chili
Quick Summary
Chili refers to hot peppers of the genus Capsicum, known for their pungency due to capsaicin. These peppers are native to the Americas and are used fresh or dried to make chili powder and flavor various dishes.12
The term "chili" also denotes a spiced stew. A common example is chili con carne, a dish typically made with ground beef, minced chiles or chili powder, and often beans. Another variation is green chili, a stew-like mix of green chiles, pork, onions, tomatoes, and seasonings, popular in Southwestern U.S. cuisine.34
The spelling of chili can vary by region: "chili" is standard in American English, while "chilli" is used in British English, and "chile" is of Spanish origin. These terms are also used in dishes like enchiladas, a Mexican dish of rolled tortillas filled with various ingredients and covered in chili sauce.56
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
