Some are meaty, some are creamy, and others are totally vegan. There are so many different types of chili, it can be hard to know where to start. Do you nix the beans? Add tomato sauce? What about white chili? And what’s this chocolate talk all about? The answer: make it however you want! Load it up with beans, cram it full of veggies, or make it thick and meaty to the max. And if you need inspiration, check out the recipes below.
25 Easy Chili Recipes You’ll Ever Make
1. The Best Bowl of Chili You’ll Ever Have
Claiming the best chili ever is certainly a bold statement. But take a bite, and you’ll agree this stuff is legendary! The heat and spices are on point. So is the ratio of meat to veggies. As for the toppings, it doesn’t get more perfect than cheddar cheese and sour cream! There is one secret ingredient that I haven’t mentioned yet. Can you guess what it is? Dark beer!
2. Chilli Con Carne
Con carne is Spanish for “with meat,” and this chili is chock-full of it! A whole pound of ground beef, to be exact. There is also a can of red kidney beans in the mix. And while purists may tell you it shouldn’t have beans, it’s still incredible nonetheless. Packed with Tex-Mex spices and beef bouillon cubes, it’s nothing short of big, bold flavors.
3. Cowboy Chili
Cowboy chili is a classic that never disappoints. The beef cooks for an hour, allowing the juices to meld with the other ingredients to make it more robust. I think even naysayers will agree the beans belong in this!
4. Bacon Bison Chili
If you like thick and meaty chili, you’ll go nuts for this recipe. The lean chunks of bison with smoked bacon and chunky vegetables simmer in canned tomatoes until impossibly tender. It’s crammed with big juicy bites without an ounce of broth to water it down. It’s also super easy to make. Simply sauté the ingredients, simmer, and wait (if you can!).
5. White Chicken Chili
Sometimes it’s nice to swap out a usually tomato-heavy dinner for a lightened-up, creamy version. It’s just as comforting but in a different way. The tender chicken, sweet corn, earthy beans, chopped green chilies, and creamy broth hit a range of cozy notes ground beef and canned tomatoes just can’t. But it doesn’t end there! You’ll also add chicken soup, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Wow!
6. Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado
Now this is how you do vegetarian chili! Sweet chunks of butternut squash, black beans, canned tomatoes, and a whole mess of spices make it just as hearty as any meat-filled recipe. What really sells it, though, is the avocado, tortillas strips, and fresh cilantro on top.
7. Decadent Vegan Chocolate Chili
Chocolate chili may sound a bit odd, but if you’ve ever had mole, you’ll totally get it. The key is to get the right kind of chocolate – you don’t want milk, white, or semi-sweet chocolate. Instead, look for dark chocolate that’s around 60%. Combine it with the spice blend, passata, red chilies, and liquid smoke for one ridiculously complex chili.
8. McCormick Chili
When you don’t have all day to cook a batch of chili low and slow, there’s this six-ingredient McCormick Chili. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s sure to please the whole family with a nice side of cornbread. Ground beef and red kidney beans make it very filling. And rather than rummaging around the spice cabinet, you’ll keep it simple with McCormick chili seasoning. The store-bought blend has all the right spices and ratios, so you can perfectly season it every time.
9. Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili
This healthy vegan chili is one you can eat all winter long without an ounce of guilt. The combination of sweet butternut squash and earthy black beans makes it insanely hearty. Add a few teaspoons of cocoa powder to give it extra depth. Trust me, you’ll love it!
10. Wendy’s Chili
Ditch the long lines at the drive-thru and make this copycat chili instead. Savory, comforting, and packed with protein, it’s one of my personal favorites. The mix of ground beef, two types of beans, green chilies, stewed tomatoes, and chili seasoning make it taste just like Wendy’s!
11. Easy Quinoa Chili
Got a bag of quinoa in the pantry staring you in the face? Make vegetarian chili! This easy quinoa recipe combines a handful of pantry staples with fresh corn and cilantro for a quick dinner. Not only is it customizable, but it’s also foolproof.
12. Tim Hortons Chili
Every time I swing by Tim Hortons, I have to order their chili – and a big box of Timbits, of course! I love it so much, I actually spent hours in the kitchen trying to make my own. And I’m pretty thrilled with the results. This copycat recipe is a pretty close replica, if I do say so myself. It’s complete with ground beef, kidney beans, veggies, spices, and my secret ingredient that makes it a match.
