---
title: "Summer chili, two ways"
section: recipes
description: "Dual-batch recipe for grilled meat and vegetarian chilis with toppings. Both share core seasonings, beans, and grilled corn garnish."
tags: ["recipe", "chili", "grilled", "meat", "vegetarian", "gans", "spicy", "mexican"]
created: 2024-06-09T10:34:00Z
updated: 2026-07-29T21:20:27Z
cid: bafkreigm7ii6j6e3ktqllzyaql5beimwp64asadvluec2bg7zimmb76aqm
html: https://iammatthias.com/recipes/1717954493179-summer-chili-two-ways
---

# Summer chili, two ways

```recipe
yield: "2 servings of each"
time: "45 min active · 2 h total"

ingredients:
  - { id: buttered-corn-on-the-cob, item: "buttered corn on the cob", amount: "2 ears", note: "grilled, kernels cut off", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: onion, item: "onion", amount: "1 large", note: "chopped", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: garlic, item: "garlic", amount: "3 cloves", note: "minced", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: canned-black-beans, item: "canned black beans", amount: "1 can (400 g)", note: "drained and rinsed", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: boneless-short-ribs, item: "boneless short ribs", amount: "1 lbs", note: "cut into chunks" }
  - { id: bell-peppers, item: "bell peppers", amount: "2½ medium", note: "chopped (varied colors)", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: chili-powder, item: "chili powder", amount: "1½ tbsp", note: "divided", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: ground-cumin, item: "ground cumin", amount: "1 tbsp", note: "divided", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: paprika, item: "paprika", amount: "2 tsp", note: "divided", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: salt, item: "salt", amount: "to taste", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: black-pepper, item: "black pepper", amount: "to taste", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: olive-oil, item: "olive oil", amount: "2 tbsp", note: "divided", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: ground-chuck, item: "ground chuck", amount: "1 lbs" }
  - { id: canned-diced-tomatoes, item: "canned diced tomatoes", amount: "1 can (400 g)", note: "with juice" }
  - { id: fresh-cilantro, item: "fresh cilantro", amount: "½ cup", note: "chopped, for garnish", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: lime, item: "lime", amount: "2", note: "cut into wedges, for serving", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: sour-cream, item: "sour cream", amount: "for topping", note: "optional", group: "Shared Ingredients" }
  - { id: zucchini, item: "zucchini", amount: "1 medium", note: "seared and diced, seeds scooped out" }
  - { id: yellow-squash, item: "yellow squash", amount: "1 medium", note: "seared and diced, seeds scooped out" }
  - { id: canned-kidney-beans, item: "canned kidney beans", amount: "1 can (400 g)", note: "drained and rinsed" }
  - { id: canned-diced-tomatoes-2, item: "canned diced tomatoes", amount: "1 can (400 g)", note: "with juice" }

steps:
  - id: s1
    prep: true
    do: "carefully peel"
    for: "15 min"
    detail: "Carefully peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove the silk strands and then fold the husks back into place. Soak the ears of corn in cold water for about 15 minutes to prevent the husks from burning. After soaking, remove the corn from the water and shake off any excess. Spread a thin layer of butter over the kernels and then fold the husks back over the buttered corn."
    phase: "Preparing the corn on the cob"
  - id: s2
    in: [buttered-corn-on-the-cob]
    do: "place the corn"
    for: "15–20 min"
    detail: "Place the corn on the grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes or until the kernels are tender. Once done, remove the corn from the grill and let it cool slightly. Then, cut the kernels off the cob and set aside."
    phase: "Preparing the corn on the cob"
  - id: v1_1
    in: [s2, boneless-short-ribs, onion, garlic, canned-black-beans]
    do: "light the charcoal"
    for: "2–3 min"
    detail: "Set up your charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling. Light the charcoal or preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat. Place the boneless short ribs directly on the grill grates over the hot coals or burners. Sear the short ribs on all sides until they develop a good crust, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the short ribs from the grill and set aside."
    phase: "Meat Chili"
  - id: v1_2
