Here's How to Thicken Chili for a Comforting Meal (2024)

FAQs

What is a good thickener for chili? ›

Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats.

For 1 tablespoon of flour, use 2 tablespoons of water. No slurry is required for the absorbent oats; simply stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons. In all cases, allow the chili to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more, and you should notice it thicken up.

Using Cornmeal to Thicken Chili

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Equal parts of flour (or corn starch) and water. Mix thoroughly. Bring chili to a boil and gradually add the flour slurry to the pot until the desired consistency is reached.

In addition, broth, beer, and/ or water is usually added to produce the desired consistency in the pot of chili. I usually add one or two cups of beef broth. If you put tomatoes in the stew, this will also provide plenty of liquid.

Thickeners: Add ingredients like cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water), mashed beans, or ground tortilla chips to thicken the chili. Flour or Cornmeal: Dusting the chili with flour or cornmeal can help absorb excess liquid and change the taste.

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews. However, you'll want to avoid adding these ingredients directly to your recipe, as this will result in clumps. Instead, create a slurry and add it slowly to help the thickener fully incorporate.

Add more water or tomato sauce if it's too thick. Keeping the lid on can keep the steam in resulting in thinner chili.

A low-carb thickener for chili could be xanthan gum or glucomannan powder. Both of these are low-carb, keto-friendly thickeners that can be used in small amounts to thicken chili without adding carbs.

Heavy Cream / Milk / Sour Cream / Cheese

Another great thickening agent is dairy, whether heavy cream, milk, sour cream, or even shredded cheese. You'll want to incorporate these ingredients on low heat. With the heavy cream or milk, you'll add that to your whole pot of chili before serving.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

When your chili is too thick, it's easy to thin it out a bit. Just add some liquid. You can add beef, chicken, or veggie broth, or you can add a can of tomato sauce. You could add water, too, but it will dilute the flavor of the chili.

Mix together water and cornstarch. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to red chile until the sauce thickens.

Purée the beans.

Remove a quarter of the beans from the soup and purée them in a blender or food processor. Add the puréed beans back into the soup to thicken it. You can also use an immersion blender or potato masher to purée a portion of the bean soup.

Begin by heating 2 tablespoons oil or fat in a saucepan over medium heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil just begins to bubble. Then, whisk in 3-1/2 tablespoons of flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue whisking as the roux gently bubbles and cooks to the shade desired.