• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Raspberries and Kohlrabi logo
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Kitchen Tips

    Help My Chili is Too Spicy (7 Ways to Cool Chili Down)

    Published: Feb 8, 2022 · Modified: Feb 8, 2022 by Erica · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    The best chili is a careful balancing act creating a chili that is spicy but not too spicy.

    I'm sure we have all been a little too heavy-handed in our seasoning from time to time. In fact, it is easier to accidentally over spice dishes like chili that typically have a long-simmering time. When simmered for a long time liquid evaporates concentrating the flavors in the dish.

    But don't worry if your chili turned out too spicy, it can be saved.

    If you want a tried and true chili recipe with carefully measured spices try my recipe for Hearty Crock Pot Chili.

    Chili in a black bowl topped with cheese, sour cream, and green onions.

    This page may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products that I would use myself. I may earn a small commission when you make purchases through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please read my Disclosure Policy.

    Here are some of the best ways to salvage chili that is too spicy.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 The best chili is a careful balancing act creating a chili that is spicy but not too spicy.
    2 Here are some of the best ways to salvage chili that is too spicy.
    3 1. Dairy
    4 2. Add a Potato or Two
    5 3. Sweetener
    6 4. Add Additional Ingredients
    7 5. Pair Chili with a Starch
    8 6. Add Fat
    9 7. Add Acid
    10 How not to cool down spicy chili

    1. Dairy

    Capsaicin is the chemical compound in chiles that make them taste spicy. One of the best ways to counteract capsaicin is to add some dairy. Dairy contains casein that binds with the capsaicin and neutralizes it.

    Popular sources of dairy for chili usually comes in the form of toppings. Try topping your chili with sour cream, Greek yogurt, and/or cheese to tone down the spice level.

    2. Add a Potato or Two

    Add a couple of peeled russet potatoes to the chili. The potatoes will soak up liquid along with some of the spice as they cook. Because they soak up so much liquid and will release starch as they cook you may need to add additional liquid to the chili.

    Remove the potatoes from the chili before serving, but don't throw them away. Mash them with some butter and cream to make some delicious chili mashed potatoes.

    3. Sweetener

    Sugar also helps to neutralize the heat from capsaicin. Try adding a little sugar, honey, or tomato sauce (which is high in sugar) to balance out too spicy chili. You could also try adding some caramelized onions which will add natural sweetness along with another layer of flavor.

    4. Add Additional Ingredients

    Add additional tomatoes and/or beans to your chili. Increasing the volume of your chili will help to diffuse the spice.

    5. Pair Chili with a Starch

    Starch's neutral flavor will help to counterbalance the chili's spice. One of my favorite ways to serve chili is over a bed of cooked pasta. You could also serve too spicy chili with macaroni and cheese which has the added bonus of introducing some dairy as well.

    Potatoes are also a delicious complement to spicy chili. Spoon chili over a baked russet potato.

    6. Add Fat

    Adding additional fat to your chili will also tame its spice level. One of my favorite high-fat additions for chili is avocadoes. Mash one up and stir it into your chili or dice the avocado and add it as a garnish to individual bowls of chili.

    7. Add Acid

    Acids are great at cutting through too much spice. Capsaicin is alkaline, meaning it has a high pH number. By adding acids that are lower on the pH scale the two ingredients will neutralize each other.

    A little acid will go a long way. Slowly add the acid in small additions tasting as you go.

    The obvious acidic addition to chili would be additional tomatoes or tomato paste.

    Other options include:

    • Lemon or lime juice
    • Vinegar (red, white, or apple cider)
    • Wine

    How not to cool down spicy chili

    • Don't add additional water to the chili. Capsaicin is an oil and everyone knows oil and water do not mix. The only thing additional water will do is make your chili watery.
    • Don't add anything carbonated like beer. The bubbly sensation that comes from carbonated beverages will only increase the burning feeling in your mouth.

    The best way to tone down too spicy chili is to add additional ingredients that either compliment and/or cut through the spiciness, such as dairy, sugar, fat, or acid.

    « How to Dry Out Bread for French Toast
    Crispy Nutella Brownie Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy

    Primary Sidebar

    Homemade Recipes with Simple Ingredients

    Homemade recipes for everything from soups and appetizers to main dishes and desserts that use simple common ingredients.

    Trending Recipes

    • Sourdough Discard Flatbread {No Yeast}
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk Brownies
    • Smoked Traeger Chicken Wings
    • Sourdough Discard Dutch Baby or German Pancake

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Sourdough Discard Blueberry Scones with Fresh Thyme
    • Rich and Creamy Blueberry Creme Brulee
    • Amazing Skillet Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
    • Easy Baked Kohlrabi Fries

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disclaimers & Disclosures
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Data

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Raspberries and Kohlrabi

    Popup Button
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.YesNoPrivacy policy
    You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke Consent button.Revoke Consent