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A little reason to celebrate

National Chili Day

Food · The fourth Thursday in February

A day for chili, the slow-simmered stew of meat or beans, chiles and spices that Americans cook, argue over and ladle into bowls each winter.

National Chili Day falls on Thursday, February 25, 2027. That is 121 days away.

Chili is a stew built on chile peppers. Most pots start with ground or cubed beef, onions, garlic and a spice blend heavy on chili powder and cumin, then simmer until the flavors settle into one another. The day falls on the fourth Thursday in February, when a hot bowl still makes sense.

Few dishes invite as many opinions. Some cooks insist on beans, others leave them out entirely. There is white chili made with chicken and white beans, vegetarian chili thick with lentils or squash, and Cincinnati chili, a thinner, cinnamon-scented version served over spaghetti. Texas-style chili, often called a bowl of red, tends to skip tomatoes and beans and lean on meat and dried chiles.

People mark the day the obvious way, by making a pot or ordering a bowl. Toppings do a lot of the work: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped raw onion, sliced jalapeños, a handful of crushed crackers. Cornbread is the usual companion, and some people spoon chili over baked potatoes, hot dogs or a plate of fries.

Chili also improves with time. A batch made a day ahead and reheated usually tastes deeper, because the spices keep blending as it rests in the fridge. Leftovers freeze well too, which is how one generous pot turns into several weeknight dinners.

Ways to celebrate

• Cook a pot of chili using a family recipe or a new one.
• Try a style you have never had, like white or Cincinnati chili.
• Set out a toppings bar with cheese, onions and sour cream.
• Bake a pan of cornbread to serve alongside.
• Share a container of leftovers with a neighbor.

Dates

All national days on February 25

Also on February 25

• National Clam Chowder Day
• National Chocolate Covered Nut Day

Categories: Food days