This one’s for you, my chili lovers: a curated collection of33 best chili recipes! From classic beef to white chicken, healthy, slow-cooker, Instant Pot, and veggie options, there’s a version for everyone’s taste. I have also included the most common chili-making questions at the bottom of this post, such as how to thicken a chili, which beans to use, storage tips, using up leftovers and more.
In this recipe collection:
- 👩🍳 Tips For Making Best Chili
- Chili With Meat
- Healthy Chili Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
- Instant Pot Chili Recipes
- Chili With Chicken
- Common Chili-Making Questions
When the days grow cooler and cosy evenings by the fire become more inviting, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chili to warm the soul.
Whether you’re a fan of the traditional beefy goodness or you’re on the lookout for healthier, meat-free, or time-saving alternatives, I’ve put together a selection of the best chili recipes that will satisfy every craving. But before I dive into the list, let’s go through some expert tips for making the best chili.
Tips For Making Best Chili
- Use amix of ground meatsfor depth of flavour in classic beef chili.
- Marinate the chickenbefore adding it to your chili for extra tenderness and taste.
- Add flavor boosting ingredientslike cocoa, espresso, peppers, anchovies, soy sauce, spices, sun-dried tomatoes, beer, balsamic vinegar, squash or pumpkin for extra sweetness.
- Think texture contrast:experiment with beans like black, pinto, or kidney for texture and taste. Corn and peas are also great for adding crunch and color.
- Add some acidity at the endof slow cooked dishes like chili, which can be flat and heavy after so much cooking. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice will brighten up the chili and round up the flavor.
- Elevate vegetarian and vegan chili with a medley of vegetables and spices. Adding sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle peppers, miso and dried mushrooms can add an exciting flavor twist.
- Don’t skimp on the toppings– cheese, sour cream, and fresh herbs can take your chili to the next level. Remember, thetoppings should complimentthe chili rather than take away from its flavor. For example, additions like avocado or sour cream are an ideal cooling contrast to extra-spicy chili, while jalapeños give more mild versions a punch of heat, and fresh cilantro and scallions add a pop for freshness to extra-hearty and rich chili.
Now, let’s dive into the rich and diverse world of chili that will keep you warm and satisfied all season long.
Chili With Meat
The Best Chili Recipe
This is the BEST chili recipe! It’s won over two dozen cook-offs and is ready in just 30 minutes! You will love the how-to video fromSugar Spun Run.
Classic Beef Chili
This beef chili recipe is a cook-off champion! I love thatKim’s Cravingsversion is thick, chunky but not too chunky, spicy but not too spicy and simple.
Spicy Beef & Beer Chili
A hearty one-pot chili with beans that’s rich and perfect. This chili may be a bit more thin and soupy than you’re used to. But, it’s made this way for a reason. I love thatPlatings + Pairingsladles the spicy chili over top of rice, fix it up with toppings and then eat it all up with a spoon.
Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
Bring the taste of Texas Roadhouse Chili into your very own kitchen with this copycat recipe. Fix yourself a warm bowl of comfort and curl up for the evening.We love the spicy and smokey goodness inInsanely Good Recipesversion of this recipe.
Chile Colorado
Chile Colorado is a delicious pork chile that has a velvety sauce and tender pork shoulder. We love thatGirl Gone Gourmetuses real dried whole chilies to create the sauce for authentic flavor.
Dutch Oven Chili
This stovetop Dutch Oven Chili is hearty, rich, and full of flavor. The bacon, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce add a delicious smokiness. We love that this recipe will work with an enameled or cast iron dutch oven fromBites with Bri.
Sweet & Smoky Pineapple Chipotle Chili
An easy sweet and smoky pineapple chipotle chili recipe with 2 secret ingredients (gochujang and cocoa powder) that gives it a full-bodied more rounded and nuttier flavor! I love that this is not your ordinary backyard chili thanks toPups With Chopsticks.
No Tomato Chili (Texas-Style)
Thischili without tomatoesis a Texas-style chili and has the perfect amount of heat and tender chunks of beef chuck roast. This famous chili cook-off winning recipe has won multiple contests for readers. Recipe from The Dizzy Cook.
