33+ Best Chili Recipes

This one’s for you, my chili lovers: a curated collection of 33 best chili recipes! From classic beef to white chicken, healthy, slow-cooker, Instant Pot, and veggie options, there’s a version for everyone’s taste. I have also included the most common chili-making questions at the bottom of this post, such as how to thicken a chili, which beans to use, storage tips, using up leftovers and more.

In this recipe collection:

• 👩‍🍳 Tips For Making Best Chili
• Chili With Meat
• Healthy Chili Recipes
• Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
• Instant Pot Chili Recipes
• Chili With Chicken
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Common Chili-Making Questions

When the days grow cooler and cosy evenings by the fire become more inviting, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chili to warm the soul.

Whether you’re a fan of the traditional beefy goodness or you’re on the lookout for healthier, meat-free, or time-saving alternatives, I’ve put together a selection of the best chili recipes that will satisfy every craving. But before I dive into the list, let’s go through some expert tips for making the best chili.

Tips For Making Best Chili

• Use a mix of ground meats for depth of flavour in classic beef chili.
• Marinate the chicken before adding it to your chili for extra tenderness and taste.
• Add flavor boosting ingredients like cocoa, espresso, peppers, anchovies, soy sauce, spices, sun-dried tomatoes, beer, balsamic vinegar, squash or pumpkin for extra sweetness.
• Think texture contrast: experiment with beans like black, pinto, or kidney for texture and taste. Corn and peas are also great for adding crunch and color.
• Add some acidity at the end of slow cooked dishes like chili, which can be flat and heavy after so much cooking. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice will brighten up the chili and round up the flavor.
• Elevate vegetarian and vegan chili with a medley of vegetables and spices. Adding sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle peppers, miso and dried mushrooms can add an exciting flavor twist.
• Don’t skimp on the toppings – cheese, sour cream, and fresh herbs can take your chili to the next level. Remember, the toppings should compliment the chili rather than take away from its flavor. For example, additions like avocado or sour cream are an ideal cooling contrast to extra-spicy chili, while jalapeños give more mild versions a punch of heat, and fresh cilantro and scallions add a pop for freshness to extra-hearty and rich chili.

Now, let’s dive into the rich and diverse world of chili that will keep you warm and satisfied all season long.

Chili With Meat

The Best Chili Recipe

This is the BEST chili recipe! It’s won over two dozen cook-offs and is ready in just 30 minutes! You will love the how-to video from Sugar Spun Run.

Classic Beef Chili

This beef chili recipe is a cook-off champion! I love that Kim’s Cravings version is thick, chunky but not too chunky, spicy but not too spicy and simple.

Healthy Chili Recipes

Healthy Turkey Chili

This turkey chili recipe is packed with tons of spices, veggies, beans and lean ground turkey to give it the perfect thickness and flavor while packed with protein and fiber. We love that Ambitious Kitchen makes a healthy version of this beloved classic.

Keto Chili

This keto chili from The Big Man’s World is made without beans or legumes, but is perfectly thick is comforting! Made in just one pot or pan, it’s simple to make but sure to impress! 3 grams net carbs per serving. 

Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

Classic Crockpot Chili

The is a classic slow cooker chili recipe, easy to throw together with ground beef, veggies, and beans all you have to do is let it simmer all day. I appreciate the no frills approach of The Schmidty Wife with this recipe that just makes you feel cozy and familiar.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili

Two worlds of comfort foods collide with this pulled pork chili recipe. Your friends will love you for making it on game day and you can thank Our Wabi Sabi Life blog for creating this amazing recipe.

Instant Pot Chili Recipes

Instant Pot Classic Chili

This Instant Pot chili is a blend of beef, beans, tomatoes and spices, all simmered together in a pressure cooker until tender and flavorful. We love that dinner can be ready in 30 minutes from Dinner At The Zoo.

Instant Pot Creamy Taco Chili

This creamy Instant Pot Chicken Taco Chili is a one-pot, dump-and-go pressure cooker dinner recipe full of bold Tex Mex flavors. We love the taco twist to this recipe from Instant Pot Eats.

Chili With Chicken

Creamy White Chicken Chili

I love this white chili from A Spicy Perspective because the chicken breasts are the best for absorbing the bold chili, garlic, and lime flavors, and shreds beautifully into the rich creamy cream cheese base.

White Bean Chicken Chili

Juicy chicken and tender white beans are simmered to perfection in a rich and flavorful broth. You will love this lighter version of the traditional Chili that is nutritious and delicious from Cheerful Cook.

Vegan & Vegetarian

Instant Pot Vegetarian Mushroom Chili

This is a hearty and nutritious vegetarian chili with vegetables, lots of mushrooms and mixed beans. This recipe is from Instant Pot Eats but you can easily adapt it for stovetop or slow coker.

Hearty White Chickpea Chili

This super hearty white chickpea chili is a comforting hug in a bowl. All the flavor of white chicken chili, minus the meat. It’s creamy, loaded with beans, green chiles and all the toppings. Recipe from How Sweet Eats.

Veggie-Packed Vegetarian Chili

It’s packed with hearty beans and a ton of vegetables, so not only is it delicious, it’s incredibly healthy and nutritious. I love that this recipe from Hannah Magee RD is a great source of plant-based protein, fibre, and a variety of vitamins, and minerals.

Common Chili-Making Questions

What Is Chili?

A mild to spicy stew-like dish sometimes made of ground meat, peppers, chili powder, and beans.

What To Serve With Chili?

Traditionally cornbread of all kinds, from sweet to spicy can be served with chili. But some chili enthusiast like adding chili on top of rice or spaghetti noodles. It goes well with baked potatoes, salad, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, tater tots, fries, slaw, mashed potatoes, corn, saltine crackers, and jalapeno poppers.

How To Make Chili?

This one pot meal can be as simple or as gourmet as you choose. Basic chili requires meat, beans, seasoning, tomatoes, onions and peppers all cooked together for an allotted amount of time to enjoy with family or a crowd of friends. Common chili spices are cumin chile powders and paprika, followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. 

What Beans Go In Chili?

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, cannelini, and black beans.

How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge?

Typically 3 to 4 days stored properly in airtight containers.

What To Do With Leftover Chili?

You can make burritos, hotdogs, taco casseroles, mac’ and ‘n’ cheese, french fries, tater tots, then top off with chili on top and extra cheese. Or make a snack by adding cream cheese, canned tomatoes and green peppers to make a dip for nachos or corn chips.

How To Freeze Chili?

You can make a large batch of chili and simply freeze to enjoy later. After cooking chili, let it cool to room temperature then transfer to air-tight containers. If using freezer-safe bags, avoid potential leakage by double bagging or laying on a tray. Freeze for up to six months.

How Many Calories In A Bowl Of Chili?

Classic homemade chili made with ground beef and beans provides about 264 – 360 calories per one-cup serving. Of course, this all depends on brands and quality of ingredients. Homemade versions typically have less saturated fat and sodium than canned or restaurant chili.