When the temperature starts to drop, there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of chili. Everyone has their favorite recipes, from the white chicken variety to a slow cooker version, but the great thing about chili is you can always add another recipe to your repertoire. In 2025, we became acquainted with an award-winning, 50-year-old recipe for Hot Pants Chili. And let us be the first to tell you, it was love at first bite. Sometimes what’s old can be new again, and that was certainly the case for this treasured recipe that brought new life to our life as cooks this year.
What Is Hot Pants Chili?
The roots for Hot Pants Chili go back to 1974, when Allegani Jani Schofield became the first woman to win the World Championship Chili Cookoff. Her recipe for a no-beans version of chili called Hot Pants Chili wowed judges and earned her the top prize. More than 50 years later, the recipe prevails, and has earned many more fans in the time since.
In addition to the omission of beans, Hot Pants Chili differs from lots of other classic chili recipes by utilizing two unexpected ingredients. Masa flour (traditionally used to make tortillas) and mole paste add flavor complexity and a deep richness to your stew, making this the ultimate cold-weather dish.
The rest of the ingredients for this dish are pretty straight-forward, and so is the preparation. You’ll need a big pot, some white onions, jalapenos, minced garlic, beef stock, crushed tomatoes, chili seasoning mix, cumin, and a bottle of beer. After browning the meat and onions, you’ll stir in the jalapenos, garlic, mole, and cumin. After cooking for a couple minutes, the rest of the ingredients get added to the party to simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Finally, a mixture of masa and water joins the pot for the final 30 minutes of cooking.
Credit:
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Why We Love It
It gives classic chili an unexpected twist: You expect your chili to be salty and a bit spicy, but adding in nuttiness and even a slightly sweet flavor takes it to the next level. Since mole includes dried chiles, spices, nuts, dried fruit, and even chocolate, you get the benefit of having all those perfectly melded flavors in one convenient paste. It’s the ultimate seasoning cheat code!
It’s easy to make: There’s nothing like dumping everything in a pot and kicking up your feet while a slow-simmering pot does its magic. With just 30 minutes of active time (and honestly probably less), you’ll have dinner and plenty of leftovers ready in no time. Top with sour cream, cheese, and scallions and dig in.
It’ll be the life of any party: With a name like Hot Pants Chili, it’s impossible to eat this dish and not have a good time. Plus, bringing this to a potluck and having friends ask you for the name of the recipe never gets old.
Dining and Cooking