Simmering chili in Instant Pots, stovetops, and slow cookers ushers in the cooler weather, and I’ve gathered some of the BEST CHILI RECIPES. It features hearty chili recipes with meat, chili with beans, no bean-chili, and vegetarian recipes. When you crave a cozy bowl of chili with all the toppings, you will FALL hard for the 25 best chili recipes!

What’s the Scoop on Chili?
As soon as the first leaf changes color (usually September 1st), my mind shifts to fall comfort food regardless of the weather. There is something soothing about a piping hot bowl of homemade chili, and it’s the perfect meal for potlucks, get-togethers, game nights, and cook-offs.
- 1. Chili Con Carne with Beans
- 2. Chocolate Lamb Chili
- 3. Dutch Oven Chili
- 4. Beef Chili
- 5. Sweet and Spicy Chili
- 6. Turkey Chili
- 7. Chili with Beans and Millet
- 8. Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili
- 9. Spicy Chickpea Chili
- 10. White Chicken Chili
- 11. Chili Verde
- 12. Pozole Rojo
- 13. No Bean Turkey Chili
- 14. Vegetable Chili with Quinoa
- 15. Paleo Chili
- 16. Low-Carb Keto Chili
- 17. Chicken Chili
- 18. Beef Chili
- 19. Cincinnati Chili Copycat
- 20. Bacon Cheeseburger Chili
- 21. Elk Chili
- 22. Fall Pumpkin Chili
- 23. Five Bean Chili
- 24. One Pot Chili Mac
- 25. Turkey Pumpkin Chili
The 25 Best Chili Recipes
Chili is a hearty one-pot meal that’s easy to make and sure to feed a crowd. How to prepare the chili and what you include differs regionally, but we have a ton of variations to choose from.
1. Chili Con Carne with Beans

Warm up with a heaping bowl of savory, southwest-style chili. Authentic chili con carne with beans features hearty beef chuck, black beans (gasp! I know), and a satisfying combination of chiles.
2. Chocolate Lamb Chili

Chocolate lamb chili combines lamb stew meat, mixed beans, and smoky, rustic spices for a decadent meal you’ll love.
Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen
Try karahi gosht, boneless leg of lamb roast, or lamb shoulder chops for more lamb recipes!
3. Dutch Oven Chili

Easy dutch oven chili is a hearty and delicious dump and go recipe that’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a comforting meal at home – you can also pack up the ingredients to make campfire chili for a cozy outdoor adventure.
4. Beef Chili

Make the best (award-winning) beef chili by combining simple ingredients like crispy bacon and ground beef. Like savory baked beans with hamburger, the chili simmers on the stovetop for 30 minutes.
Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run
5. Sweet and Spicy Chili

Sweet and spicy chili is loaded with delicious beef and a perfect blend of warm spices to deliver an award-winning chili recipe to impress your family and friends!
Photo Credit: Salt and Baker
6. Turkey Chili

Flavorful ground turkey chili satisfies even the heartiest of appetites. It’s packed with lean ground turkey, three kinds of beans, and a warm combination of spices.
Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen
7. Chili with Beans and Millet

Make the best vegan chili with beans and millet! It’s a hearty and satisfying vegan chili – loaded with vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
Photo Credit: My Pure Plants
8. Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili

Prepare the butternut squash and chickpea chili recipe in your slow cooker or stovetop. The chili is brimming with fresh vegetables and plant-based protein.
Photo Credit: The Almond Eater
9. Spicy Chickpea Chili

Spicy chickpea chili comes together in 10 minutes for a healthy, vegan, and gluten-free meal.
Photo Credit: I Heart Vegetables
10. White Chicken Chili

This Instant Pot white chicken chili features layers of shredded chicken, creamy white beans, corn, and a well-spiced broth for a filling chili ready in less than an hour.
11. Chili Verde

Make Instant Pot chili verde – juicy, tender chicken pieces pressure-cook in a tangy, savory homemade roasted green chili sauce.
Photo Credit: Pressure Cook Recipes
12. Pozole Rojo

Instant Pot pozole rojo is a hearty chili made with tender pork and filling hominy, simmered in a flavorful dried-chile flavored broth, and garnished with fresh toppings. Serve the chili with warm corn tortillas or crispy tostadas.
13. No Bean Turkey Chili

Hearty and healthy no-bean turkey chili is an easy meal prep recipe that simmers in the Instant Pot. Plus, the chili is gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-approved.
Photo Credit: Clean Eating Kitchen
14. Vegetable Chili with Quinoa

Instant Pot vegetable chili with quinoa is an easy, comforting quick weeknight meal with black beans, quinoa, and veggies.
Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry
15. Paleo Chili

Paleo chili recipe is right up there with traditional chili. It is filling and full of delicious flavor from the veggies and meat.
Photo Credit: Laura Fuentes
16. Low-Carb Keto Chili

Make no bean, keto chili in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or pressure cooker using simple ingredients.
Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum
17. Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker chicken chili is filled with zesty flavor and tender shredded chicken. It is a simple and healthy recipe the whole family will love!
Photo Credit: A Simple Palate
18. Beef Chili

Slow Cooker beef chili is a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with a buttery hunk of cornbread or Dutch oven sourdough bread.
Photo Credit: Belle of the Kitchen
19. Cincinnati Chili Copycat

If you don’t have skyline chili near you and find yourself craving the comfort of an authentic Cincinnati chili, this is the recipe for you. Eat the chili as is, or serve it over spaghetti noodles.
Photo Credit: An Affair from the Heart
20. Bacon Cheeseburger Chili

