Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
Your choice of crinkle fries, steak fries or tater tots topped with house made chili, cheese, sour cream and onions
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Fries
House chili
Toppings
Method
Fries
- 1
Prepare and cook fries
Choose crinkle fries, steak fries or tater tots (4 cups). If using frozen fries/tots, spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or prepare for frying. For oven-baked: preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss with 1 tsp oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper; bake on a single layer for 18–25 minutes, turning once, until golden and crispy. For deep-frying: heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C) and fry batches 3–5 minutes until golden and crisp; drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper immediately.
House chili
- 2
Cook aromatics and brown beef
Heat 1 tsp vegetable oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb ground beef and break up with a spatula; brown until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 3
Build chili
Return pan to medium heat. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor. Add a 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices), 3/4 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- 4
Simmer
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, 12–15 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or chili powder if desired. Keep warm until ready to assemble.
Assemble & finish
- 5
Plate and top
Divide the hot fries/tots between 4 shallow appetizer plates or one large serving platter. Spoon generous ladles (about 1 to 1 1/4 cups) of hot house chili evenly over the fries.
- 6
Cheese melt
Sprinkle 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chili-topped fries. To melt: place plates under a preheated broiler for 1–2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned (watch carefully), or cover with a lid for 2 minutes on low heat on the stovetop until cheese melts.
- 7
Garnish
Finish with 1/2 cup sour cream dolloped across the top, 2 tbsp thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup finely diced yellow onion for crunch. Add pickled jalapeños if using. Serve immediately while hot.