Description
Budget-Friendly Halloween Food for Party! Learn how to feed 20 ghoulish guests without stress or breaking the bank. Simple, spooky, and satisfying recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- Chili Base & Protein:
- 4 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
- 4 large Yellow Onions, diced
- 4 large Bell Peppers (2 red, 2 green), diced
- 8 cloves Garlic, minced
- 4 (28 oz) cans Diced Tomatoes, undrained
- 4 (15 oz) cans Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 (15 oz) cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- Flavor Boosters:
- 8 tbsp Chili Powder
- 4 tbsp Ground Cumin
- 2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tbsp Hot Sauce (like Cholula or Tabasco), plus more to taste
- Liquid & Thickener:
- 8 cups Beef Broth
- 6 tbsp Masa Harina (corn flour)
- Garnish & Toppings:
- 3 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Sour Cream
- 1 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- 1 large Red Onion, diced
- 4 Jalapeños, sliced
- Tortilla Chips or Cornbread, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics and Build the Base: Alright, first things first! Grab your biggest stockpot – seriously, the biggest one you own, especially when you’re making budget-friendly Halloween food for party guests. Heat a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced onions and bell peppers. Stir ’em around until they start to soften and get a little translucent, about 5-7 minutes. I love this part; the smell of the veggies cooking always makes my kitchen feel warm and inviting. Don’t rush it; this is where you build the flavor foundation, hon!
- Brown the Beef and Add Garlic: Now, push those veggies to the side of the pot and add your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and brown it thoroughly, letting it get nice and crumbly. This step is key for texture and flavor. Once it’s mostly browned, drain off any excess fat – I usually use a spoon to scoop it out, or tilt the pot and carefully blot with paper towels. Then, stir in your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; I’ve done that before, and it honestly ruins the whole batch!
- Toast the Spices and Deglaze the Pot: This is where the magic happens for a truly budget-friendly Halloween food for party. Sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cocoa powder. Stir it all around with the beef and veggies for about 1-2 minutes. You’ll smell the spices blooming – it’s an amazing aroma! This toasting step really wakes up the flavors. Next, pour in your canned diced tomatoes (undrained) and a splash of beef broth. Use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot; that’s pure flavor right there!
- Simmer for Depth of Flavor: Add the kidney beans, black beans, and the rest of the beef broth to the pot. Stir everything together. Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it do its thing for at least 60-90 minutes. Honestly, the longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld and deepen. I usually let mine go for two hours if I have the time. This is where you can walk away, maybe put on a spooky movie, and let the house fill with incredible smells!
- Thicken and Adjust Seasoning: After simmering, check the consistency. If it’s a bit too thin for your liking, here’s my trick: in a small bowl, whisk together 2-3 tablespoons of masa harina with about half a cup of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the simmering chili. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens up beautifully. Taste and adjust your seasonings. This is where you can add more hot sauce, salt, or even a pinch of sugar if your tomatoes are a bit tart. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Serve It Up for Your Ghoulish Guests: Once your chili has reached its perfect, hearty consistency and the flavors are singing, it’s ready for your budget-friendly Halloween food for party spread! Ladle it into big bowls and let your guests go wild with the toppings. I always set out a huge array of shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, and sliced jalapeños. Don’t forget the tortilla chips or cornbread for dipping! This chili is so satisfying, and honestly, seeing everyone dig in makes all the effort worth it.