Have you ever tried to make chili and it turned out too thin? We’ve all been there. It can be frustrating when your bowl of chili turns out watery instead of thick and hearty. Don’t worry, we have a few tricks up our sleeve that will show you how to thicken chili in no time!

Many people are looking for how to thicken chili recipes. While chili is a favorite dish during the cooler months because it’s warm and hearty, it is also a dish that people love thru out the year and has many variations.

Most people like their chili thick, but sometimes the consistency turns out thin and soupy. It can be difficult to get the consistency right when making chili, but there are ways you can thicken your chili that will work for everyone!

In this post, we’re going to discuss how to thicken chili using 13 different methods as well as answer some of the most common questions about making chili.

How To Thicken Chili with Cornstarch

Corn starch can be used for many cooking needs, including chili. Corn starch is a carbohydrate that works by breaking down into glucose molecules in water, which thickens the liquid and lends it a glossy appearance.

If you’re looking to thicken chili with corn starch, here are four steps that will get the job done:

• Add two tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of corn starch.
• Let it sit for about five minutes until it’s dissolved in liquid form.
• Add this mixture to your pot containing cooked beans then you will want to let the chili simmer for about five more minutes.
• Season and enjoy your thickened chili!

Many people use corn starch for their chili because it’s one of the safe and easy ways to thicken chili.

How To Thicken Chili with Baking Powder

Baking powder when mixed with liquid will release bubbles of carbon dioxide. This action will thicken the chili if you let it sit for about ten minutes.

To thicken chili with baking powder, you will want to follow the steps below:

• Add one tablespoon of water and two tablespoons of baking powder.
• Let it sit for about five minutes until it’s dissolved in liquid form.
• Add this mixture to your pot containing cooked beans and then you need to mix the ingredients with a whisk.
• Once it’s fully mixed, you will want to let thicken for about five minutes before eating and add any additional seasonings that may be needed at this time.

Some people use baking powder in their chili because it is a cheaper alternative to using cornstarch or flour.

How To Thicken Chili With Potato Starch

If you want to thicken chili without adding a lot of calories, then try using potato starch instead. It’s made from potatoes which are high in fiber but low-calorie and will thicken chili without changing how it tastes.

To do this, simply follow the steps below:

• Add 1 tablespoon of potato starch to 2 tablespoons of water.
• Mix well until there are no clumps left.
• Add this mixture into your chili, stir thoroughly.
• Let your chili simmer and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add this thickener as needed while cooking.

Using potato starch to thicken the chili is a healthy alternative to using flour or cornstarch. You can also use potato flakes to give you the desired thickness.

How To Thicken Chili with Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is a common ingredient in many chili recipes. It’s a simple way to thicken your dish because it has natural thickening properties.

Here’s what you need to do if you want to use tomato paste to thicken your chili:

• Add tomato paste to your chili and stir well.
• To make this even easier, use a whisk.
• Let the chili cook for at least ten minutes before deciding if you need more tomato paste.

Adding tomato paste to your chili not only thickens your chili, but it’s rich in lycopene, which is a good anti-oxidant.

How To Thicken Chili with Flour

Adding flour is another way to thicken chili that people use. Here’s how you can use flour to thicken the chili:

• Add some water and flour into a bowl.
• Whisk the mixture together until it is smooth.
• Add this mixture slowly while stirring, so you do not have clumps of flour in your dish.

Flour is a great addition to chili because it thins out the meat and makes it less chewy. It also helps bind everything together.

How To Thicken Chili with Cornmeal

If you like cornbread then you’ll love using this, but If you decide to use cornmeal make sure to stay away from coarse-grind cornmeal or dry cornbread mixes. These have thicker properties which make it difficult to dissolve into your chili.

• Mix a tablespoon of cornmeal with water.
• Pour the mixture into the chili.
• Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir frequently until you get the thickness you want.

How to Thicken Chili with Masa Harina

Masa Harina is a flour made from corn and is used in Latin American cuisine to make tortillas and other dishes. Don’t confuse this with cornmeal as Masa Harina has a whiter color and gives off a thickness of flour.

• Add 2 tablespoons of masa harina to your chili.
• Check the thickness after 5-10 minutes.
• Repeat the steps if necessary.

How To Thicken Chili with Mashed Beans

If you’re looking for a new way to thicken your chili, then mashed beans may be the answer.

• Drain excess liquid from your canned or home-cooked beans in a colander.
• Mix them with some water into paste form using a potato masher or an immersion blender on low power.
• Add this mixture back into your chili.

This process is called mashing because it breaks down large bean pieces so they release their natural starches and can combine more easily with other ingredients like tomatoes.

