10 Tips for Setting Up Your Chili Dinner Board
Charcuterie boards have been one of the most popular dining trends for the past several years. These party favorites traditionally feature a selection of sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables. However, modern charcuterie lovers are branching out to other types of food. Whether you are watching the big game or looking for a creative dish to bring to a potluck, a chili dinner board can be a fun addition to any gathering.
10 Tips for Setting Up Your Chili Dinner Board
If you are new to the idea of creating a charcuterie board or are not sure how to do it with chili, these tips can help you get started.
1. Cook the Chili Ahead of Time
The flavors in a good chili require some time to meld together, and chili is often the best the next day. Cooking the day before your event frees you up for other party preparations and gives your chili plenty of time to get tasty. However, if you are short on time, you can get that same slow-cooked chili flavor without the wait by using XLNT's chili con carne chili starter.
2. Do Not Skimp on the Toppings
The fun thing about a chili dinner board is it gives all of your guests lots of options to customize their chili creations. You can include any toppings or mix-ins you or your guests like.
Common offerings include:
Grated cheese
Red, white, or green onion
Cilantro
Sour cream
Saltines or oyster crackers
Corn chips
Other popular toppings include jalapenos, lime wedges, avocado, diced tomatoes, queso fresco, and Greek yogurt.
3. Include Some Side Dishes
Cornbread is one of the most popular side dishes for chili, and it works well on a chili dinner board because you can cut it into small squares or wedges. Make your own from a mix or from scratch or buy it from a local family-style restaurant.
Other side dishes to consider include:
Potato skins
Party-sized grilled cheese sandwiches
Soft pretzels
Rice
Tamales
Whichever sides you choose, think about how your guests will eat them. If your board is for a potluck where everyone will be sitting at a table and have a selection of plates, bowls, and cutlery, options such as rice are more workable than if your guests will be walking around a party or seated on the couch in front of the television.
4. Choose the Right Board
Flat charcuterie boards intended for meats and cheeses may not be ideal for a chili dinner board. A large board with sides will help you accommodate a greater variety of foods and help keep bowls of toppings from sliding off the board.
5. Assemble Your Board for Presentation and Access
You want your chili board to look nice but also be easily accessible to your guests. Put down a hot pad first to prevent the heat from the chili from damaging the board. Then place a large bowl or pot in the center of the board and fill it with chili. If you are serving a large group, you can keep the chili in a slow cooker on the warm setting and add more chili to your board as it runs low.
Place small bowls with your chili toppings around the outside edge of the board. Position your side dishes in the space between the toppings. Add a ladle to the chili bowl, smaller serving spoons for toppings, and tongs for larger items.
6. Offer Multiple Serving Options
In addition to providing your guests with bowls and plates, consider offering additional serving options with your chili dinner board, such as tortillas or tortilla chips. This increases the fun factor and provides other options for guests who prefer a more finger-food-friendly option.
7. Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options
Most chili is gluten-free without having to do anything to it, but some of your accompaniments may not be. Be sure to include at least a few gluten-free options. A vegetarian option is also nice to have, and there are many vegetarian chili recipes and store-bought chilis to choose from.
8. Try Some Other Chili Varieties
Traditional chili is always popular. However, if you are feeling adventurous, try out some non-traditional recipes, such as pulled pork, chicken, turkey, Texas Red, Oklahoma Chili, Chili Verde, White Bean Chili. If you want to really show off, consider offering several types of chili on the same chili dinner board. See some of our favorites from XLNT Foods Guide to The Best Types of Chili Across the Country
9. Do Not Forget the Napkins
Chili can be messy. Make sure your guests have plenty of napkins. Wet wipes are a nice touch, and it may pay to keep some emergency stain remover on hand for your carpet or your friend's favorite shirt.
10. Spice Up Your Chili Dinner Board With XLNT
Want to serve a chili dinner board at your next gathering but don't want to do all the cooking? Our chili con carne and beef and chicken tamales are a perfect fit. Place your order online today.
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