Best Chili Recipes
Ask anyone what the best chili recipes are and you’re likely to find mixed replies. Some people prefer classic beef chili while others opt for leaner, lighter turkey chili. Then there’s white bean chicken chili to content with and all the vegetarian chili options, as well as vegan chili, keto-friendly chili and yes, lots of chili-topped hot dogs. Let’s not forget mac and cheese chili, cornbread-topped chili casseroles and Cincinnati chili spaghetti.
What Goes With Chili
One of our favorite ways to serve chili is with a DIY topping bar! Just set out an array of accouterments and let everyone help themselves with what they want to add to their chili. Some classic ingredients include sour cream, scallions, tortilla chips, lime wedges, diced avocado and shredded cheddar cheese, but don’t forget the jalapeños, corn, salsa, red onion and crumbled queso fresco. As for what goes with chili, cornbread is a given, as is nachos, quesadillas, tacos, baked potatoes, Mexican rice, bread rolls or breadsticks, macaroni and cheese and fajitas. No matter what your chili preference is, we’ve compiled plenty of quick recipes to satisfy all cravings, but good luck saving any chili leftovers—these dishes are bound to go quick!
Hearty Turkey Chili
This warming chili from Parade Chef Jon Ashton is just the thing for cooler fall nights, tailgating or even pre-trick-or-treating. Grated carrots add a touch of sweetness that’s a perfect complement to the spices. If you wish, add some heat with a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Get the recipe
Roasted Apple and Squash Chipotle Chili
This sweet, smoky, spicy, and surprising entree hits the spot on a fall evening. With apples and squash, the best produce of the season pairs perfectly with chili spices and smoky chipotle seasoning. Get the recipe
Fire-Roasted Chipotle Turkey Chili
When you smell the fiery aroma of hot chili simmering on the stove top, you immediately imagine football eats and cold-weather comfort food. This fire-roasted chipotle turkey chili can be served either way, and no one will ever believe it starts out with lean ground turkey. Get the recipe
MVP Sausage Chili
While chili snobs will argue over what true chili really is, you’ll be enjoying this amazing recipe that brings together many well-loved (if hotly debated) chili ingredients. Top with chopped onion, grated cheese, sour cream, and serve with a side of tortilla chips. Get the recipe
Camp Washington’s 5-Way Chili
In the U.S., your choice of chili—beans or beanless? Thick or thin? Ground meat or chunks?—can be as contentious a topic as your favorite NFL team. Cincinnati residents take pride in their Bengals—and their chili. Created by Greek immigrants, it’s called 5-way for its quintuple layers: spaghetti, spicy meat sauce, beans, cheese and onions. The version served at Cincinnati’s Camp Washington Chili has been dubbed “America’s classic.” Get the recipe
Hawaiian Chili
This tangy, spicy-sweet chili is an homage to professional knife sharpener Lisa Weiss’s childhood in Hawaii. Get the recipe
Cornbread-Topped Beef Chili
The slow cooker makes this filling chili from Alison LaFortune, who blogs at lifealittlebrighter.com, mostly hands off. The cornbread topping makes it irresistible. Using canned soup, frozen corn and taco seasoning keeps prep to a minimum, but delivers hearty Southwest flavor. Get the recipe
Best White Chicken Chili
If you love chili, try a lighter version and make one with white beans and chicken instead of a traditional beef recipe. It’s super hearty and so flavorful, and really easy to make. Get the recipe
Quick and Easy Chili
This quick and easy chili recipe is just the thing to make when your family is hungry and you’re in a hurry. This tasty chili features ground beef, beans, onions, garlic and tomato sauce. It’s that simple. Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews Get the recipe
Roger Staubach’s Family Chili
When we asked Staubach for his favorite game-day dish, he told us his wife’s hearty Texas-style chili recipe is the absolute best. Its no-fuss prep and short ingredient list makes it a sure win on any Super Bowl party menu. Get the recipe
Vince Young’s Steakhouse Signature Short Rib Chili
Though the former quarterback played for Philadelphia, Vince Young has major roots in Texas, and that’s exactly where he opened his restaurant—Vince Young Steakhouse. When we asked for Young’s must-have game-day dish, we were sent this mouthwatering recipe from Young’s Steakhouse executive chef, Phillip Brown, who scaled the recipe down to size for you to make yourself at home. Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Invite the gang over to chow down a big bowl of hearty turkey chili. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, Mexican-style cheese and cilantro. Get the recipe
Chili Cornbread Casserole