13. Skyline Cincinnati Chili
Anyone who’s had the pleasure of eating Skyline chili knows how unique it is. Unlike your standard bowl, this iconic Midwestern dish takes a savory mix of ground beef and piles it on top of hot dogs or spaghetti. The spice blend is also somewhat unique, and you have five different choices on how to customize your bowl. Fun, right?
14. White Bean Turkey Chili
There are many ways to do white chili, but I think this one might be my fave! It’s spicy, lean, creamy, and fresh, doubling down on the protein with turkey and white beans. It’s also packing plenty of garlic, thanks to a whopping five cloves. Use leftover turkey if you have it. Also, go with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to make it more nutritious. As for the toppings, don’t be shy! #moreismore
15. Texas Roadhouse Chili
Okay, I admit it. I love ordering chili when we go out to eat. And I’m guessing since you’re here, you really love it too. So here is another copycat recipe I spent hours trying to perfect. It’s a take on the famous Texas Roadhouse dish that’s spicy, smokey, and wonderfully meaty. Try it once, and I know you’ll be hooked.
16. Smoky Chipotle Chili
The smokiness of chipotle is the perfect match for chili. It adds another layer of depth to make the ground beef, pork, and beans more complex. Garlicky, spicy, and savory, this is one hearty bowl! Toss it all together in the Crockpot first thing in the morning, and it’ll be waiting when you get home. How easy is that?
17. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Why pick between barbecue and chili when you can have them both?! Pulled pork and BBQ sauce pack this bowl with the flavors you crave. Meanwhile, the chili, beans, canned tomatoes, and broth turn it into the warming dinner you desire Throw it all in the slow cooker and walk away. Soon enough, you’ll have fork-tender meat that’s perfectly spiced.
18. Beluga Lentil Chili
Is it a pantry staple kind of day? Great! You can make this vegan chili. On their own, lentils don’t have a lot of pizzazz. But that all changes when you toss tomato sauce and spices into the mix. If you’ve got some fresh fixings, add those to the top. Otherwise, these plant-based ingredients hold up just fine on their own.
19. 15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili
Whether you’re a bean or no-bean chili believer, there’s no denying 15 bean chili is one scrumptious dish. Rather than stock up on 15 different cans, just toss a pre-packaged bean soup mix into the slow cooker. Next comes the ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and broth. When all that is nice and tender, add canned tomatoes and let it simmer. Delish!
20. Chorizo Sweet Potato Chili
Here’s another super chunky chili you have to try. It’s Paleo, Whole30, and takes just 35 minutes to whip up. The sweet potato with the salty bacon and spicy chorizo is a winning match you’ll crave again and again. Top it off with avocado, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
21. Moroccan Lamb Chili with Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, and Kale
If you want something meaty, filling, and unique, you have to give this tantalizing Moroccan lamb chili a shot! It’s thick, spicy, and just a touch elegant. Unlike typical American chili recipes, it calls for harissa paste. So it’s super flavorful but very spicy. Use it with caution.
22. Cincinnati Turkey Chili Spaghetti Squash Boats
Here’s another Cincinnati chili I know you’ll love. Each tender baked squash is overflowing with turkey black bean chili and topped off with gooey cheese to boot. The squash is a healthier alternative to regular spaghetti, and it tastes great too.
23. Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Chickpea Chili
When I crave Mexican food but want some healthy, I throw on a pot of this chili. The shredded chicken, verde salsa, jalapeños, and lime have all the flavors I long for, while the quinoa, corn, and chickpeas ensure it’s nutritious. Zesty and fresh, this slow cooker chicken makes eating healthy so easy.
24. Instant Pot Short Rib Black Bean Chili
Meaty and complex, this chili is probably my favorite on the whole list. It takes a whole two pounds of juicy short ribs and doctors them up with warming spices, coconut aminos, semi-sweet chocolate, crushed tomatoes, and more. While it may be hard to tell because of all that meat, there’s poblanos, black beans, and bell pepper hiding in there too.
25. Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Max out on comfort food with this creamy and cheesy chicken chili. Although the cream cheese is rather indulgent, it’s got a ton of black beans, corn, and chicken to balance it out. Unlike other chilis, this one calls for minimal ingredients, and the seasoning is easy to get right. All you need is a package of ranch dressing and three other spices. Click on a star to rate it!
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