Leftover Chili Recipes (2024)

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Try some of these leftover chili recipes to turn chili into another tasty dish. 20 recipes using leftover chili.

We have so many fabulous ideas for leftover chili you will love. It is super easy to use chili for another dish.

Your family won’t even realize they are eating leftovers. I just love when I can turn something into a new dish without much work.

Not only does this save me time but it saves us money too. Plus, we all get to eat lots of great food.

Table of Contents

  • How to store leftover chili:
  • How to freeze leftover chili:
  • 1. Chili Dogs
  • 2. Make Chili Mac
  • 3. Make Breakfast Bowls
  • 4. Chili Baked Potato
  • 5. Make Nachos
  • 6. Chili Spaghetti
  • 7. Frito Chili Cheese
  • 8. co*ck pot Chili mac and Cheese
  • 9. Chili Cheese Dip
  • 10. Cowboy Pork Chops
  • 11. Ground Beef Enchiladas
  • 12. Beef and Bean Chimichangas
  • 13. Easy Chili Cheese Dip
  • 14. Chili Stuffed Peppers
  • 15. Make Burritos
  • 16. Make Tator Tot Casserole
  • 17. Chili Nachos
  • 18. Hamburger Casserole
  • 19. Chili Sloppy joes
  • 20. Taco Salad
  • Try our popular Chili recipes

How to store leftover chili:

Place the chili inside an air tight container in the refrigerator. Make sure the container has a good lid.

It will keep up to 3 to 4 days.

How to freeze leftover chili:

Freezing chili is a great way to make it last longer. Allow it to cool completely and then place inside a freezer container.

The chili can be frozen up to 4 to 6 months. You can find even more tips on freezing chili.

You are going to love these simple but delicious recipes using leftover chili. These recipes are so good that your family will actually look forward to leftovers.

Go ahead and make a list of what you plan to try first. There are so many yummy ideas for using leftover chili.

1. Chili Dogs

This is probably one of our favorite ways to use leftover chili. You can make chili cheese dogs for another wonderful meal. Kids will love hot dogs served this way.

Leftover Chili Recipes (2)

The Best Hot Dog Chili Recipe

Learn how to make the best hot dog chili recipe around. With only a few ingredients, you will be making homemade chili from now on.

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2. Make Chili Mac

This pasta dish is so hearty with the chili and can easily feed a crowd. It has lots of beef, beans and more.

3. Make Breakfast Bowls

Serve your chili on top of eggs and hashbrowns to make an amazing breakfast bowl.

4. Chili Baked Potato

Top any leftover chili on your favorite baked potato. Add cheese and sour cream and you have an easy complete dinner.

Leftover Chili Recipes (3)

Air Fryer Baked Potato

We have the best ever air fryer baked potato recipe. This is a must try and such an easy and tasty side dish for busy weeknights.

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5. Make Nachos

Instead of using taco meat, spread leftover chili meat on tortilla chips to make oven nachos. Such an easy dinner idea!

Leftover Chili Recipes (4)

Oven Nachos

Oven nachos are delicious and perfect to feed a crowd. You can fix sheet pan nachos in minutes and everyone can enjoy their favorite toppings!

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6. Chili Spaghetti

Instead of making traditional spaghetti, mix in spaghetti noodles with your leftover chili. It is a delicious easy dinner idea with a fun twist on the classic spaghetti.

7. Frito Chili Cheese

Whether you need a Game Day meal or quick weeknight dinner, Frito Pie is always a good idea. Leftover chili served on Fritos and topped with cheese is sure to be a hit.

Leftover Chili Recipes (5)

Crock Pot Frito Chili Pie

From Game Day to family dinner,Crock Pot Frito Chili Pie Recipe is versatile and delicious. Try this easy Slow Cooker Frito Pie recipe to feed a crowd.

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8. co*ck pot Chili mac and Cheese

The slow cooker makes Chili Mac and Cheese even easier. Instead of adding beef, just add leftover chili to this tex mex recipe.

Leftover Chili Recipes (6)

Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe

Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe is the best of both worlds. Everything you love about chili and mac and cheese combine for a tasty meal that is easy.

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9. Chili Cheese Dip

Try this easy appetizer anytime you need a delicious snack. It is even easier with leftover chili. Each bite is so cheesy and tasty.

