19 Leftover Chili Recipes

Leftover chili recipes that won’t feel like you’re eating the same chili again, and again.

If you landed here, chances are you’re looking for leftover chili recipes to make a great meal. Well, you can always reheat it and eat it just how it is. I know I’ve been guilty of that a few times.

But if you want to prepare a meal for the family, we’ve got you covered with these recipes using leftover chili that will make your taste buds go to heaven and back. Let’s get straight to it!

Leftover Chili Recipes (Appetizers)

chili cheese fries

This leftover chili cheese fries recipe is super simple to prepare and perfect for game night. It looks like a restaurant-worthy appetizer! For this recipe, I advise using thick-cut French fries.

Chili nachos

Grab your corn chips and let’s take a trip to Mexico! This leftover chili nacho recipe looks incredibly appealing, which is why I love serving it as an appetizer when I’m receiving guests for dinner.

Chili cheese empanadas

The good old empanada, one of my favorite Mexican appetizers. In this recipe, chili and cheddar cheese blend beautifully in a golden brown, flaky dough. And when I prepare them for guests, they disappear in no time!

Air Fryer jalapeno Poppers

These poppers are ideal for a fast and easy appetizer when guests come calling. Use a mix of half chili and half cheese. Then throw them in the air fryer for the fastest app ever!

Chili taco salad

This recipe calls for ground beef and beans, but I like to replace them with chili for a light lunch. And the cilantro lime dressing that accompanies it is out of this world!

Leftover Chili Recipes (Sandwiches and Burgers) 

chili cheese grilled sandwich

Take your snack game to a whole other level all while using your leftover chili with this legendary grilled cheese sandwich. It might be a little messy, but I promise it’s worth it.

chili cheeseburger

If you’ve got some leftover chili and are about to whip up a burger, it would be a shame to leave it to waste. With onion strings, melted cheese, beef, and chili, this monstrous burger is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover chili.

chili cheese dog bake 

If you’ve got hot dogs and leftover chili, why not have a go at these cute little chili cheese dog bakes? In this recipe, sausage and American cheese are wrapped in crescent rolls before being baked in your leftover chili. Yum!

chili cheese burrito

This leftover chili cheese burrito only takes 20 minutes to prepare and is bound to put a smile on the whole family’s face.

This recipe calls for diced onion, cheese, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and salsa. I’ll let you in on my little secret – a bit of Tex Mex paste adds a big punch of flavor to this burrito.

Leftover Chili Recipes (Casseroles)

Crunchy taco pie

If you or the kids are fans or Doritos, this crunchy taco pie with leftover beef might be right up your alley. I love how customizable this dish is; I’m always experimenting with different toppings!

Easy walking taco casserole

One of the best things about this recipe is that it requires simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. The term “walking taco,” which is also used to refer to this dish, was trademarked by Frito-Lay in 2022.

Chili mac and cheese

Another classic comfort food, mac and cheese, can be elevated with some leftover chili. I love cooking this casserole dish for a weeknight dinner as it tastes great reheated the next day for lunch.

Chili pasta bake

If your kids don’t already love you (I’m sure they do!), they definitely will after you cook them this leftover chili pasta bake. This recipe uses mushrooms and onion, but you can always omit them to keep this dish extra kid-friendly.

Loaded tater tots

Loaded tater tots are the perfect cheesy and savory comfort food. From game day to an Oscar watch party, they’re the perfect appetizer.

VEGETARIAN Recipes for Leftover Recipes

chili stuffed sweet potatoes

With paprika, garlic cloves, red chili flakes, and chili powder, this chili-stuffed sweet potato recipe sure packs a punch! And it literally takes 5 minutes to prep before throwing it in the oven.

Chili cheese stuffed spaghetti squash

If you’re looking to use up your leftover chili without packing on the weight, this chili cheese stuffed spaghetti squash is a great option. It’s low-carb, keto, and very easy to prepare. 

Stuffed banana peppers

In this recipe, the peppers are slightly baked until soft. Then, they’re stuffed with our delicious leftover chili and shredded cheese. Voila! 

chili stuffed zucchini boats

If you’ve got some leftover chili and are a vegetable fan, you might love this chili stuffed zucchini boat recipe. My favorite toppings for this recipe are hot sauce, green onion, and sour cream. But you can get creative and add your own.

Stuffed chili baked potatoes

Yes, if you’ve seen my latest russet potato recipes, you probably already know that I’m a sucker for potatoes! And leftover chili allows you to prepare this baked potato recipe in no time!

Best Chili Recipes

5 can slow cooker chili 

On cold weeknights when I don’t really feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I often turn to this 5-can slow cooker chili recipe. Yes, it takes a while to cook, but the only preparation required is throwing your ingredients in the slow cooker!

Stuffed Pepper Soup

The perfect mix of chili and pepper soup. Made in your crockpot for a quick weeknight meal or when you’re feeding a large group of family and friends.

Leftover Chili FAQs

How long does leftover chili last?

At room temperature, leftover chili will only last up to 2 hours before going bad. So, it’s important to quickly put your leftover chili in the fridge or the freezer. In the fridge, leftover chili with meat is good for 3 to 4 days. If kept frozen, it stays good for up to six months.

How do you store leftover chili?

If you are storing your leftover chili in the fridge, keep it in an airtight container. This will make sure that the chili keeps all its flavors and that no odors present in the fridge contaminate the chili. 

If you are storing your leftover chili in the freezer, use heavy-duty zip bags. Before doing so, try to remove as much air from the bag as possible.

What can you eat with leftover chili?

There are tons of possibilities, from smoked corn to jalapeño poppers. Since chili and sloppy joes are so similar in their flavor profile, check out our list of what to serve with sloppy joes. You’re bound to find a few good ideas!

Inspiration to Use Up Leftover Food

Ground Beef Recipes

Shrimp Recipes

Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes

Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes

Leftover Cornbread Recipes

Leftover Sour Cream Recipes

Leftover BBQ Chicken Recipes

Taco Meat Recipes

Use Up Leftover Marshmallows

Recipes to Use Up leftover Eggs

Have questions or suggestions about these recipes using leftover chili? Leave them in the comments below.