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Halloween chili recipe - featured image

Halloween Chili Recipe: Easy Spooky Dinner Idea for Parties

  • Author: Yanna Adams
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This festive Halloween chili is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for parties and cozy nights in. Packed with protein, veggies, and bold spices, it’s easy to customize and decorate with spooky toppings for a fun, memorable meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bell peppers—orange and green, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup beef or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Sour cream (for piping spiderwebs)
  • Sliced black olives (for “eyeballs”)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Scallions, sliced thin
  • Tortilla chips or strips

Instructions

  1. Dice onion, bell peppers, and mince garlic. Slice jalapeño if using.
  2. Heat Dutch oven over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add onions, garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeño. Sauté for 5 minutes until veggies soften and onions are translucent.
  4. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir and toast spices for 2 minutes.
  5. Pour in broth, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, black beans, and kidney beans. Stir to combine.
  7. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Add more broth if needed.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, chili powder, or hot sauce if desired.
  9. Serve chili in bowls. Decorate with sour cream spiderwebs, black olive “eyeballs,” cheddar cheese, scallions, and tortilla chips.
  10. Set out extra toppings for guests to decorate their own bowls.

Notes

Toast spices for deeper flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Set up a topping bar for guests to decorate their own bowls. For vegetarian or vegan, use plant-based meat and dairy-free toppings. Chili thickens as it sits; add broth if reheating. Make ahead for deeper flavor.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 7
  • Sodium: 700
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 8
  • Protein: 18

Keywords: Halloween chili, spooky dinner, party recipe, easy chili, festive chili, kid-friendly, autumn, comfort food, Halloween party, chili bar

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Find it online: https://theyumrecipes.com/halloween-chili-recipe-easy-spooky-dinner-idea-for-parties/