Healthy Chili Recipes
Healthy Turkey Chili
This turkey chili recipe is packed with tons of spices, veggies, beans and lean ground turkey to give it the perfect thickness and flavor while packed with protein and fiber. We love thatAmbitious Kitchenmakes a healthy version of this beloved classic.
Keto Chili
This keto chili from The Big Man’s World is made without beans or legumes, but is perfectly thick is comforting! Made in just one pot or pan, it’s simple to make but sure to impress! 3 grams net carbs per serving.
Chorizo Chili Con Carne With Chipotle
Ahearty chorizo chili con carneflavoured with chipotle peppers. This paleo and gluten-free friendly beef chilli comes with a slow cooker and stovetop methods and step-by-step photos. Recipe on the blog here.
Lean Bison Chili
Made with bison & pantry staples, it only takes about 40 minutes to make this bison chili. I love thatEasy Healthy Recipes uses bison which adds to a super flavorful, lean, and a little sweet alternative to other meats for this chili.
Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
Classic Crockpot Chili
The is a classic slow cooker chili recipe, easy to throw together with ground beef, veggies, and beans all you have to do is let it simmer all day. I appreciate the no frills approach ofThe Schmidty Wifewith this recipe that just makes you feel cozy and familiar.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Two worlds of comfort foods collide with this pulled pork chili recipe. Your friends will love you for making it on game day and you can thankOur Wabi Sabi Life blogfor creating this amazing recipe.
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili is made with juicy pulled beef that soaks up the rich sauce with deeper, even more complex flavors. We love thatRecipe Tin Eatsadds it’s own spice blend recipe instead of relying only on pre-made chili powder. And that they take the time to brown the meat for extra flavor.
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
We love how simplePlain Chickenblog makes this recipe. Simply place some chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, corn, and chili seasoning. Cover and cook all day.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Butternut Chili
This make-ahead slow cooker black bean butternut chili is perfect nutritious vegan comfort food. We love the addition of quinoa to this chili fromThe Full Helping.
Slow Cooker Ground Chicken Chili
If you get bored of regular chili recipes, try this award-winning Buffalo chili made with ground chicken mince from Slow Cooker Gourmet.
Instant Pot Chili Recipes
Instant Pot Classic Chili
This Instant Pot chili is a blend of beef, beans, tomatoes and spices, all simmered together in a pressure cooker until tender and flavorful. We love that dinner can be ready in 30 minutes fromDinner At The Zoo.
Instant Pot Creamy Taco Chili
This creamy Instant Pot Chicken Taco Chili is a one-pot, dump-and-go pressure cooker dinner recipe full of bold Tex Mex flavors. We love the taco twist to this recipe fromInstant Pot Eats.
Instant Pot Turkey Chili With Sweet Kabocha Squash
I love thatInstant Pot Eatsdeparts from the classic white chili with the addition of sweet kabocha squash, which pairs so well with ground turkey, white beans, and warm spices. You get the most delicious, sweetened sauce.
Instant Pot Beef & Chorizo Chili
Chili con carne with a twist! This beef and chorizo chili is made without beans and is paleo, gluten-free and Whole30-friendly. I love thatInstant Pot Eatsuses chorizo to add the most incredible flavour and takes a chance of going beanless.
Instant Pot Chili With Pumpkin & Chickpeas
Made with butternut squash pumpkin, pinto beans and chickpeas, this Instant Potvegan chili recipefromInstant Pot Eatshas just the right amount of spice and sweetness.
Instant Pot Pork Green Chili
Tender pork with flavourful green chilis served in a bowl with diced onions and tomatoes is a comfort food I am here for! I love this paleo and Whole30-friendly recipe from The Better Blondie.
Chili With Chicken
Creamy White Chicken Chili
I love this white chili fromA Spicy Perspectivebecause the chicken breasts are the best for absorbing the bold chili, garlic, and lime flavors, and shreds beautifully into the rich creamy cream cheese base.
White Bean Chicken Chili
Juicy chicken and tender white beans are simmered to perfection in a rich and flavorful broth. You will love this lighter version of the traditional Chili that is nutritious and delicious fromCheerful Cook.
Easy Chicken Chili
This is a tomato-based chicken chili with bold flavours. This recipe is fromHealthy Fitness Meals and I love that it’s hearty and healthy at the same time, perfect meal for a cold night.
