By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 15, 2025
Get ready for the most delicious game day feast with this awesome Chili Cheese Fries recipe! I’ve topped these French fries with the most delicious homemade beef chili, cheese, sour cream, and green onions. This is one crowd-pleasing appetizer!
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Easy Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
Whether you serve up these loaded fries as a Super Bowl halftime appetizer or enjoy them for an indulgent main meal, there is no bad time for these chili cheese fries!
As much as I love these fries just the way they are, I’m all about customizing them based on whatever I’ve got in the fridge. Sometimes I swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken—or even a combination of both. I usually go for kidney beans in my chili because they’re my favorite, but black beans work just as well! When it comes to toppings, I pile on shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, and some chopped green onions. And if I’m feeling spicy, I’ll throw on a few jalapeño slices or even some crumbled bacon bits for extra flavor.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 lbs. french fries
- ▢ 1 lb ground beef
- ▢ 1 onion diced
- ▢ 1 jalapeño diced
- ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 15 oz. kidney beans drained and rinsed (1 can)
- ▢ 15 oz. diced tomatoes not drained (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup tomato sauce
- ▢ 1 cup beef broth
- ▢ 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ▢ 1½ tbsp chili powder
- ▢ 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions for topping
Video
Instructions
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, jalapeño, and garlic until no pink remains. 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 1 jalapeño, 3 cloves garlic
- Drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet on the stovetop.
- Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, tomato paste, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. 15 oz. kidney beans, 15 oz. diced tomatoes, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1½ tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile cook the fries your favorite way—fry, air fry, or bake them 2 lbs. french fries
- Pile the hot fries onto one large, or several smaller, serving plate(s). Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, then ladle on the hot chili. Top with additional cheese, sour cream, and green onions. shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions
Becky’s Tips
- Instead of French fries, try cauliflower or tater tots , tortilla chips , waffle fries , or sweet potato fries !
- For a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef, use vegetable broth, and add another 15 ounces (1 can) of your favorite beans. You could also use plant-based ground ‘meat’, like Beyond Meat.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Chili Cheese Fries Step by Step
Cook the beef and veggies: In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb. of ground beef with 1 diced onion, 1 diced jalapeño, and 3 cloves of minced garlic until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet on the stovetop.
Make the chili: Stir in 15 oz. (1 can) of kidney beans, 15 oz. (1 can) of diced tomatoes, 1 cup of tomato sauce, 1 cup of beef broth, 2 tbsp of tomato paste, 1½ tbsp of chili powder, 2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp of kosher salt, and ½ tsp of ground black pepper.
Simmer the chili: Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Cook the fries: Meanwhile, cook 2 lbs. of french fries your favorite way—fry, air fry, or bake.
Assemble the fries: Pile the hot fries onto one large, or several smaller, serving plate(s). Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, then ladle on the hot chili. Top with additional cheese, sour cream, and green onions.
How to Store
While assembled chili fries are best enjoyed fresh, you can make the chili in advance. Prepare the chili through step 4 and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove when ready to serve. If the chili has thickened too much, add a little water to thin it out.
These chili cheese fries are best enjoyed on the day they are made. They will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, but I recommend storing the chili and fries separately to keep them from getting soggy. Reheat the chili in the microwave or on the stovetop, and reheat the fries in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These chili cheese fries are a super large and filling dish, but if you are serving them up as part of a larger feast, they are great alongside these other favorite apps like hearty fried Buffalo wings , some ranch fried pickles , or our savory bacon wrapped tater tots . I also like serving these fries with copycat Raising Cane’s chicken fingers , or a batch of air fryer chicken nuggets . However you serve up these loaded fries, they are guaranteed to be a huge hit!
more french fry recipes to try
Air Fryer French Fries
Bacon Cheese Fries with Ranch
Garlic Parmesan Fries
Carne Asada Fries
Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. french fries
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1 jalapeño diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 15 oz. kidney beans drained and rinsed (1 can)
- 15 oz. diced tomatoes not drained (1 can)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1½ tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, jalapeño, and garlic until no pink remains. 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 1 jalapeño, 3 cloves garlic
- Drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet on the stovetop.
- Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, tomato paste, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. 15 oz. kidney beans, 15 oz. diced tomatoes, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1½ tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile cook the fries your favorite way—fry, air fry, or bake them 2 lbs. french fries
- Pile the hot fries onto one large, or several smaller, serving plate(s). Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, then ladle on the hot chili. Top with additional cheese, sour cream, and green onions. shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions
Video
Notes
- Instead of French fries, try cauliflower or tater tots , tortilla chips , waffle fries , or sweet potato fries !
- For a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef, use vegetable broth, and add another 15 ounces (1 can) of your favorite beans. You could also use plant-based ground ‘meat’, like Beyond Meat.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
