National Chili Day, celebrates a delicious warming dish on February, 22nd. This is a perfect day to take the lead in making a comforting meal to end your Thursday night. Nothing is better than the chilly weather drifting its way through February making us need a warm dish to block the breeze. Chili is perfect for these chilly weeks; it gives warmth and comfort, all while providing essential vitamins that protect our immune system.

Although chili is a classic dish, many families have their own recipes that have been created and passed down from generation to generation. Chili is beneficial because of its vitamins and health benefits, all while being a delicious meal to share with loved ones. Overall, you’re guaranteed love and warmth from this one-of-a-kind bowl of beans. Chili is a great dish to make for dinner as it contains chili peppers, which have a lot of vitamin C and vitamin A. These nutrients are vital to a well-functioning immune defense. With it boasting high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, chili can play a role in preventing diseases such as some cancers and stomach ulcers. Chilis also has the ability to create heat within the body, which can help with weight loss as well as lowering the risk of type II diabetes. Now that is phenomenal.

But chilis are not the only source of benefits in chili; because chili is so versatile, it contains many different ways to incorporate nutrition into the meal. Whether you are a vegetarian or simply do not like certain food items added to your chili, there is a chili recipe for everyone.  As mentioned before, chili is flexible in almost every way, making it a great option for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. Check out the recipe below for an easy, vegetarian chili dish!

Start by gathering your traditional chili spices, smoked paprika, canned beans, and some tomatoes. These ingredients make for a great and simple plant-based protein. After all the ingredients are gathered, blend them up and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Now that is one quick and easy vegetarian meal. At the end, you can add a finishing touch of a splash of sherry vinegar or lime juice, topped with fresh cilantro.

Don’t forget to celebrate National Chili Day as this day is here for everyone. While the ingredients in chili are super basic, the flavor is anything but!