Easy Chicken White Chili
Easy stovetop chicken chili with shredded chicken and a creamy base fromNatashas Kitchen. It’s great with tortilla chips or over a baked potato.You will love that it reheats well so it’s a great make-ahead recipe for meal prep.
White Chicken Chili (non-creamy)
A light and healthy blend of creamy white beans, shredded chicken,veggies, and the perfect level of spice. I love that Downshiftology recipe thickens the broth without dairy.
Buffalo Chicken Chili
If you like buffalo chicken wings, then this is the chili recipe for you! This chili is tomato-based, filled with cannellini beans, and chicken. You will love that it has plenty of spice to add some heat to your life from The Cookie Rookie.
Vegan & Vegetarian
Instant Pot Vegetarian Mushroom Chili
This is a hearty and nutritious vegetarian chili with vegetables, lots of mushrooms and mixed beans. This recipe is fromInstant Pot Eats but you can easily adapt it for stovetop or slow co*ker.
Hearty White Chickpea Chili
This super hearty white chickpea chili is a comforting hug in a bowl. All the flavor of white chicken chili, minus the meat. It’s creamy, loaded with beans, green chiles and all the toppings. Recipe from How Sweet Eats.
Easy Three Bean Chili
This 3-bean chili is perfect when you want a cozy warm vegan chili in 30 minutes or less! Healthy, hearty and perfect for lunch or dinner. You will love how quick and easyThe Simple Veganistarecipe is for meal prep.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili (Vegan)
This sweet potato bean chili is thick, hearty, and so easy to make with easy to find everyday ingredients. I love howThe Simple Veganistauses sweet potatoes in this recipe adding some body and slight sweetness to the chili.
Vegan Jackfruit Chili
This jackfruit chili is satisfying, healthy, and on the table in under an hour. You will love how jackfruit has the texture of shredded chicken or pork and how it easily picks up the flavours from this chili inMae’s Menurecipe.
Vegan Chili
This vegan chili is so rich and velvety and has layers of complex flavor. Tastes just like a classic chili but 100% vegan and so wholesome fromRainbow Plant Life.I love the added tips of toasting the spices and adding umami flavour boost.
Veggie-Packed Vegetarian Chili
It’s packed with hearty beans and a ton of vegetables, so not only is it delicious, it’s incredibly healthy and nutritious. I love that this recipe from Hannah Magee RD is a great source of plant-based protein, fibre, and a variety of vitamins, and minerals.
Common Chili-Making Questions
What Is Chili?
A mild to spicy stew-like dish sometimes made of ground meat, peppers, chili powder, and beans.
What To Serve With Chili?
Traditionally cornbread of all kinds, from sweet to spicy can be served with chili. But some chili enthusiast like adding chili on top of rice or spaghetti noodles. It goes well with baked potatoes, salad, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, tater tots, fries, slaw, mashed potatoes, corn, saltine crackers, and jalapeno poppers.
How To Make Chili?
This one pot meal can be as simple or as gourmet as you choose. Basic chili requires meat, beans, seasoning, tomatoes, onions and peppers all cooked together for an allotted amount of time to enjoy with family or a crowd of friends. Common chili spices are cumin chile powders and paprika, followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves.
What Beans Go In Chili?
The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, cannelini, and black beans.
How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge?
Typically 3 to 4 days stored properly in airtight containers.
What To Do With Leftover Chili?
You can make burritos, hotdogs, taco casseroles, mac’ and ‘n’ cheese, french fries, tater tots, then top off with chili on top and extra cheese. Or make a snack by adding cream cheese, canned tomatoes and green peppers to make a dip for nachos or corn chips.
How To Freeze Chili?
You can make a large batch of chili and simply freeze to enjoy later. After cooking chili, let it cool to room temperature then transfer to air-tight containers. If using freezer-safe bags, avoid potential leakage by double bagging or laying on a tray. Freeze for up to six months.
How Many Calories In A Bowl Of Chili?
Classic homemade chili made with ground beef and beans provides about 264 – 360 calories per one-cup serving. Of course, this all depends on brands and quality of ingredients. Homemade versions typically have less saturated fat and sodium than canned or restaurant chili.