    in: [v1_1, bell-peppers, chili-powder, ground-cumin, paprika, salt, black-pepper]
    do: "season the vegetable"
    detail: "Season the vegetable mixture with salt, black pepper, 1½ tsp of chili powder, 1½ tsp of ground cumin, and 1 tsp of paprika. If making both chilis, divide the vegetable mixture, setting half aside for the vegetarian chili. If making one batch, keep it all together."
    phase: "Meat Chili"
  - id: v1_3
    in: [v1_2, olive-oil, ground-chuck]
    do: "add 1 tbsp of olive oil"
    detail: "In the cast-iron pot, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and the ground chuck. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season the ground chuck with salt, black pepper, 1½ tsp of chili powder, ¾ tsp of ground cumin, and ½ tsp of paprika. Return the seared short ribs to the pot with the ground chuck. Add half (or all, if making one batch) of the seasoned vegetable mixture to the pot."
    phase: "Meat Chili"
  - id: v1_4
    in: [v1_3, canned-diced-tomatoes]
    do: "stir in the canned diced"
    for: "45 min"
    detail: "Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice. Add the remaining 1½ tsp of chili powder, ¾ tsp of ground cumin, and ½ tsp of paprika. Stir well to combine. Move the pot to a cooler part of the grill to cook over indirect heat. Cover the grill and let the chili simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the flavors are well combined."
    phase: "Meat Chili"
  - id: v1_5
    in: [v1_4, fresh-cilantro, lime, sour-cream]
    do: "taste and adjust"
    detail: "Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the meat chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, grilled buttered corn kernels, sour cream (optional), and lime wedges on the side."
    phase: "Meat Chili"
    title: "Meat Chili"
  - id: v2_1
    in: [s2, zucchini, yellow-squash]
    do: "place the zucchini"
    for: "2–3 min"
    detail: "Place the zucchini and yellow squash directly on the grill grates over the hot coals or burners. Sear on all sides until they develop a good crust, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill, allow to cool slightly, then dice and scoop out the seeds. Place a large cast-iron pot or Dutch oven on the grill over medium heat. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
  - id: v2_2
    in: [v2_1, olive-oil, onion, garlic, bell-peppers, canned-black-beans, black-pepper, canned-kidney-beans]
    do: "add 1 tbsp of olive oil"
    for: "5 min"
    detail: "In a separate grill-safe pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the chopped bell peppers and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the canned black beans and cook until heated through."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
  - id: v2_3
    in: [v2_2, chili-powder, ground-cumin, paprika, salt]
    do: "season the vegetable"
    detail: "Season the vegetable mixture with salt, black pepper, 1½ tsp of chili powder, 1½ tsp of ground cumin, and 1 tsp of paprika. If making both chilis, divide the vegetable mixture, setting half aside for the vegetarian chili. If making one batch, keep it all together."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
  - id: v2_4
    in: [v2_3]
    do: "in a separate large"
    for: "5 min"
    detail: "In a separate large cast-iron pot or Dutch oven on the grill over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes. Add the diced zucchini and yellow squash, cooking until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining half of the seasoned vegetable mixture (or all, if making one batch) to the pot."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
  - id: v2_5
    in: [v2_4, canned-diced-tomatoes-2]
    do: "stir in the canned diced"
    for: "25–30 min"
    detail: "Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, black beans, and kidney beans. Season with the remaining 1½ tsp of chili powder, ¾ tsp of ground cumin, and ½ tsp of paprika. Adjust with salt and black pepper to taste. Move the pot to a cooler part of the grill to cook over indirect heat. Cover the grill and let the chili simmer for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
  - id: v2_6
    in: [v2_5, fresh-cilantro, lime, sour-cream]
    do: "taste and adjust"
    detail: "Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the vegetarian chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, grilled buttered corn kernels, sour cream (optional), and lime wedges on the side."
    phase: "Vegetarian Chili"
    title: "Vegetarian Chili"
```

---

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