Wondering what to put on top of chili?
Looking for some incredibly fun and delectably divine chili toppings?
Well, you have come to the right place!
There’s just something so magical and exceptional about a bowl of steaming hot chili with a delightful topping.
Whether you prepare home-cooked chili or simply heat up some store-bought cans of chili, you can elevate this dish with so many unique and delicious toppings.
Let’s take a look at some of the best chili toppings out there!
Chili Toppings
There are just so many food toppings that go oh-so-well with chili. Each topping has its own unique flavors and texture to the dish, which helps take it to the next level.
Here are some of my favorite chili toppings that you must try:
The classic American Topping
If you're a traditionalist, then there’s no better chili topping for you to try than the classic topping loved by us Americans.
Top off that delicious bowl of chili with some chopped red onions, shredded cheese, jalapeños, cilantro, and sour cream for a dreamy meal.
Chorizo and Cheddar Cheese
Sometimes, you are craving more protein than the beef in your chili. In such an instance, pan-fry some loose Mexican chorizo until it’s nice and crispy. Pair the crunchy chorizo with a generous helping of sharp shredded cheddar cheese.
The cheese will perfectly offset the spiciness of the chili and also add some much-needed creaminess to the dish. You can also top it with some freshly chopped scallions for an added layer of flavor.
Cornbread
cornbread? Even though cornbread is usually paired with chili as a hearty side, I like to use it as a creative and mouthwatering topping for chili.
Prepare the bread by whisking together 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 cup of cornmeal, 1 ½ teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
Once you have mixed the dry ingredients properly, add 1 egg, ½ cup of milk, ½ teaspoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the mix. Make sure to stir the mixture until all the ingredients have blended seamlessly.
Pour the prepared chili into a small baking dish, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on it, and spread the cornbread mixture evenly on top.
Bake the chili cornbread at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes. Take the dish out of the oven and dig in!
Spaghetti
Want a creative twist on plain, old chili? Try having your spicy chili with some spaghetti!
Finish off this divine combo with some chopped green onions and shredded cheddar cheese. If you want to melt the cheese so that it becomes deliciously gooey, you can microwave the dish for a minute or two.
Pozole
Pozole is a delectable traditional Mexican stew. You can prepare it by simply adding some hominy on top of your chili.
For an added texture and flavor, add some chopped onions on top and finish off the dish with a squirt of fresh lime juice.
Fajitas
For some fajita fun, stir-fry some sliced red bell peppers and onions with a dash of salt and some freshly ground pepper. Keep stirring until the fajita mix is slightly soft. Put this prepared mix on top of your chili bowl for a crunchy and colorful topping.
Maple Syrup and Sour Cream
Sometimes, you just want something sweet with your chili. Even though there are a lot of sweet chili toppings that you can look into, nothing beats a dash of maple syrup.
However, if you’re worried that it will be too sweet for your spicy chili, then pair it with some spiced sour cream to balance out the sweetness.
Simply stir some maple syrup into the chili while heating it up. Toast some cumin seeds in a pan until they give off a fragrance and combine them with some sour cream. Top the maple syrup chili with the spicy sour cream.
Butternut Squash
Another textured and flavorful chili topping is butternut squash. Simply drizzle the squash cubes with some olive oil and then roast it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
Stir the baked squash into your chili. It will add a great texture to your dish!
Tips on Serving Chili
The best way to serve chili is to prepare a delicious chili bar! Simply pour a generous helping of chili in a large bowl and add all sorts of toppings on top.
You can add some guacamole, sliced scallions, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, lightly crushed tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, cilantro leaves, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, and hot sauce to the dish. Additionally, you can pair the chili with some freshly-prepared green salad and cornbread.
The Bottom Line
I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on chili toppings! Each of the aforementioned toppings adds a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
Make sure to try all the toppings that I’ve mentioned above so that you can find the ones that you love the most!
Amber Kolb says
All of these toppings look amazing! I'm craving chili now!
Devon Pickford says
Yummy. Can’t wait to try with chorizo!
Susan Smith says
All of these topping looks delicious!
Linda Beaton says
Sour cream on my chili? Brilliant!
Brandon Sparks says
I really can't wait to try this..
Candace George says
I love chili and the eight chili toppings sound delicious! I plan to make each one.