National Chili Day, fourth Thursday in February, honors one of America’s favorite winter dishes. Chili also known as chili con carne – chili with meat. In Spanish, chili refers to “chili pepper” and carne means “meat”. Most commonly made of tomatoes, beans, chili peppers, meat, garlic, onions & cumin. Cooks offer up so many variations to the basic chili recipe & chili cook off competitions love to feature chili as a favored entry. Preparing hot chili for a winter meal.