Celebrate National Chili Month (October) With XLNT Foods 2023!

When fall is in the air, you know what that means: National Chili Month! While the exact origin of the holiday is unknown, it's said that "chili queens" from San Antonio started the chili craze back in the 1800s when they created the delicious meal and sold it in carts on the streets. The good news is you don't have to search the streets to find chili today, and we have the whole month of October to celebrate it!

Why Should You Celebrate the Origins of Chili With National Chili Month?

This month is a great excuse to get the family together to share favorite chili recipes. It's also a time to honor those chili queens who had the inspiration and cooking chops to sell their seasoned beef, beans, and chili peppers to hungry Americans, beginning in San Antonio.

Chili Queen in San Antonio, March 1939 | Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

As the city grew, production grew, which meant a greater need for more food vendors. These women saw that need and went to work. Providing chili for the working class of San Antonio provided financially for their families. It also helped invent and popularize a hearty meal worth celebrating every October.

How Do You Celebrate National Chili Month?

Just as there are hundreds of chili recipes, there are hundreds of ways to party up this month. A few examples include:

Find a chili cook off near you! — ***Click here to find the most current Chili Cook off schedule in your area!***

• Join a Chili Cookoff: Chances are you've attended at least one chili cookoff in the past, but have you ever participated in one? It's not hard to throw a recipe together, and with the perfect combination, you could be the winner! If you're pressed for time, you can always use delicious pre-made chili con carne from XLNT Foods as your base. If you're really inspired, you can even host your own cookoff!

• Touring San Antonio: If you're in the Texas area, head back to the origin of chili and take your family on a tour of San Antonio. Of course you must try the original chili at one of many restaurants, but don't forget to take in some other sites. For October fun, you can schedule one of many haunted tours.

• Creating a 10-Course Meal: Have fun with a crew of dinner guests with a 10-course meal based around chili as your main dish. Side dishes that make for great companions to your main attraction include cornbread, potato skins, chicken tamales, grilled cheese, and green salad, and don't forget the cinnamon rolls for dessert.

• Trying a New Chili Every Day: October has 31 days. Do you think you could find 31 different recipes? You've got chicken chili, white chili, spicy chili, vegetarian chili, loaded chili — the list goes on.

Who Should Celebrate National Chili Month?

Anyone can celebrate this month, though how you enjoy it will look different for each household. You can take the holiday as a chance to unite a neighborhood or family. If your family tree has any roots in San Antonio, a celebration is especially in order.

On the last Friday of the month, everyone in the office could bring their favorite recipe to share for lunch. Your children could invite their favorite cook to come and teach about it in the classroom.

Other fun ways to celebrate other holidays could make for an exciting month as well, especially for children:

• Do you enjoy countdowns or calendars to usher in your favorite holidays? Get the kids involved with a countdown chain to get you to October.

• Do you read books or poems surrounding certain holidays? Check out "Armadilly Chili" with the kids.

What Other Dishes Can Be Made With Chili?

Chili always has a kick, but just serving a plain bowl of chili every day of National Chili Month might get a little boring. Luckily there is a wide variety of dishes to which you can add chili and make them more exciting:

• Chili Dogs: Make a chili dog by drenching your hot dog, bun and all, with chili. Top it with ketchup, mustard, and relish. Add some diced onions, extra chili peppers, and cheese to give it more fresh flavor.

• Chili Cheese Fries: All you need to make this popular dish are your favorite fries, a quality chili like XLNT chili, and the cheese of your choice. While the fries bake in the oven, heat the chili on the stove. Melt your cheese when the fries and chili are just about done. As soon as the fries come out of the oven, pour the chili over them, top with the cheese, and dig in!

• Frito Pie: Looking for something extra easy to make? Open a bag of Fritos, dump in some chili, stir it up, and you have Frito pie. Try adding other toppings, such as sour cream, cheese, lettuce, black olives, chives, and whatever else you think would add to the flavor.

• Chili Nachos: Make chili nachos by spreading your favorite tortilla chips on a baking sheet and spread a layer of chili over them. Sprinkle diced tomatoes and onions on top, and add a layer of cheese. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes or until the chili is warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• Breakfast Chili: Place a soft, warm tortilla on a plate, top it with chili, and put a fried egg on top. Add avocado and tomato slices, perhaps some mushrooms and onions, and you will have an amazing start to your day.

How Can You Make National Chili Month Unforgettable?

Simply taking the effort to start a new tradition can make for an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Arrange any event with family and friends this National Chili Month for a celebration to remember. You don't even need an old family recipe; with XLNT's high-quality, flavorful chili con carne, nobody will soon forget the way you made October a special month. To get your hands on some of the best and tastiest chili around, visit our store or place your order online today.