The answer will vary depending on who you ask and what chili you're making. However, if you follow a few simple rules you will end up with great-tasting chili. • Heat: Add a heating element to the chili apart from traditional American chili powder. Dried chilis, hot sauce, fresh chilies, chili flakes, or chili paste can go a long way in adding flavor. • Acid: Finish the chili with a fresh pop of acidity like vinegar or citrus. • Fat: Oil, cheese, cream, and fatty cuts of meat like chuck and pork lend additional flavor. • Alcohol: Wine, beer, cider, and whiskey enhance the flavor of chili recipes. • Sweetener: A little sugar, honey, or chocolate will balance the natural acidity of tomato-based chilies. • Secret Ingredients: Recipe developers and home cooks usually have one ingredient they use to take their chili to the next level. Maybe it's coffee or chocolate. Others add warm spices like cinnamon, garam masala, taco seasoning, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, and nutmeg. I love to add fish sauce, Marmite, or Worcestershire.