Leftover Chili Recipes (7)

Crockpot chili cheese dip

Crockpot chili cheese dip is the perfect appetizer or snack and so easy. The crock pot does all of the work and you need only 3 ingredients.

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10. Cowboy Pork Chops

Skip the canned chili and use leftover chili to make Cowboy Pork Chops. It is so easy in the crock pot.

Leftover Chili Recipes (8)

Cowboy Crockpot Pork Chops

Cowboy Crockpot Pork Chops Recipe is packed with amazing flavor. You will love how quick and easy Slow cooker pork chops and potatoes comes together. The potatoes and pork chops are so yummy! Try Cowboy slow cooker pork chops recipe. Cowboy pork chops is the best dinner. Cowboy pork chops dinner recipe is so simple.

See the Recipe

11. Ground Beef Enchiladas

Use leftover chili for the stuffing of ground beef enchiladas in a casserole dish. This is such a nice time saver.

Leftover Chili Recipes (9)

Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe

Make this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe when you need a quick but delicious dinner idea. Get all the flavors of enchiladas in just minutes.

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12. Beef and Bean Chimichangas

Leftover chili would be the perfect stuffing for Beef Chimichangas. The flavor is amazing and you will save a ton of time.

Leftover Chili Recipes (10)

Beef chimichanga recipe

Your family will love this crispy and delicious Beef chimichanga recipe. This dinner idea is simple, frugal and a great way to stretch your meat budget.

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13. Easy Chili Cheese Dip

Leftover chili combined with cheese makes a great dip. Spice things up with jalapenos on top.

Leftover Chili Recipes (11)

Chili cheese dip

Chili cheese dip recipe is the perfect appetizer when you are craving comfort food. It is the best dip and so inexpensive to make.

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14. Chili Stuffed Peppers

Instead of using ground beef, try using leftover chili in stuffed peppers. This is so easy and works great in the bell peppers.

Leftover Chili Recipes (12)

Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

Need an easy crock pot recipe? Try this delicious Crock pot Stuffed Peppers recipe that is better than the traditional stuffed peppers recipe.

See the Recipe

15. Make Burritos

Use your leftover chili to make amazing beef burritos. This easy weeknight meal is even easier using leftovers.

Leftover Chili Recipes (13)

Beef Burrito Recipe

This Beef Burrito Recipe is a delicious grab and go meal perfect for busy weeknights but special enough for family dinner. Try this freezer friendly meal.

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16. Make Tator Tot Casserole

Add leftover chili to this recipe instead of ground beef. It is so flavorful in this casserole with tater tots.

Leftover Chili Recipes (14)

Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole Recipe

Try this easy Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole Recipe. An Easy Tator tot Casserole recipe that is loaded with cheese and packed with flavor.

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17. Chili Nachos

Instead of adding ground beef to nachos, use chili. This recipe is so tasty and easy to make.

Leftover Chili Recipes (15)

Oven Nachos

Oven nachos are delicious and perfect to feed a crowd. You can fix sheet pan nachos in minutes and everyone can enjoy their favorite toppings!

See the Recipe

18. Hamburger Casserole

Chili is amazing in this easy hamburger casserole instead of the ground beef. This casserole is one of the best comfort foods. Just toss everything in a baking dish.

Leftover Chili Recipes (16)

Hamburger Casserole

Hamburger casserole recipe is the best combination of hearty ground beef, pasta and a creamy sauce. You can serve this with little prep work on busy nights.

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19. Chili Sloppy joes

Sloppy joes are a favorite. Reheat chili to make sloppy joes.

Leftover Chili Recipes (17)

Sloppy Joes Recipe

This Sloppy Joes is so easy to make and taste way better than sloppy joes in a can. How to make sloppy joes with ketchup and just two more ingredients.

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20. Taco Salad

Top each Taco Salad with with leftover chili for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Leftover Chili Recipes (18)

Crock Pot Taco Salad Recipe

Crock Pot Taco Salad Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. You can enjoy this meal with very little work and hardly any clean up.

See the Recipe

Try our popular Chili recipes

Leftover Chili Recipes (19)

Crockpot Chili

Quick and easy Crockpot Chili Recipe – Try this easy slow cooker chili recipe that the entire family will love. Easy Crock pot recipes.