This casserole combines two comforting recipes into one easy dish. Both chili and cornbread are delicious alone, but something magical happens when you bring them together. Get the recipe
Chorizo Stout Chili
Whether its vegan chili or a bean-less celebration of pork, all types of chili can benefit from the the malty powers of some dark beer. Get the recipe
Four-Bean Chili Mac and Cheese
If you’re lucky enough to have chili leftovers, make this kid-friendly mac and cheese. This is a 5-in-1 meal with leftovers from this Four-Bean Chili, plus Chili Spaghetti, Chili Baked Fries and Chili Baked Potatoes. Get the recipe
Andrew Zimmern’s Brisket Chili
What do you do with leftover brisket? Make James Beard Award-winning chef and TV personality, Andrew Zimmern’s favorite game-day dish: brisket chili. Get the recipe
President Obama’s Chili
“I borrowed this recipe from my husband—it’s now the President’s Chili Recipe. When we lived in Chicago, we loved to invite our family and friends over to our house, make a batch of chili, and enjoy the evening together.” —Michelle Obama Get the recipe
Copycat Wendy’s Chili
Copycat Wendy’s Chili recipe is sure to be a big hit for your hungry bunch come dinner time, or for a tailgate party during football Sunday. Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Chili
This chili is a great way to get extra vegetables into your diet (or your children’s) in a one-pot easy meal. Get the recipe
Speedy Vegetable Chili
Loaded with vegetables and beans, this hearty chili will fill up your family without wrecking anyone’s diet goals. Get the recipe
Slow Cooked Vegetarian Chili
This slow cooker veggie chili is chock full of healthy beans and veggies. Don’t forget the cocoa powder— it’s the secret ingredient. Get the recipe
Maneet Chauhan’s Slow-Cooker Bloody Mary Chili
Popular Food Network Chopped judge Maneet Chauhan, chef/owner of Chauhan Ale and Masala House, Tànsuo and The Mockingbird in Nashville, shares her kitchen must-haves and a bright-flavored chili recipe with a surprise ingredient: Bloody Mary mix. Get the recipe
Vegetable and Bean Chili
Packed with goodness and flavor, this quick and easy vegetable chili makes for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. Get the recipe
Turkey Chili with Squash
Made with extra-lean ground turkey and canned beans, this chili is fasts, low-fat and sticks to your ribs. You can use mild, medium or hot salsa verde (usually made with tomatillos and jalapeño chilies). Get the recipe
Vegetarian Chili
You won’t miss the meat in this hearty bowlful. Get the additional toppings here, and try pairing it with corn bread. Get the recipe
Game-Day Frito Pie with Slow Cooker Chili con Carne
The origin of Frito pie may be a mystery, but let’s just agree it’s among the most perfect foods to serve at a tailgate. It’s hard to go wrong with a hearty helping of chili scooped right into a crinkly single-serving bag of crunchy, salty corn chips and topped with all the fixin’s. Get the recipe
Turkey Chili
Chili is great served over a bowl of rice and topped with garnishes. Get the recipe
Easy Crock Pot Chili
Nothing says game-day food like chili. It’s a classic dish that sports fans have been enjoying for as long as we can remember. Now, thanks to your slow cooker, it is even easier to make this popular dish! Get the recipe
Ruth Reichl’s Chili
Reichl’s journey to regain her balance through cooking comfort foods, like this soul-satisfying chili. Try it with her homemade chili powder recipe as well. Get the recipe
Chili Dogs
Historians have a hard enough time pinpointing the birthplace of the hot dog, and determining the chili dog’s origin is just as tricky. But a prominent theory traces it to northern New Jersey circa 1920, when a customer at John Patrellis’s hot dog stand in Paterson reportedly brought his own cup of chili to use as dressing for his hot dogs. Get the recipe
30-Minute White Chicken Chili
This easy, flavorful chicken and white bean chili recipe will become a favorite soup recipe at your house for years to come! Get the recipe
Al Roker’s Chili
America’s favorite weatherman shared one of his favorite chili recipes with PARADE. Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Chili con Carne
Ladle up a bowlful of goodness with a slow cooker Chili con Carne topped with Cheddar Scallion Biscuits. Get the recipe
Cranberry Turkey Chili
Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce star in this chili from Sandra McCollum, who blogs at adashofsanity.com. Cleanup is a breeze with this one-pot meal, and the cranberry adds a surprisingly delicious sweet note. Get the recipe
Chicken Chili
This chili rocks whether you serve as is or get creative with toppings. In addition to the ones listed here, you can serve this with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chopped tomatoes, pitted, chopped black olives or even some crumbled tortilla chips. Get the recipe
Roger Staubach’s Family Chili