How To Thicken Chili with Quick Oats

Quick oats cook much faster and are more finely ground than regular oats, which may make them a better choice for thickening up your chili. In addition, oats are also a rich source of nutrients.

• Add 1 teaspoon of oats and stir.
• Keep an eye on it as thickening happens quickly.
• Add more if necessary.

How To Thicken Chili Using Tortilla Chips

What do you do if the only thing in your pantry are tortilla chips? Put those to work!

• Crush up the tortilla chips.
• Add it into a pot and mix with cold water until they’re all soaked.
• Add to chili and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Stir occasionally so any un-crushed pieces don’t clump together at the bottom of the pot (otherwise they’ll burn).

The oil from this snack will help make sure there’s enough fat for flavor while also thickening chili up considerably. You can also use corn chips instead of the tortilla chips if you like.

How To Thicken Chili with Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a thickener that’s also used as an emulsifier in salad dressings, sauces and other recipes. These vegetable-based fibers are obtained through the fermentation of corn sugar or molasses to form long chains of polysaccharides (sugars).

Also, if you think of toothpaste, bubblegum, or ice cream, the one thing they have in common is they all use xanthan gum. One benefit of xanthan gum is that it does not inherently alter the flavor of a pot of chili.

To thicken chili using xanthan gum simply dissolve a few tablespoons of it into cold water before adding it to your chili.

How To Thicken Chili with Beer

It can be hard to find a recipe that hits the note you’re looking for. Using beer is one of the many ways to thicken chili but it’s also a great way to add flavor. The beer you choose will change how your chili tastes but the result can be amazing!

Beyond being a flavor enhancer for chili, beer is also a decent thickener. That’s because beer contains starch.

• Cook beer on medium heat for few minutes.
• Mix it with the chili.
• Let it simmer for a few more minutes.

Alternatively, you can pour the beer into your chili without cooking it and wait an hour for thickening to take effect.

How To Thicken Chili with Arrowroot

Arrowroot can be found in most supermarkets or online stores. Arrowroot looks like a white powder and has no flavor so it won’t change the flavor of your chili.

• Add 1 teaspoon of arrowroot with 1 teaspoon of cold water.
• Stir well and add the mixture to your chili.
• Let it simmer until you get the thickness you want.

Chili Cooking – Frequently Asked Questions

Ways to thicken chili when you serve it?

The best way to thicken a dish is by adding something that will also add flavor, such as fat or cheese, while still being able to serve it right away. You don’t want to wait for your food too long before serving.

To thicken chili that has been served, add one of the following ingredients as toppings:

Cheddar Cheese

Adding cheddar cheese will make your chili a little thicker because the proteins in the milk and fat from the cheddar react to each other, causing them to thicken.

Cheddar cheese will make your chili thicker, but you’ll want to wait for it to melt before serving

Sour Cream

The protein in sour cream reacts to the liquid from your chili, which will thicken it.

Add a tablespoon or two of sour cream and let it sit for about five minutes before serving. It’s great because you can add just enough without having too much.

This is a popular topping at most American eateries because of how well it pairs with the spiciness in traditional dishes.

French Fried Onions

French fried onions can be used for more than just making a great green bean casserole. You can use them as an additional topping for your chili.

Simply add the french fried onions on top of your chili and it will instantly add flavor of the dish.

White Bread or Bread Crumbs

This is one of the easier ways to thicken chili because you can just crumble up some bread and mix it in with the chili.

What Pot Should I Use To Cook the Chili?

Yes, the pots that are used for cooking chili can make a difference. There are many pots to choose from but you want one that distributes heat evenly, which reduces burning.

You also want a pot that is non-reactive. This simply means that it doesn’t react with the food being cooked. Any food that is acidic can damage a reactive pot and transfer metal material to your food.

Some foods that are acidic are: Tomatoes (tomato sauce, salsa), wine, cranberry sauce, pickling brine, lemon, rhubarb, etc.

Let’s take a look at my top 2 chili pot recommendations.

Calpahlon Classic Nonstick 6 Quart Stockpot with Cover

This is the pot I actually use for a lot of my cooking. It is made using hard-anodized aluminum which provides even heat distribution and results in better cooking.

It features two layers of durable, non-stick material, which makes cleanup so much easier and almost eliminates burning and sticking when cooking your chili.

This pot comes with a tempered glass lid, a pouring spout, straining covers and measuring marks for even more convenience.

Learn more about the Calphalon Classic Pot

Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Pot with Lid

This pot is a solid choice as stainless steel with an aluminum core is great for even heat distribution and easy cleaning. It is corrosion-resistant and you can even throw it in the dishwasher. It also has thick rolled rims which makes it easier to pour from the sides of this pot.