Bacon cheeseburger chili combines two classic comfort foods into one tasty dish. The hearty chili recipe will be an instant favorite for all the burgers and chili lovers in your life.
Photo Credit: 4 Sons R’ Us
21. Elk Chili

Warm up with a bowl of homemade chili with ground elk. This chili is a healthy, easy, one-pot meal to serve alongside cornbread and all your favorite fixings.
22. Fall Pumpkin Chili

Fall pumpkin chili is sure to help you through the cooler months. Prepare the chili with roasted and pureed pumpkin, or use prepared, canned pumpkin if you are in a pinch. For more pumpkin flavor, try carrot pumpkin soup – it’s delicious!
Photo Credit: Salt and Lavender
23. Five Bean Chili

This five-bean chili recipe is a perfect pantry clean-out meal and great when you need to feed a crowd.
Photo Credit: Fuss Free Flavours
24. One Pot Chili Mac

Healthy vegetarian chili mac is brimming with tangy beer, beans, pasta, olives, spices, and cheese for a one-pot meal that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Photo Credit: iFood Real
25. Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Ground turkey pumpkin chili is quick, healthy, and easy to make. A generous bowl of this chili will warm you up this fall.
Photo Credit: Masala Herb
Tools You Need to Make Chili
- Dutch Oven: One of the best investments a home cook can make is purchasing a quality Dutch oven. I use a Lodge Dutch oven, but many prefer Le Creuset.
- Slow Cooker: There is something nice and homey about dumping all your ingredients into a Crockpot and leaving it to simmer for hours as the smell circulates through the house.
- Instant Pot: An Instant Pot is one of the most used kitchen gadgets because it helps me prepare quick and easy meals.
Serving Suggestions
- Bread: Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread, Dinner Rolls, Bread Bowl, Pao de Sal, Corn Casserole, Corn Muffins, Corn Bread
- Dippers: Saltines, Corn Tortilla Chips, Corn Chips, Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, Tostadas
- Potatoes: Roasted Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Hasselback Potatoes, Air Fryer Home Fries
- Grains: Rice, Quinoa
- Entrees: Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese, Chicken Sausage
Ways to Garnish Chili
- Dairy: Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Herbs: Chives, Scallions
- Vegetables: Avocado, Jalapeños, Radishes, Lime Wedges, Cabbage, Onions, Pickled Onions, Sumac Onions
What to do with the Leftovers
The best chili recipes also make for delicious leftovers. And chili almost always tastes better the next day (but that’s just my opinion).
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days, depending on the ingredients.
- Freeze:Transfer the chili to a freezer-safe container or bag. Chili freezes for 2-3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Warm the chili on the stovetop or microwave, and enjoy!
- Repurpose: Make walking nachos, chili and rice casserole, chili cheese fries, chili spaghetti squash casserole, chili dogs, chili and tater tot casserole, Frito chili pie, and chili cornbread casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gives chili the best flavor?
The answer varies depending on who you ask, but follow my suggestions for what to add to make great-tasting chili.
Heat: Including fresh or dried chiles, hot sauce, chili paste, and spices like red pepper flakes, ancho chili powder, and chipotle powder is a great way to add flavor.
Acid: Add a fresh pop of acidity, such as white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice brighten savory chili recipes.
Fat: Saute meat and vegetables in oil and butter or stir in shredded cheese and cream cheese. Fatty cuts of meat like chuck roast and pork shoulder can lend additional flavor.
Alcohol: Deepen the flavor of chili with a splash of wine, beer, cider, and whiskey.
Sweetener: A little brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or chocolate is an excellent way to balance the natural acidity of tomato-based chili.
Secret Ingredients: Recipe developers and home cooks swear by secret ingredients to take the flavor of chili to the next level. A few of my favorites are coffee, chocolate, fish sauce, marmite, or Worcestershire sauce. You can also include warm spices like ground cinnamon, garam masala, taco seasoning, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, or ground nutmeg.
What’s the best protein for chili?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to the best protein for chili. Use traditional ground beef or try ground turkey, deer, elk, or chicken for a low-calorie option. If you crave something more hearty, include a chuck roast, brisket, short rib, or lamb.
Shredded meat like chicken, turkey, and pork are a great addition to chili recipes. Use lentils or beans for plant-based protein or to make chili more filling. And I get it – whether to include beans (or not) is a hot topic, but they have their place. Here are some of the best beans for chili!
More Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes:
Bianca
Saturday 17th of September 2022
I have already tried 3 of these recipes and they're all amazing! Can't wait to try even more from the list!
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 17th of September 2022
Three, oh man! You are quite the achiever. I am glad this list of recipes was helpful to you.
Giangi
Saturday 17th of September 2022
I shared this post with my husband, who is the Chili lover in the family and loves to cook. The only food he will cook is chili. He made Instant Pot Chili Verde, and he was happy to have found a great recipe; we all love it. Thank you for all the suggestions. Each recipe looks amazing.
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 17th of September 2022
I haven't tried that one yet, but it looks so good! Thanks for checking out the post and sharing it with your husband. I hope it passes the chili-lover's test.
fede
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
Your chili con carne was amazing. Can't wait to try more of these recipes you mentioned.
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 17th of September 2022
Chili con carne is one of my most treasured recipes; I am happy you enjoyed it.
Lynne
Monday 12th of September 2022
The chili mac and cheese is my kiddos favorite! I will be referencing this round up all football season!
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 17th of September 2022
Yes, we come back to it almost every Sunday!