How to Set Up a Chili Bar

Setting up a chili bar is a fun and interactive way to serve up a hearty meal, perfect for gatherings of any size. With endless topping options and customizable bowls, a chili bar lets guests create their own perfect blend of flavors, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.

Ever since we moved to Georgia this past summer I’ve been so lucky to have met an amazing group of ladies in our new neighborhood. Our kids go to the same school, we see each other at the community pool, and even work out together many mornings after school drop off.

After all my talk about my new friends my husband was ready to put some faces to names so I invited them all, along with their families, over this past weekend for a party-Chili Bar style!

Why host a chili bar

I decided on the Chili Bar party theme because we would be feeding a crowd-13 adults and twenty kids.

Chili is definitely an inexpensive option when it comes to entertaining a big group and putting together a chili bar lets everyone customize their bowl of chili to their own tastes. It is set up buffet style so everyone can move along the bar to fix up their chili to their liking.

It is also an easy way to entertain because you can prep the chili and all of the ingredients beforehand, store in the refrigerator, and set them out just before the party.

Choosing the chili

Depending on how many people you are hosting you choose one or multiple types of chili recipes. Traditional ground beef chili, bean-free chili, Cincinnati-style chili, vegetarian chili, you have tons of options.

I used both my crockpot and my Instant Pot to whip up batches of slow cooker ground turkey chili and white chicken chili with white beans that I prepped that morning. Using a slow cooker or pressure cooker is ideal because you can set it to warm mode during your chili bar party to keep it nice and fresh.

Chili Bar Toppings

For toppings I included:

• cheese: shredded Meixcan cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, or queso fresco
• vegetables: chopped jalapeño, diced red onion, chopped bell peppers, chopped green onions, corn
• taco toppings: sour cream, fresh cilantro, avocado or guacamole, pico de gallo, lime wedges, hot sauce
• dippers and toppers: Fritos corn chips, cornbread, tortilla chips, tater tots, french fries, hot dogs to make chili dogs

Setting up the chili bar

1. Set up your chili bar buffet-style. At one end of the table or counter, set up your bowls, spoons, and napkins, followed by the chili, preferably in a slow cooker or Instant Pot so it stays warm. Place a ladle and spoon rest near the chili for easy serving. If you are offering things like hot dogs, tater tots, or fries for using the chili as a topping, place them between the bowls and chili.
2. To the side of the chili arrange the topping options in bowls. Pair each topping with spoons or small tongs to scoop with. Depending on the toppings you offer and the guests, you may want to label the toppings with small cards.

At our recent chili bar party we had bacon cheddar cornbread, salad, and of course chips and salsa on the side which makes an appearance at every gathering at my house! Dessert for the adults was dirt cake and s’more for the kids.

The party was a huge success-we’ll definitely be doing it again!

Storage

Store leftover chili and toppings in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

I hope this inspires you to host a chili bar at your next get-together!