See the Recipe

Leftover Chili Recipes (20)

Wendy’s Chili Recipe

This simple Wendy's Chili Recipe is easy to make and the best copycat recipe. The entire family will love this easy copycat chili recipe.

See the Recipe

Leftover Chili Recipes (21)

Crock pot Cowboy Chili Recipe

Everyone loves chili and this Crock Pot Cowboy Chili Recipe does not disappoint. Loaded with hearty beef, beans, and more, this chili recipe is a must try.

See the Recipe

Leftover Chili Recipes (22)

Easy Quick Chili Recipe

Make this easy quick chili recipe. We call it the amazing chili, because it is that good. Make this easy chili recipe with beans or without beans.

See the Recipe

Try these other recipes

All Recipes

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Homemade Seasoning Blends

Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Quick and Easy Chicken

Moroccan Chicken

Quick and Easy Instant Pot

Easy Instant pot Steak and Potatoes

Quick and Easy Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Quick and Easy Pork

Oven Roasted Pork Shoulder

Easy Copycat

Cincinnati Chili Recipe

About the Author

Leftover Chili Recipes (31)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Leftover Chili Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is chili good for in the fridge? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leftovers, including chili, can be safely stored in the refrigerator for three to four days if properly handled.

What can I add to canned chili? ›

Fresh, chopped ingredients are excellent chili toppings.

"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."

What can I do with leftover green chillies? ›

Toss your Green Chile with Rainbow Veggie Mix for a simple yet super flavorful slaw. Serve as a side, or pile it on a sandwich for a little extra crunch. Marinade. Three words: Chile Chicken Wings.

What can I serve with chili instead of rice? ›

Some of the best choices for what to serve with chilli con carne instead of rice include sweet potato wedges, couscous, cauliflower and broccoli rice, tortilla wraps, fries, cornbread, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, pitta breads, and quinoa.

How long is leftover homemade chili good for? ›

When properly stored in airtight containers, homemade chili will last for up to four days in the fridge. Start examining your batch for signs of spoilage at 3-4 days.

Can you eat 8 day old chili? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that.

Can I eat chili after 7 days in fridge? ›

Generally, homemade chili (chili con carne) will stay good in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container. However, it's important to remember that the length does chili last in the fridge, the higher the risk of spoilage and foodborne illness.

Can I eat chili that was left out all night? ›

It would be very risky to eat any kind of meat, including chili, after it has been sitting out unrefrigerated for several hours. Bacteria growth can begin as soon as meat reaches the temperature of 40° Fahrenheit. Meat dishes that are not consumed or refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking should not be eaten.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

What can I add to canned chili to make it taste homemade? ›

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

How to hack canned chili? ›

“If there's one thing you have to do with any canned chili, it would be adding fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños. Maybe even some pickled jalapeños. And be sure to dice it all up finely.” As for presentation? “Serve the chili out of a nice pot next to all the fresh toppings on display.

Why is leftover chili better? ›

The meat releases collagen and gelatinizes into a thicker, more luxurious texture. Same deal with vegetarian chili; the starches in beans break down, adding richness and viscosity. Plus, during that overnighter, the flavors soak into each other for a chili that's greater than the sum of its parts.

Why do you put green chillies in vinegar? ›

Green chillies in vinegar are important to boost metabolism for a healthy digestive system. It takes care of your skincare regime. Green chilli is a rich source of vitamin C and eating it helps in keeping your skin healthy and glowing.

Can you freeze green chili without roasting? ›

Pack whole, unpeeled chiles in plastic freezer bags or wrap in heavy aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Press down to remove all air and seal. Peeled chiles, whole or diced, can be packaged in plastic bags or rigid containers of glass, metal, or plastic. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace and seal.

Is reheated chili good? ›

You don't have to be a card-carrying leftovers lover to know that some foods are just better when reheated the next day -- especially chili. You'd be hard-pressed to find a chili that doesn't become even more flavorful after a brief stint in the fridge.

Can you freeze chili leftovers? ›

Chili is a crowd-pleaser, but we don't always have a crowd to feed nor know what to do with all those leftovers. We also know chili tastes better the next day but did you know you can freeze it and enjoy those same delicious results later? Freezing works whether you are making all meat or vegetarian chili.

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