Today I’m sharing an idea that you can use for Fall or Winter entertaining, as well as a timely idea for Super Bowl & other Football gatherings. I thought, ‘what could be more hearty, manly, and versatile than a chili bar?’ I didn’t want to do a chili tasting or cook-off because I think most people have seen that already. Instead I thought about the many ways you can serve chili using one all-purpose recipe. This is how it usually goes at my house: First round is chili & tortillas, next day leftovers are served over pasta, at a fast food restaurant we order chili & baked potato, or chili cheese fries, etc.
This is a fun way to set up a buffet for friends and even the kids loved making their own variations. Using some printable tags from Party Box Designs I set up and labeled lots of chili toppers + root beer. You can see my list of options below, plus the delicious recipe I used that goes with everything!
Base items available for topping with the chili:
- Pasta
- Tortillas
- Hot Dogs
- Crinkle cut french fries
- Small bags of Fritos corn chips
- Baked Potatoes
Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour Cream
- Diced Onion
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Diced Tomatoes
- other condiments like ketchup & mustard for the hot dogs
Combine the base items with the chili and select toppings and you have a great meal. I suggest small servings so you can have more than one combo – you may even want to cut the hot dogs in half. One of my personal favorites is the Fritos bags that you can just grab and go. You fill the bag with the chili and toppings and eat right out of the bag!
To hide the not-so-attractive crock pot, I wrapped it with burlap. I served root beer from a large urn, which you could also fill with beer of course.
This chili bar was a huge hit with the family. The husband loved it, the kids loved it, and it could even be used for a tween or teen birthday buffet.
{all photos from Celebrations At Home}
All Purpose Chili Recipe
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, browned
Chili Seasoning Packet – “Original” flavor
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 small onion, diced
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 can water
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 6 hours.
To get the printable party set we used in this party, just follow the link.
Which combination would you choose?
Linked to: Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots & Jello, Whipperberry,
About Chris
This is fabulous! Love wrapping up the crock pot!
Thanks Brandy – glad you like it!
Love it Chris! Serving chili at our party this Sunday and just might steal some of your darling ideas
Do IT!! ; D
You’ve got some great ideas going on here and perfect timing with the Super Bowl just around the corner. Love all of the make it yourself sections.
- The Tablescaper
LoVe the Chili Bar!
LOVE!!! You are so clever!! And now I’m wanting chili!
love love love it! you did such an amazing job lady!
LOVE the chili in the frito bags! So stealing that and what a great idea for camping or tailgating also!
I love chili ANYTHING – fries, hot dogs, nachos…yum! What a great idea. Just in time for Super Bowl
boa noite, que ideia boa e simple para receber amigos, bjs.
chocolatesdocemel.blogspot.com
Genius! So manly, yet so adorable! And wrapping the crock pot! Love the options to do it yourself! ♥
I’m so doing this on Sunday! So easy and you can feed even the pickiest eaters! Btw, another great chili topping is French fried onions, you know the kind you put on old fashioned green bean casserole. They definitely Iadd some extra flavor and texture!
Fabulous! What time should we be over for the game?!
Chris, you have hit the nail on its head…we sri lankans are famous for its chillie and no curry taste as good without it. But this gives me an idea and let me try it at the next family gathering. love the idea
This looks great…I especially love the burlap cover on the crockpot…clever idea since those things are so unsightly! I’ll remember that next time
The Chili Fritos Bags…oh yes please! Great idea and love hiding hiding the crock pot with the burlap bag.
This is great! Though, now I’m extremely hungry!
This is such a cute set up! I love the “fill n’ go” Frito’s bags. So many fun ideas!
Thank you for listing the item in the dishes. So many times I see a great display but wonder what they are serving!
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing. Your so talented.
This is such a cute idea! It’s making me hungry! Great job as usual Chris!
I love this so much!!!
Love the idea! I may try it at the next gathering!