{Texas Tuesday // The Best Fall Chili Cook-Offs in Texas}

There are few things that scream fall in Texas more than football, cooler evenings, and a big ol’ bowl of chili. And around here, chili isn’t just dinner...it’s practically a love language. Texans take chili seriously (beans or no beans… I won’t start that debate today), and fall is prime time for cook-offs all across the state.

From tiny town squares to big city festivals, chili cook-offs are a staple of Texas culture. They bring people together with live music, cold drinks, local vendors, and of course, simmering pots of spicy, savory goodness. Today, for Texas Tuesday, I thought it’d be fun to round up some of the best fall chili cook-offs in Texas that are worth checking out!

  1. Terlingua International Chili Championship – Terlingua, TX

This one is the granddaddy of them all! Held every November in the Big Bend region, the Terlingua cook-off is world-famous. Thousands gather in the desert to compete, taste, and celebrate all things chili. It’s a true Texas bucket list event.

  2. Chili Quest & Beer Fest – Galveston, TX

Hosted in historic downtown Galveston in January (right at the tail end of winter), this festival combines chili tastings with craft beer samples. It’s a festive way to enjoy the island while warming up with spicy goodness.

  3. Bedford Blues & BBQ Chili Cook-Off – Bedford, TX

Part of the Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival in the DFW area, this event always draws big crowds. Great chili, live music, and a family-friendly vibe make it a must for North Texas chili fans.

  4. Howdy-Roo Chili Cook-Off – Marble Falls, TX

Marble Falls knows how to throw a party! The Howdy-Roo Cook-Off is a CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) event that brings in competitors from across the state. It’s a fun, community-focused festival with lots of Texas charm.

  5. Houston Firefighters’ Chili Cook-Off – Houston, TX

This annual event benefits the Houston Fire Department’s charities. It’s a spicy competition for a good cause, complete with live entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere.

  6. Traders Village Chili Cook-Off – Grand Prairie, TX

Traders Village always puts on fun events, and their chili cook-off is no exception. Stroll through the flea market, enjoy live music, and taste-test some seriously good chili.

  7. Grapevine Fall Festivals – Grapevine, TX

Grapevine is the self-proclaimed “Christmas Capital of Texas,” but they know how to do fall too. Their community chili cook-offs are filled with small-town charm, festive fun, and of course, delicious chili.

  8. Llano Chuck Wagon Cook-Off – Llano, TX

This one is unique! Llano’s cook-off isn’t just about chili...it’s about recreating the chuck wagon meals of the Old West. You’ll get chili plus cobblers, stews, and plenty of cowboy culture.

  9. San Marcos Chili Cook-Off – San Marcos, TX

Known for its fun college-town spirit, San Marcos hosts several chili competitions in the fall. They combine music, community, and plenty of flavor.

  10. Local Church & Small-Town Chili Cook-Offs

Honestly, some of the very best chili comes from local church competitions, volunteer fire departments, and small-town squares. Check your community calendars, odds are, there’s a chili cook-off happening near you this fall!

Whether you’re a die-hard competitor with a secret recipe or just someone who loves a steaming bowl of chili on a crisp fall day, Texas chili cook-offs are the perfect way to celebrate the season. From Terlingua’s legendary showdown in the desert to small-town squares filled with laughter and chili-spoon clinking, these events are full of community, tradition, and a whole lot of flavor.

So grab your boots, bring your appetite, and let’s make this fall one to remember...one bowl of chili at a time. 

Do you have a chili recipe you love?