These leftover chili recipes are so delicious you’ll want to make them on a regular basis! Whether your chili of choice is of the classic T-Rex or Vegetarian variety, you’re bound to wind up with a leftover bowl or two. Let’s make something fabulous!
Leftover Chili Recipes
Here are some tasty suggestions on how to jazz up leftover chili to make the second helping as exciting as the first!
This is part of my “love your leftovers” series to help you find awesome, veggie forward ways to use up last night’s leftovers. These recipe revamps are fun and delicious!
1. Breakfast Bowls
Brunch like a champion with a chili-spiked breakfast bowl featuring fluffy scrambled eggs, melted cheese, crispy tater tots and a mountain of toppings.
I make these with my vegetarian quinoa chili all the time as a protein-packed weekend brunch! Use whatever you have on hand for an ultra-tasty way to start your day!
2. Chili Dogs
Tis tradition! Use your favorite frankfurter, turkey dog, or snag a vegetarian-friendly dog — they’re actually really tasty! Pile on the chili and even some cheese for good measure.
I like mine with a dollop of guacamole on top and a scoop of fresh pico de gallo.
3. Dip it!
One of my all-time favorite uses for extra chili is to make an easy peasy chili cheese dip the following day. You can do this with any type of chili (it even works with vegan chili – woot!) and can make as much or as little as you’d like. This one is particularly awesome for all your game day shenanigans!
4. Chili Cheese Fries. Because, duh.
Like I mentioned earlier, chili + potatoes = pure unadulterated deliciousness. It’s science. Heat up leftover chili and pour it over freshly baked french fries or tater tots. Top with grated cheese and pop back in the oven to melt for a few minutes, then pile on all your favorite toppings! I love adding pico de gallo.
You can use any type of fries your heart desires from crinkle cut to sweet potato fries to butternut fries!
5. Stuff it in a Spud
This is my solution to just about every leftover situation known to man. Leftovers from taco night? Stuff it in a spud! Didn’t finish breakfast? Stuff it in spud! Craving last night’s chili? Stuff it in a spud! Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are particularly glorious. You’re welcome.
No sweet potatoes handy? Try a russet potato or you can even stuff your chili into a roasted spaghetti squash for the most epic of re-purposed recipes.
6. Turn it into a Sloppy Joe!
Bonus points if you make your bun out of cornbread. Cue excessive swooning.
7. Scoop it on a Salad
Yes, really! Have you ever had a taco salad? It’s glorious! Hearty chili means you won’t even need a salad dressing. Simply add all the fresh veggies your heart desires and then smother them in a mountain of toppings.
The fact that it’s sitting on a bed of green goodness basically cancels out any calories from the cheese you just doused it with.*
*lies I willingly tell myself
8. Make an epic chili bowl
Serve leftover chili over roasted potatoes (both white potatoes and sweet potatoes work great — you can even opt for red potatoes or purple potatoes!) with all your favorite chili toppings.
Though I made mine gloriously grain-free, chili bowls are also amazing on a base of fluffy white rice. Paul always requests this when I make chili. I’ll try to snap some photos next time we make them — they’re delish!
9. Leftover Chili Nachos!!! YES!
Your perfect plate-o-nachos just got even better! Here in Texas, adding chili to nachos is pretty much a MUST! You’ll find this appetizer on so many menus, and for good reason too! It’s absolutely amazing and can be made with any type of chili!
Looking for some nacho recipes to get you started? Here are some of my favorites. Right now I am on a tater tot nacho kick. They’re so flipping good!
10. Add it to a Burger!
Leftover chili makes a deeeeelish burger topping! You can make a t-rex worthy chili burger or use a store bought or homemade veggie burger as your base for a fully plant based faceplant.
I’ll try to pop back over and update this post as I come up with more creations. There are literally so many things to make with leftover chili!
Tasty Chili Recipes to Try
- NEW! Red Lentil Quinoa Chili
- Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
- Three Bean Chili
- Spicy Harissa Turkey Chili (Instant Pot + Stove Top)
- Crock Pot Taco Chili
If you get a chance to try any of these delicious things to do with leftover chili, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Questions & Reviews
Dear Jenn, we had chili for lunch yesterday. It is packed for work lunch as usual but you have just given me completely new perspective. The only “problem” I have is which option to use 🙂 Thank you so very much !