cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even lemon juice can help perk up the flavors.

How to fix tasteless chili? ›

I like to give my chili a little more complexity, so I'll often add canned chipotle chili peppers, a touch of cinnamon or Chinese 5 spice, chocolate and cilantro or coriander. A few other flavor boosting ingredients could be: smoked sausage, grilled corn kernels, coffee, beer or roasted tomatoes.

How to darken chili? ›

Add a Porter or Stout beer to the recipe for some extra darkness.

How do you add depth of Flavour to chili con carne? ›

In this recipe, red wine, Worcestershire sauce and beef stock add depth of flavour and some sweetness, but you can also add a square or two of dark chocolate at the end. Also, browning the meat thoroughly will add lots of flavour (see the technique video at the bottom of the page for tips on how to brown meat).

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