18 Easy Dinner Ideas Using Leftover Chili
I’m sure that you know how smart it is to made a huge batch of something when you cook. After doubling a recipe is much easier and much less work than cooking the same meal twice.
The problem with leftovers is that … sometimes they don’t sound very exciting.
The good news is that there are lots of easy and creative ways to repurpose leftover chili. (This is also true about leftover spaghetti.)
Below you’ll find 18 dinner recipes for what to do with all that leftover chili — from chili polenta skillet pie to sheet pan chili nachos to chili cheese dogs.
At the end of the post you’ll find answers to some common questions about storing and re-using leftover chili.
Leftover Chili Recipes
Chili Cheese Air Fryer Hot Dogs
If you've ever used an air fryer, you know that this nifty gadget is a game-changer, especially for families. It can whip up kid-friendly food in a flash.
This easy recipe for Chili Cheese Dogs can work as a meal or a snack.
Smothered Tamales with Chili Topping
if you've ever wondered how to tackle those store-bought tamales, this recipe for Smothered Tamales with Chili is for you.
Once you've mastered the art of serving up smothered tamales with chili and the best toppings, you'll want to keep a stash of pre-made tamales in your freezer at all times.
Chili Cheese Dilly Dogs
Forget about those boring old hot dog toppings and get ready to spice things up.
These Chili Cheese Dilly Dogs take your average hot dogs to a whole new level of deliciousness, with homemade hot dog meat sauce, loads of gooey cheddar cheese, and a zesty kick from snappy dill pickles.
Chili Cheese Hasselback Potatoes
Whether you want to make these Chili Cheese Hasselback Potatoes the star of your meal or just serve them as a fancy side dish, they won't disappoint.
They're also perfect for game day. Just load them up with your favorite toppings and you're good to go.
Silly Chili Macaroni
Looking for a kid-friendly dinner that'll make everyone happy? Look no further than the super fun and easy Silly Chili Macaroni.
The best part? It's super easy to customize and totally make it your own -- and it's a total lifesaver when it comes to using up pantry or food storage items.
Tater Tot Chili Cheese Hotdish
This Tater Tot Chili Cheese Hot Dish takes a delicious chili base smothered in melted cheddar cheese and crowned with crispy tater tots.
It's super easy to make—all in just one pan—and it's perfect for feeding a hungry bunch.
Sheet Pan Chili Nachos
These easy weeknight Nachos with Homemade Chili, cheese and your favorite toppings may just become a new favorite in your household -- not just in cold weather months, but year round.
Walking Taco Frito Chili Pie
Walking Taco Frito Chili Pie is so easy and perfect for parties, meals on the go and more. Enjoy chili pie with corn chips for a quick meal any night of the week.
Chili Stuffed Bell Peppers
Chili Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious dinner to make when you have leftover chili. This is a healthy dinner that even your kids will love.
Chili Polenta Skillet Pies
Chili Polenta Skillet Pies are an easy use of leftover chili. Made in individual mini skillets, everyone gets their own serving of chili topped with creamy polenta.
Leftover Chili & Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
Who says that your leftover chili needs to be used for dinner?
Chili & Cornbread Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate way to transform those remnants of last night's dinner into a hearty breakfast that'll impress even your fanciest guests.
Making this scrumptious Cornbread Breakfast Casserole is a breeze. Just grab that leftover cornbread and chili and add just a handful of everyday pantry and fridge essentials. Easy-peasy and oh-so-yummy.
Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries
These easy Air Fryer Chili Cheese Fries are a great way to use up that leftover chili! It's perfect for a snack, side, and great for game day too!
Chili Pancake Stack
Chili Pancake Stack is a delicious baked stack of coriander (cilantro) flavored pancakes layered with beef chilli and a layer of melted cheese and jalapenos.
Leftover Chili Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread Chili Casserole is quick to whip up, but ridiculously tasty.
The zesty kick of your leftover chili mingling with the sweetness of homemade cornbread is a match made in culinary heaven.
The best part is that it requires just 10 minutes of prep time for the cornbread, and then you can kick back and let the oven do all the hard work.
Chili Potato Skins
Chili Potato Skins are a fun and delicious way to use up leftover chili! Once you’ve made a batch of your favorite chili, bake up some potatoes and transform your extra chili into twice baked potatoes with chili.
They're super customizable and easy to prep in advance! Plus, you only need 5 ingredients for this meal!
Southwest Chili and Cheese Omelette
Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwich
You haven't lived until you have tried this easy grilled cheese sandwich made with leftover chili. It's a messy and delicious grilled cheese sandwich that your taste buds will never forget!
Traeger Smoked Chili Cheese Nachos
Take your leftover chili up a notch by throwing it on a grill between layers of tortilla chips, cheese, and smoked white queso.
Don’t have a smoker? No worries. The recipe also works great as oven baked nachos.
Leftover Chili FAQs
Can you freeze leftover chili?
Yes, you can freeze leftover chili. In fact, chili is a great dish to freeze because it often tastes even better after it has been frozen and reheated.
To freeze leftover chili, let it cool down to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag.(These cool little gadgets lets you pour chili into a freezer bag without making a huge mess.)
Don’t forget to label it with the date and contents so that two months from now you’re not staring at a brown lump that you discovered in the back of the freezer, wondering what it it.
When you’re ready to eat the chili, thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours (overnight is ideal) until it’s fully thawed. Once it’s thawed, you can reheat it on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven until it’s heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
It’s important to note that while chili can be frozen for up to three months, the longer it’s frozen, the more its quality and texture may suffer. Ideally, you want to eat the frozen leftover within a month or two.
How long is leftover chili good for?
Leftover chili can last for up to four days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an airtight container.
If you need to store it for longer, you can freeze it for up to three months (see above).
Is it safe to eat leftover chili that has been left out overnight?
I’m not the only one who’s had this happen, right? You think your husband packed up the leftovers, he thinks you did it … Or maybe you just got so caught up in re-watching Arrested Development (as I’m currently doing) that you forgot all about the big pot of chili that’s still on the stovetop.
But sadly, it’s not safe to eat leftover chili that’s been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature and can cause foodborne illness.
So yeah, if you wake up and discover chili still on the stove or in your crockpot, scrape it into the trash and promise to do better next time.
Can I store leftover chili in the same pot I cooked it in?
That would make life easier, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to store leftover chili in the same pot you cooked it in. The pot might not be airtight and can allow air and moisture to get in, which can cause the chili to spoil more quickly.
How can I prevent freezer burn on frozen chili?
Freezer burn is caused by moisture loss from food when it’s exposed to air in the freezer. To prevent freezer burn on frozen chili, you can take the following steps:
- Use airtight containers that are specifically designed for freezer storage. (This one was on Shark Tank and lets you easily freeze your soup or chili into serving-size portions.)
- Use freezer bags that are designed to prevent freezer burn. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
- Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the chili freezes. That’ll help prevent the container or bag from bursting.
- Freeze the chili as quickly as possible after it has cooled down to room temperature. That’ll keep ice crystals from forming on the surface of the chili, which can lead to freezer burn.
How can I tell if leftover chili has gone bad?
- Smell: If the chili has a sour or “off” odor
- Appearance: If the chili has mold on it, or if it appears slimy or discolored
- Texture: If the chili has a slimy or mushy texture
- Taste: If the chili tastes sour or weird
