25 Best Chili Recipes
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
We’ve rounded up the 25 Best Chili Recipes between our own collection and bookmarked favorites. You’ll find all kinds of different chili recipes, from stovetop to crockpot and meaty to vegetarian. There are even a few ways to incorporate this hearty favorite into other meals. Easy to make, freezer-friendly, and pure comfort food on a cold day… doesn’t get much better than that!
Table of Contents
25 Best Chili Recipes
There are all different kinds of chili, whether it’s loaded with ground beef, turkey, sausage, or steak… or if it’s entirely meat-free!
It’s pure comfort food, the kind that warms a body from the inside out. Plus, chili can be pretty economical to make, and it freezes well too.
And don’t get me started on my favorite twists, from chili dogs and hearty casseroles to simmering soups that fill the kitchen with the most amazing smells.
Browse through the recipe descriptions for each of the 25 best chili recipes below. Then, when you find something that you’d like to make, click on the title.
From there, you’ll be taken straight to the post, where you can print, save, bookmark, or Pin the recipe to make later.
HEARTY CHILI RECIPES
Ground beef, steak cubes, double meat… any of these recipes will create a stick-to-your-ribs meal that’s easy to adapt for texture, flavor, and spice level.
- Quick Draw Cowboy Chili
Ready in under 30 minutes but still packed with enough Southwestern flavor to knock your boots off. With two types of meat and three bean varieties, this one’s extra hearty and filling.
- Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Chili
This is Chad’s very own recipe for a rich and hearty beef chili, with big, bold flavor and a mighty spicy kick!
- Whisky Jack’s Down Home Steak Chili
Another 30-minute favorite that doesn’t skimp on flavor. This one’s extra smoky from seared steak and Jack Daniel’s whiskey, and there’s plenty of beans to keep you feeling full.
- Tasmanian Chili (Outback Copycat)
This bean-free chili is still plenty hearty, with enough steak and veggies to go around. The spices will make your tongue tingle, and it’s extra delicious with toppings piled on!
- Over the Top Smoked Chili
Craving the outdoors? Make this thick chili in a Traeger or pellet smoker. The beef drippings flavor the chili while it cooks for maximum smoky goodness.
EASY CHILI RECIPES
There isn’t always time to pull out all the stops, so each of these comes together in under 30 minutes with little to no prep work… perfect for busy weeknights!
- 5-Ingredient Chili
Flavorful doesn’t have to mean complicated, and this recipe proves that! Beef, tomatoes, beans, and chiles come together for an easy weeknight meal.
- Wendy’s Copycat Chili
No reason to hit the drive-thru when you can stay cozy at home! This version tastes just as good as the original, but it feeds the whole family and makes great leftovers.
- 7 Can Chili Soup
The ultimate dump-and-go dinner, loaded with beans, meat, veggies, and a little Velveeta… for some cheesy goodness, of course!
- Hearty Italian Sausage Chili with Beef
A go-to when everyone’s starving and I need dinner on the table fast. 6 ingredients. 15 minutes. Easy peasy.
BEST CROCKPOT CHILIS
Let the slow cooker do the hard work so you can come home to a hot meal that’s ready to serve.
- Crockpot Steak Chili Recipe
Stick-to-your-ribs hearty and game day approved, this one’s beautifully seasoned and begging for a second bowl.
- Turkey Chili
A favorite for holiday turkey leftovers or just when I’m feeling something lighter. It’s ready in about 4 hours, so you don’t have to wait all day either!
- Easy Chili in the Crock Pot
This one’s got all the classic ingredients (plus sausage AND beef!), simmered low and slow for hours for maximum flavor.
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Lighter, creamier, and zestier than more traditional chili recipes. It’s a great way to mix up the flavors while still enjoying a cozy meal.
