The air is getting cooler, football is on every weekend, and kitchens across Memphis are starting to smell like simmering spices. It is officially chili season.

Whether you have a blue-ribbon recipe that has been passed down for generations or you are just throwing together a hearty pot for game day, Cash Saver has everything you need to make a batch that keeps the whole crew warm and happy.

Build Your Base

Every good chili starts with the basics. Stock up on:

• Fresh ground beef or turkey, rich and hearty as the foundation of a great pot
• Onion, garlic, and peppers, diced up for that flavor punch
• Canned tomatoes, whether crushed, diced, or fire-roasted
• Tomato paste, for that deep, slow-cooked flavor

Beans or No Beans?

That is the age-old chili debate. Either way, Cash Saver has you covered:

• Kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans for a classic chili with beans
• Skip the beans for a Texas-style version with just meat, spice, and tomato

Spice It Just Right

Chili is all about the seasoning. Make sure your spice rack is stocked with:

• Chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder
• Crushed red pepper or hot sauce for a Memphis-style kick
• Salt and pepper to balance it all out

Pro tip: Add a fresh jalapeño or two for extra heat.

Toppings That Take It Over the Top

The fun part of chili is dressing it up. Swing by the dairy case, produce section, and bakery aisle for:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Jalapeños
• Crackers or cornbread (a box mix makes baking easy)

For an extra Memphis twist, serve your chili over spaghetti or a baked potato for a true Southern comfort classic.

Do Not Forget the Extras

A big pot of chili pairs perfectly with other fall favorites you will find at Cash Saver:

• Fritos or Doritos for chili pie
• Nature’s Own Bread for buttered toast on the side
• Pepsi, Coke, or sweet tea to wash it all down
• Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough for dessert while the chili simmers

Two Easy Chili Recipes to Try

Classic Chili with Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown the meat with onion, garlic, and bell pepper until cooked through.
2. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer on low for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve hot with shredded cheese, sour cream, and cornbread.

White Bean Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pkg Neufchatel cheese (aka light cream cheese), cut into small cubes
• 1 1/4 cup frozen or fresh corn
• 2 cans cannellini beans
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked rotisserie or left-over chicken
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
• Tortilla chips or strips, monterrey jack cheese, sliced avocado for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute 4 minutes minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer.
2. Add chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Drain and rinse beans in a fine mesh strainer or colander then measure out 1 cup. 
4. Add Neufchatel cheese to soup along with corn, whole beans and pureed beans and stir well. Simmer 5 – 10 minutes longer.
5. Stir in chicken, fresh lime juice and cilantro. Serve with Monterrey Jack cheese, more cilantro, avocado slices and tortilla chips if desired.

Chili Season Made Simple

At Memphis Cash Saver, we are here to make your fall cooking easy, affordable, and delicious. Our shelves are stocked with everything from pantry staples to fresh produce and proteins, all at prices that keep your budget cozy too.

Grab a pot, gather your ingredients, and let the chili season begin. Whether it is for Sunday dinner, Monday night football, or a weeknight warm-up, we have everything you need to make it taste like home.

Find us at 1620 Madison Ave. in Midtown Memphis
Visit memphiscashsaver.com for weekly specials and more

Cash Saver: keeping Memphis warm, one bowl of chili at a time.