There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of homemade chili to warm you up on game days, on the tailgate, after a long day of skiing and sledding, or just because you’re craving some comfort food. Packed with hearty beans, veggies, and the protein of your choice (chicken, turkey, beef, plant-based meats, etc.), these 52 Best chili recipes are an easy and affordable way to feed a hungry crowd any time of the year.
Related: Best Green Chili Recipes
Best Chili Recipes
Ask anyone what the best chili recipes are and you’ll likely find mixed answers. Some people prefer classic beef chili, while others opt for lean, lighter turkey chili. Then there’s the white bean chicken chili to be happy with and all the vegetarian chili options, as well as vegan chili, keto-friendly chili and yes, plenty of hot dogs with chili tops. Let’s not forget mac and cheese chili, chili cornbread stews, and Cincinnati chili spaghetti.
What belongs to Chile?
One of our favorite ways to serve chili is with a DIY topping bar! Just put out a range of accessories 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 chili, cornbread is a given, as are nachos, quesadillas, tacos, baked potatoes, Mexican rice, sandwiches or breadsticks, macaroni and cheese, and fajitas.
Related: 22 Easy Stews From Around the World
It doesn’t matter what your chili preference is, we’ve put together lots of quick recipes to satisfy all cravings, but good luck saving any chili leftovers – these dishes are sure to go fast!
Savory Turkey Chile
This warming chili from Parade Chef Jon Ashton is just what you’re looking for for cooler fall nights, tailgating, or even pre-trick-or-treating. Grated carrots add a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the spices. Add some heat, if desired, with a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
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Fire Roasted Chipotle Turkey Chili
When you smell the fiery scent of hot chili simmering on the stove, you instantly imagine football food and cold-weather comfort food. This fire-roasted chipotle turkey chili can be served anyhow, and no one will ever believe it starts with lean turkey.
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MVP Sausage Chili
While chili snobs will argue about what real chili really is, you’ll love this great recipe that brings together many beloved (albeit hotly debated) chili ingredients. Sprinkle with chopped onion, grated cheese, sour cream and serve with a side of tortilla chips.
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Camp Washington’s 5-Way Chile
In the US, your choice of chili beans or no beans? Thick or thin? Ground meat or chunks? — can be as controversial a topic as your favorite NFL team. Cincinnati residents are proud of their Bengals and their chili. Made by Greek immigrants, it’s called 5-way because of its five-tiered layers: spaghetti, spicy meat sauce, beans, cheese, and onions. The version served on Cincinnati’s Camp Washington Chile has been called “America’s Classic”.
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Best White Chicken Chili
If you like 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.
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Vince Young’s Steakhouse Signature Short Rib Chili
Although the former quarterback played for Philadelphia, Vince Young has deep Texas roots, which is exactly where he opened his restaurant:Vince Young Steakhouse† When we asked for Young’s must-have game dish of the day, we got this mouthwatering recipe from Young’s Steakhouse chef, Phillip Brown, who has tailored the recipe so you can make it at home.
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Chile of President Obama
“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.” to enjoy.” —Michelle Obama
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Turkey Chili With Squash
Made with extra lean ground turkey and canned beans, this chili is quick, low-fat, and sticks to your ribs. You can use mild, medium, or hot salsa verde (usually made with tomatillos and jalapeño peppers).
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Game-Day Frito Pie with Slow Cooker Chili con Carne
The origin of Frito pie may be a mystery, but let’s agree that it is one of the most perfect dishes to serve on a tailgate. It’s hard to go wrong with a hearty serving of chili scooped right into a crinkly bag of crunchy, salty corn chips and topped with all the fixin’s.
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Easy Crock Pot Chili
Nothing says game-day food like chili. It’s a classic dish that sports fans have enjoyed for as long as we can remember. Thanks to your slow cooker, it’s now even easier to make this popular dish! Get the recipe
Chile Dogs
Historians are having a hard enough time locating the hot dog’s birthplace and the origin of chili dog is just as difficult. But a prominent theory traces it to northern New Jersey around 1920, when a customer at John Patrellis’ hot dog stall in Paterson allegedly brought his own cup of chili to use as a dressing for his hot dogs.
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Chicken Chili
This chili rocks whether you serve it as is or get creative with toppings. In addition to those listed here, you can serve this with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chopped tomatoes, pitted, chopped black olives, or even some crumbled tortilla chips.
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The Chile family of Roger Staubach
When we asked Staubach about his favorite dish of the day, he told us that his wife’s hearty Texas-style chili recipe is the absolute best. Its easy preparation and short ingredient list make it a surefire win on any Super Bowl party menu.
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Chile for a crowd
When choosing minced meat for chili, you will find that beef chuck adds great flavor. And you can never have too many spices. Look for dark red kidney beans. Lemon juice brightens up all flavors!
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Hot Buffalo Wing Cheddar Chili Dip
This hot wing buffalo cheddar pairs seamlessly with chili in a dip you can’t get enough of. You can adjust it and add more cream cheese, tomatoes, and other toppings to keep the heat to a minimum, but why would you?
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Texas Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Blogger Jennifer Robins turns Southern favorites into healthy dishes without sacrificing the signature full-bodied Southern flavor in Down South Paleo. “If there’s one thing the Southern states take as seriously as college football season, it’s the chili served during those pigskin months!”
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Chili nights
When the temperature drops, you’ll be turning to a favorite winter weather recipe in no time! Have a satisfying chili dinner on the table in 30 minutes using the Instant Pot, an all-in-one programmable pressure cooker that speeds up cooking times and leaves you hands-free.
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Christy Jordan’s best classic chili
“Any Southerner worth their salt has a great chili recipe, preferably a signature recipe,” Jordan says. “This is why I started trying this and that a few years ago, tweaking and adding until I came up with one that I could call mine. This recipe has evolved over the years and most days I make it in the slow cooker so I don’t have to worry about it or remember to stir all day.”
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Slow Cooker Chili with four beans
Here’s a super easy four bean chili to make for your family in the slow cooker. Besides the fact that adults love it, your kids will have a ball adorning their chili bowls with plenty of garnishes.
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Tom’s Champion Chile
Texans take their chili very seriously. Only Texas red, a meat-based type without beans or other fillers, is allowed. This recipe, by Tom Dozier of Irving, TX, featured over 325 chili dishes at the 44th annual Terlingua International Chili Championship.
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Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Kelley Simmons, blogger at chefsavvy.com, promises you won’t miss the meat in this savory bean-packed chili. Quinoa adds protein to this satisfying meal, which can be poured into zip-lock plastic bags and frozen.
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Creamy White Chili
Chili is such a quintessential fall food, but sometimes you want a bit of variety with a classic. That’s what we do today. If you’ve never tasted a “white” chili, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how hearty and tasty it is, just like the original. This recipe is actually inspired by my favorite creamy chicken enchiladas. I decided the same flavors would be delicious, a piping hot bowl of chili, perfect for warming up on a crisp fall day. We are going to be eating a lot of soups, and of course chili, in the coming months if the mercury continues to drop why not make sure we have new versions to keep our taste buds awake and happy!
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Next one: 10 ways to eat chili outside the bowl
