How To Set Up A Chili Bar (2024)

Dinner, Recipes

Amy's Nutrition Kitchen
January 29, 2023

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We are two weeks away from the big game! The final four teams: San Francisco, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Cincinnati. Who will be the final two? If you’re not into the actual football, odds are you like the commercials and/or halftime. However, I think that we all can agree on is the FOOD! Whether you’re cheering for the Eagles and are dying to have a cheesesteak or are dreaming of Kansas City BBQ, the food is always the *star* of the show. Even if you’re not a Cincinnati fan, let me convince you to set up a chili bar for the big game. Imagine that you can top your chili your own way, or use it as a topping for French fries, hot dogs, nachos and more! I’m not even a Cincinnati fan, but I am a fan of a chili bar!

Hosting parties can be fun, but they can also be a lot of work. The reason this chili bar works well is that the vegetarian chili is actually super simple to make and prep ahead. Whether you make the chili the day before and/or freeze it the week before, the chili can also stay warm in a crockpot/slow cooker the day of. Talk about a game changer (see what I did there). This way you the host can actually (hopefully) enjoy the party too. From there it’s simply prepping the toppings and a side the morning of. A little bit of chopping and throwing your ingredients into bowls and you’ll be good to go!

Set Up: Chili Bar

For this party buffet, you’re definitely going to want to use a large table or counter to set up all the fixings. Simply make sure that you have enough space for the chili, toppings, and utensils.
Additionally, you can also use your dining room table or a kitchen island. Push your table against the wall in order to use the outlet, as you’ll definitely want to keep the chili warm in the slow cooker/crockpot.
This is the best part about the chili bar: the chili is served straight from the slow cooker.
If you’re serving rice, cornbread, or buns and those need to be warmed/stay warm, you can always use chafing dishes. There are some you can invest in and/or feel free to use disposable. Use whatever makes more sense to you!
A few other ideas to make this party festive! I prefer eating tortilla chips crushed on top of my chili, however, word on the street is people like that brand Fritos. You can place mini bags of the Fritos (or tortilla chips) in a wire basket for a cute display. Some people even fill the bag with the chili and their toppings and eat right out of the bag.
Label all your chili toppings even if you think they’re self-explanatory. Pickled jalapeños aren’t as spicy as raw jalapeños (in my opinion).
Get creative with your decorations. Today’s theme is football and the big game. However, a chili bar can be themed for whatever the occasion is – birthday, family get-togethers, even for Halloween!

This chili bar is always a hit for the entire family, friends, and loved ones. Whether you serve your chili with rice or cornbread, use your chili as a topping on a baked potato or fries, there’s something for everyone!

Ingredients: Chili Bar

Choose Your Chili: As you begin to assemble your guest list, consider the food preferences for those that will be coming. My chili recipe is vegetarian. The idea here is to tailor the chili recipe selection to satisfy as many people as possible. While vegetarian chili isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I always have shredded chicken and/or ground beef to the side for people to add in. And the alternative is to have two separate chilis prepared: one for meat lovers and one for vegetarians.
Assemble Your Toppings: Winning is having enough toppings for the chili. Losing is not having enough. The mix-ins and garnishes are really what make the chili bar concept fun. Consider having a wide variety of toppings even if they’re not your favorite, someone else is bound to enjoy! Make sure to store your dairy products like cheese, sour cream, etc. in small bowls nestled in a larger tray of ice for food safety. Please and thanks – no food-borne illness after this party!
Choose your chili topping bar ideas: Guacamole, Pico de gallo, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, diced red onion/pickled red onion, sliced scallions, sliced/pickled radish, sliced/pickled jalapeños, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream/Greek yogurt, queso dip, hot sauce, cornbread, beer bread, Fritos/tortilla chips/Hot Cheetos, Tater tots, rice, and/or baked potato.
Build Your Bowl: As you set up your table, think about the way your guests can build their bowls the easiest. Start with the bowls in the far end, then position the chili before all the toppings. Last, but not least, stack napkins and spoons on the opposite end so everyone can dive in to their gameday eats!

A fairly easy recipe for a build-it-yourself chili bar for your next get-together. Even if you’re not rooting for Cincinnati, you could always turn this into a taco bar or even a BBQ bar. Football, food, friends and family. Perfect recipe.