With its comfortable handles and iconic styling, it’s oven compatible and can hold 8 quarts at once! You can serve up all your hearty favorites in style with Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Cookware.

For me personally, I like the Calphalon pot better because it seems easier to handle and comes with the measuring marks.

Learn more about the Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Pot

How To Thicken Chili Verde?

Chili verde is a type of chili that includes tomatillos, green chilies and jalapenos. It can be made with chicken or pork as well. You have some options when it comes to thickening the chili. One option is to add a flour or cornstarch slurry, either before cooking the recipe or after it is done cooking.

Another option that you have would be using canned green enchilada sauce in place of some (or all) of the chicken broth. Some people use a potato masher and mash up some extra white hominy. White hominy contains natural starches, so it will help make the liquid thicker.

To season your dish, add salt and pepper as desired. If you don’t want to mash up the hominy, you can use a blender and puree. You could use masa harina for the desired thickness as well.

Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes without the lid. This will allow for the evaporation of liquids.

Can I Thicken Green Chili without Changing the Flavor?

Green chili is a different but very popular type of chili. It has pork in it, not beef and beans. Green chiles, tomatillos, onions and cilantro are all mixed together which makes for a great meal.

The best way to make your green chili thicker without losing the taste is to start simmering it for a longer period of time. This can be done by letting the moisture evaporate.

This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. If you want to make this happen faster, take a couple of cups of broth from the chili, add 2 tablespoons of flour, stir, then add the mixture back to the chili and stir.

What’s the Difference Between Texas Chili, Regular Chili and Cincinnati Chili?

Texas Chili

Texans make chili quite different from the regular or Cincinnati chili’s. Texas chili does not contain beans or tomato sauce, or any tomato product.

Texas chili is comprised mostly of meat, such as a cubed roast and dried chili peppers. It’s like a thick beef stew with a chili pepper flavor.

Regular Chili

Regular chili uses ground beef, tomatoes and/or tomato sauce, beans, onion and peppers. Seasonings such as chili powder, garlic, and paprika can be added, mixed, and cooked together.

Me personally, I like my chili hot and add cumin, a little bit of habanero peppers and a product called 2-Alarm Chili Mix as well, but it’s up to your individual taste.

The chili’s consistency typically falls somewhere between a soup and a stew, with the heat ranging from mild to make your nose run hottt. Some people like to add grated cheese to their chili as well as chopped onions and saltines.

Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati chili is a regional specialty started in the mid-20th century in Cincinnati, Ohio and has been called “a unique dish with no peer anywhere.”

When I was in college I was introduced to Skyline Chili and loved it. Fair warning, it is an acquired tasted. Its main ingredients are ground beef, beans, tomato paste, garlic powder, fresh minced onion, cinnamon, allspice, cumin and even cocoa.

With Cincinnati chili you have a sweeter taste than the other types and you can do more with it. I use this type of chili and add it over spaghetti. Then I add some shredded cheese on top. You can also top it with some beans and diced onions. It also makes for a great chili dog!

Can I Eat Chili on a Keto Diet?

A ketogenic diet can be hard for some people to live on. You can’t eat certain foods but there are some dishes that you can make keto-friendly. Chili is one of these dishes and it’s easy to do this with the following ingredients:

Chicken or beef, instead of beans you can use low-carb vegetables such as cauliflower. You can also toss in some diced tomatoes and bell peppers.

How to Thicken Up Chili in Slow Cooker?

Many people have major troubles with the consistency of their chili when using a slow cooker. Most of the attempts result in excess liquid that’s too watery to be considered true chili.

It can be frustrating but we have a quick and simple solution to help thicken your thin chili!

If you’re using beans in your chili, take half the beans out and either mash them by hand with a potato masher, or put them in a food processor. Then simply add them back to your chili.

If you don’t use beans in your chili you may want to consider using masa harina. It thickens the chili and binds the water and fat. It’s really a magical dust.

If you have excess liquid, try not using diced tomatoes and try using whole tomatoes and let them do the work. This is a great way how to thicken chili in your slow cooker.

How To Thicken Chili – Conclusion

As you can see, there’s not just one way for thickening chili. In the end, there’s no right or wrong way. What matters is what you like and how much time you want to spend in the kitchen cooking it up!

You deserve the best-thickened, most delicious bowl of chili possible. And with these tips, you’ll be able to achieve just that! So go ahead and add one of these methods to your chili recipe today! You won’t regret it.

I hope this article has given you some insight on how to thicken chili. I tried to cover all the bases I could think of and answer some common questions about chili. If you found this helpful, share with your friends and make sure to leave a comment.

How do YOU thicken your chili? What is the flavor of your chili? Share your thoughts and experiences below – we’d love to hear from you!

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