Chefs share 9 of their favorite ways to upgrade canned chili

Sometimes it's easier to opt for a can of chili, so several chefs shared some simple ways to upgrade the convenient meal.

Jim Dunleavy, director of food and beverage at Eatzi's Market and Bakery, told Insider that beer is one easy, yet impactful addition.

"Adding beer to chili will add complexity by imparting a malty flavor from the sugars and other ingredients," Dunleavy said. "Just make sure you let it simmer, so the alcohol will cook out."

Sometimes canned chili can lack flavor, but Dunleavy said cocoa powder can add a new level of richness.

"Similar to a mole sauce, unsweetened cocoa will deepen the flavor of chili," Dunleavy said. "You don't need much — start with a dash and add more if desired."

Since the canned meal often doesn't include a variety of textures, Dunleavy recommended adding freshly chopped ingredients for a tasty contrast.

"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."

To enhance the savory meal, Chef Kai Chase particularly suggested adding fresh bacon on top.

"To further build on the bold flavors of chili, you might also consider cooking up some bacon as a topping and possibly using the leftover bacon grease to roast your peppers or confit garlic as a delicious umami topping," the chef said.

If you prefer some extra heat, Chase also recommended adding your chile pepper of choice to the dish.

"You can roast hatch, chipotle, or ancho chiles, puree the chiles, and stir them into the canned chili over the stovetop to add some depth and heat to the flavor profile," Chase said.

Chase told Insider that you can upgrade your canned chili with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, like cinnamon or espresso.

"I love using one teaspoon of ground Saigon cinnamon or one shot of espresso to accentuate the meaty flavors in a chili," Chase said. "You would do this over the stovetop to give the cinnamon or coffee a chance to mingle with the other flavors and spices of the chili."

Manuel Hewitt, executive chef and owner-operator of The Barrel Room, also suggested "adding some extra chili powder, black pepper, and cumin" to "deeply expand and deepen" the dish's flavors.

Hewitt told Insider that sautéed vegetables and produce — like serrano chiles, corn, bell peppers, and mushrooms — can make vegetarian canned chili taste more like a home-cooked meal.

The chef also said caramelized red onions, okra, and black beans pair well with these additions.

Chef Neel Kajale, test-kitchen manager and recipe developer at Haven's Kitchen Sauces, told Insider adding sauce is an easy way to amp up canned chili.

Kajale said "canned chili lacks the oomph and the punch that a pot of freshly made chili would have," but sauces with flavors like roasted peppers, roasted garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes can take the meal "a notch higher."

If you want control over the protein in your chili, Kajale suggested purchasing a vegetarian option and cooking your meat of choice.

"Get a skillet ripping hot with oil, and then brown your ground meat in the skillet until the pan gets lots of brown bits, and pieces of the meat stuck to it," Kajale explained. "This phenomenon is called the 'Maillard reaction,' and this is what will bring flavor to your chili."

When you add in chili, the chef said, the tomatoes will deglaze the pan and take in the flavor, leading to a "richer" meal.