When we asked Staubach for his favorite game-day dish, he told us his wife’s hearty Texas-style chili recipe is the absolute best. Its no-fuss prep and short ingredient list makes it a sure win on any Super Bowl party menu. Get the recipe
Chili for a Crowd
When choosing chopped meat for chili, you’ll find that beef chuck adds great flavor. And you never can have too many spices. Look for dark-red kidney beans. Lemon juice brightens all the tastes! Get the recipe for Chili For A Crowd. Get the recipe
Hot Buffalo Wing Cheddar Chili Dip
This hot wing buffalo cheddar marries seamlessly with chili in a dip that you won’t be able to get enough of. You can customize it and add more cream cheese, tomatoes and other toppings to keep the heat at a minimum, but why do that? Get the recipe
Texas Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Blogger Jennifer Robins turns Southern favorites into healthy dishes without sacrificing the signature full Southern flavor in Down South Paleo. “If there is one thing the Southern states take as seriously as college football season, it’s the chili served during those pigskin months!” Get the recipe
Crock-Pot Cincinnati Chili
If you have never had this version, it’s a little different than what you might think of as chili, but oh so tasty. Get the recipe
Chili Nights
When temps drop, turn to a winter-weather favorite recipe—in a snap! Get a satisfying chili dinner on the table in 30 minutes with help from the Instant Pot, an all-in-one programmable pressure cooker that speeds cook times and leaves you hands-free. Get the recipe
Beef and Bean Chili
This hearty dinner has just the right amount of kick. Get the recipe
Beef and Kidney Bean Chili
A winning, flavor-packed combo in one hearty bowl of chili! Get the recipe
Christy Jordan’s Best Classic Chili
“Any southerner worth their salt has a great chili recipe, preferably a signature one,” says Jordan. “This is why I set out several years back trying out this one and that, tweaking and adding until I came up with one I could call my own. This recipe has developed over the years, and most days I make it in the slow cooker so I don’t have to fret over it or remember to stir throughout the day.” Get the recipe
Chicken Chili with Maple-Roasted Pumpkin
This Chicken Chili recipe has a touch of Maple Roasted Pumpkin mixed into it. It’s the perfect fall-themed chili. Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Four-Bean Chili
Here’s a super easy four-bean chili to make for your family in the slow cooker. Besides the fact that adults adore it, your kids will have a ball adorning their chili bowls with tons of accompaniments. Get the recipe
Tom’s Champion Chili
Texans take their chili very seriously. Only Texas red, a meat-based type devoid of beans or other fillers, is allowed. This recipe, by Tom Dozier of Irving, TX, prevailed over 325 chilis dishes at the 44th Annual Terlingua International Chili Championship. Get the recipe
Sheila’s Favorite Vegetable Chili
By cutting the veggies into large pieces, this dish appears as hearty as any beef chili. Get the recipe
Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Kelley Simmons, blogger at chefsavvy.com, promises you won’t miss the meat in this hearty chili that’s loaded with beans. Quinoa adds protein to this satisfying meal, which can be poured into zip-top plastic bags and frozen. Get the recipe
25-Minute Quick-Draw Cowboy Chili
Finally, chili that is so thick and hearty you can eat it with a fork! Cowboy chili is the perfect answer to dinner on football Sunday. Get the recipe
Four-Bean Chili Spaghetti
I get really excited about the subject of leftovers. I’m not talking about re-serving your family cold, day-old food, I’m talking about re-inventing the dish you made on Monday and turning it into something completely new and exciting on Tuesday (and possibly even Wednesday too). This dish began with this recipe: Four-Bean Chili. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, make this kid-friendly Spaghetti. This is a 5-in-1 meal. Use leftovers from this Four-Bean Chili to make this Spaghetti, plus Chili Baked Fries, Chili Mac and Cheese, and Chili Baked Potatoes. Get the recipe
Creamy White Chili
Chili is such a quintessential autumn food, but sometimes with a classic, you still want to switch it up a bit. That’s what we are doing today. If you’ve never tried a “white” chili, you will be pleasantly surprised at how hearty and tasty it is, just like the original. This recipe was actually inspired by my favorite creamy chicken enchiladas. I decided all the same flavors would be delicious is a piping hot bowl of chili, perfect to warm up with on a crisp fall day. We are going to be eating a lot of soups, and of course chili, over the next few months as the mercury keeps dropping, why not make sure we have new versions to try to keep our taste buds awake and happy! Get the recipe Next: 200+ Best Crockpot Recipes