MEATLESS AND VEGETARIAN CHILIS
Trust me, you won’t miss the meat once you try these veggie-packed recipes. Even my meat-and-potatoes husband agrees 😉
- Power Packed Vegetarian Chili
I’m talking plenty of beans, plenty of peppers, and plenty of spices… plus a bottle of beer as my secret flavor weapon!
- Vegetarian Chili with Walnuts
Instead of meat replacements, this recipe combines walnuts, mushrooms, and carrots for flavor, texture, and protein.
- Garden Vegetable Beanless Chili Soup
Take advantage of in-season veggies from your local farmer’s market to make this hearty, healthy meal. It’s delicious… no beans about it!
- Vegetarian Cincinnati Chili
Also known as Skyline Chili, this one’s served over spaghetti noodles with a variety of toppings. This version is packed with everything but the meat!
UNIQUE & DIFFERENT CHILI RECIPES
Take a step outside the box with these unique and flavorful twists on the comfort food classic.
- Italian Chili with Sausage
Of course, we’ve got an Italian-spiced version of America’s favorite cold-weather comfort food on The Slow Roasted Italian!!
- Thai-Style Chicken Chili
An Asian take on white chicken chili that’s a must if you love Thai flavors. Tender chicken and veggies in a red curry and coconut milk broth.
- Spicy Pork Chili
If you aren’t sure whether to make traditional or Tex-Mex-style chili, simply combine both! This recipe is easy to make on the stove or in the Instant Pot.
- Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
When fall flavors are all you crave, this no-bean recipe needs to be in your arsenal! The broth is a quick mole sauce, so it definitely packs a little heat.
CHILI DINNER IDEAS
Whether you’ve got leftovers to use or are in the mood for different types of chili recipes, these will leave you feeling just as satisfied!
- Chili Mac and Cheese
This recipe combines two comfort foods into one dish that’s super easy to make. Extra gooey, extra flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes.
- Easy Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
A family favorite that’s great for parties, game day, or a pack of hungry teens. Set up a topping bar and let everyone make their own!
- Cheesy Chili Mashed Potatoes
This one’s got all the love of a home-cooked meal with a few time-saving shortcuts. One of my favorite chili dinner ideas when we’re not in the mood for a soup or stew-based meal.
- Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe
With ground beef, veggies, white and red beans, ditalini pasta, and plenty of Italian seasonings, this copycat Olive Garden recipe could technically be called an Italian chili soup!
HOMEMADE CHILI FAQ
For a classic bowl, you can’t go wrong with shredded cheddar cheese, diced green onions, and some crumbled homemade cornbread.
But different types of chili recipes may call for different toppings. Try diced bell pepper or jalapeño with Tex-Mex flavors or corn chips with something extra smoky. If it’s extra spicy, a dollop of sour cream will cool things down.
Hands down, the most overlooked ingredient in a spice cabinet is salt. It marries all of the other ingredients together. Salt is the single most important ingredient to add to chili! Without it, the flavors will be muted and bland.
Otherwise, seasonings can vary for different kinds of chili. Here are a few ideas to take your pot from great to phenomenal.
Vinegar: This isn’t always actual vinegar, although it could be. Just using a vinegar-based ingredient like soy sauce or Worcestershire will help cut the acidity in tomato-based chili.
Spice Blends: I mean, they don’t call it chili seasoning for nothing. Pair spices with the type of meat used or the overall flavor profile you’re aiming for. And don’t be afraid to add more if needed!
White or Brown Sugar: Sugar has the same effect on an acidic ingredient that vinegar does, but it also adds a bit of sweetness.
Alcohol: Beer, vodka, and whiskey or bourbon are fantastic flavor enhancers in all kinds of different chili recipes. As long as the chili simmers at 190°F for 5 minutes, the alcohol will burn off, leaving behind nothing but incredible flavor.
Bittersweet Chocolate: If you’ve ever had Mexican mole sauce, you know that dark chocolate adds depth and richness. And it can do the same thing to a chili broth!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Originally published October 2012, updated and republished January 2026
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
