Easy Southern Chili Recipe {Good Luck Chili} | The Seasoned Mom (2024)

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Perfect for New Year’s Day (or any other cool evening), thisSouthern Chili recipeis a reader favorite! It’s loaded with Cajun seasoning, black eyed peas, pork sausage, and ground beef for an easy dinner that’s full of flavor.

Black-eyed peas are amuston New Year’s Day, right? No matter what we had going on, where we were, or who else was around our table, my Momalwaysservedblack-eyed peaswith our first dinner of the New Year…along with the other usual suspects ofpork,greens, andcornbread.Southern superstition tells us that these foods bring prosperity in the New Year, so who am I to argue with tradition?!

Why You’ll Love This Southern Chili Recipe

A reader named Patti sent me her Southern Chili recipe last year, and I’m finally getting around to sharing it here on the blog. I love that it combines some of our “good luck” foods (pork, black eyed peas, and cornbread) for a fun twist on the traditional New Year’s Day dinner.

• It’s Easy.This hearty chili packs a flavorful punch without the extended cooking times. Most traditional chilis require at least 3-4 hours of slow cooking time. This Southern chili is ready in less than an hour.
• It’s Customizable.I love that you can add your favorite toppings, and the recipe is easily adaptable. Don’t have diced tomatoes? Use a can of whole tomatoes. Adjust the seasonings to your taste. Serve how you desire!
• It’s the Perfect Comfort Food.What’s better than a warm bowl of chili on a cold day? Not much, if you ask me. This Southern style chili feeds a crowd, and it tastes even better the next day. It’s quick, comforting, and flavorful.

Best Toppings for Southern-Style Chili

This Southern chili has all the flavors of classic chili recipes, with a little more Southern flair from the Creole seasoning. Garnish each bowl of chili with your favorite chili toppings. Here are some popular options:

• Diced red onion, sliced green onions, or fresh chopped chives
• Grated cheese like sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar, or pepper jack cheese for a hint of spice.
• Sour cream
• Diced avocado
• Fresh cilantro

What to Serve with Southern Chili

Patti recommends serving the chili withFritos or corn chips,saltine crackers,orcornbread— and I agree! Those are all great options. Add aWinter Spinach Saladon the side for a dose of lucky New Year’s greens, too. Here are some more easy sides that pair well with a big bowl of chili:

• Cathead Biscuits
• Cornbread Croutons
• Cornbread Muffins
• Southern Cornbread Recipe
• 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
• Cheddar Chive Beer Bread (No Yeast, No Knead!)
• 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
• Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
• Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Can I make this Southern chili recipe in the slow cooker?

Yes, this recipe can easily be made in a crock pot. All of the directions remain the same, but cook the chili in your slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. One of the best things about this chili recipe is that it’s quick and easy – perfect for the stovetop, even when you have a busy day, so a slow cooker is not necessary.

Should I drain the excess fat from the ground beef when making chili?

I typically drain the fat, but it’s not necessary. If you’re using lean ground beef, you won’t have that much excess fat. And any Southern cook knows that fat = flavor. So, go ahead and drain the fat, sop most of it up with paper towels, or leave the excess fat to cook into the hearty chili sauce – it’s entirely your preference.