Our 23 Best Chili Recipes (2024)

If you're going to keep one recipe in your back pocket when the weather cools down, you can't go wrong with homemade chili. Pull out your Dutch oven, and go with a meaty option like Short Rib Chili or a meat-free take like Vegetarian Black Bean Chili with Ancho and Orange. Whether you're looking for a new chili recipe to love or an upgrade to an old favorite, these hearty bowls are sure to please.

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Classic Beef Chili

Our 23 Best Chili Recipes (1)

If you don't have a favorite chili recipe, make this one your go-to for game day. Fresh poblano and toasty ancho chile powder provide a tame level of heat, making this a crowd-friendly dish that guests can crank up by topping with a few slices of fresh jalapeño. And thanks to convenient canned beans, you can get this on the table in under an hour.

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02of 23

Cincinnati Chili

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Cincinnati chili is not your average bowl of chili. There's a certain structure to how to order it: Two-Way (or just chili spaghetti), Three-Way (chili, spaghetti, and shredded cheddar cheese), and Four-Way (chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese, and onions or beans). It's also served over hot dogs and in sandwiches. The chili gets depth from plenty of spices, such as cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with a light kick from cayenne.

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03of 23

Lightnin' Fast Weeknight Skillet Chili

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Mexican chorizo, fire-roasted tomatoes, and chipotles add bold, smoky flavor to this weeknight-friendly beef chili recipe.

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04of 23

White Chicken Chili

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This creamy, spicy, and boldly-flavored White Chicken Chili cooks in one pot in under an hour. It gets its luscious texture from creamy navy beans and chopped corn tortillas, which thicken the broth and give it a long-cooked flavor. A lightly piquant combination of fresh jalapeños, diced green chiles, ground cayenne, and chili powder lend heat without overpowering the chili, while fresh and cooling cilantro, stirred in at the last minute, balances each bowl.

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05of 23

Short Rib Chili

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Fresh jalapeños, smoky chipotle chiles in adobo, and fruity ancho chile powder give this thick, meaty short rib chili layers of heat, while red wine and tomato add acidity to balance out the richness of the tender short ribs. For a more budget-friendly option, substitute cubed beef chuck roast for the short ribs. Homemade pickled red onions provide a colorful, tasty, crunchy topping.

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06of 23

Pork Chile Verde

This pork chile verde recipe from Guy Fieri is chock-full of meltingly tender pork shoulder braised in a tomatillo and chile-infused broth. Fieri uses pasilla, poblano, anaheim, and jalepeño peppers as the chile base for this comforting stew. It’s a warming, cozy dish for a winter gathering and perfect for any game day gathering.

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07of 23

Mapo Tofu–Inspired Beef and Black Bean Chili

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This chili gets incredible flavor from the Chinese fermented chile and bean paste known as doubanjiang (aka toban djan). A big pot of black beans and beef is packed with the málà flavor (spicy, tingly, and numbing) of mapo tofu thanks to the combination of Szechuan peppercorns and chiles.

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08of 23

Turkey-and-Pinto-Bean Chili

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This chili is made with ground turkey, olive oil, pinto beans, and plenty of vegetables. It has the perfect level of spice, not too much nor too little, so it's perfect for everyone.

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09of 23

Chili con Tofu

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Spicy chili seasonings pair beautifully with tofu. For a more substantial, spicy chili, use the same weight of tempeh in place of the tofu. Since tempeh is not packed in water, there's no need to pat it dry before sautéing, but stir in up to one extra cup of water in Step 4 when adding the beans.

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10of 23

Black-Bean Turkey Chili

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Garlic, cumin, ancho, and New Mexico chile powders spice up this relatively simple recipe. Black beans bolster up the lean ground turkey and chunks of chopped tomatoes. Serve with grilled tortillas and a dollop of sour cream.

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11of 23

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili with Ancho and Orange

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This vegetarian chili starts with canned black beans and a simple tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Plus, a hint of fresh orange adds a warm, sweet note to the rich spices.

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Chili with Guajillo and Ancho Chiles and Hominy

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This chili is flavored with three kinds of dried chiles: fruity guajillos, smoky anchos, and a New Mexico chile. After he soaks the chiles in water to plump them, he blends them to form a silky puree, which gives the chili a complex flavor.

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13of 23

Cumin Chili

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You'll get a bright taste of cumin in this great cold-weather chili made with ground beef, beans, and green bell pepper. If you want a hotter chili, add as much cayenne as you like.

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14of 23

Four-Chile Chili

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Ground sirloin, jalapeño, ancho, chipotle, and paprika play a key role in this spicy chile, combined with beans and beef broth. It'll keep in the fridge for up to four days, or you can freeze it for two months if needed. It's the best ready-made meal there is.

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15of 23

Three-Chile Beef Chili

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With coffee, stout beer, smoky bacon, and three kinds of chiles, this recipe makes one vibrant pot of chili. Two pounds of ground beef and three cans of pinto beans add plenty of heft and make this the ultimate cold-weather meal.

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16of 23

Beef Chili with Beans

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This smoky, spicy version of chili is a slightly modified version of Grant Achatz's mother's chili, made with ancho, pasilla, and chipotle powders, plus a homemade blend of seasonings and fresh herbs.

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17of 23

Pork-and-Brisket Chili

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In Kansas City, Missouri, chef Colby Garrelts makes a giant pot of chili for his family's Sunday supper, often using venison that he has hunted himself. Here, he uses a mix of pork shoulder and brisket for a super-satisfying bowl of chili. Anything using Rancho Gordo beans is a winner in our book.

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18of 23

Spicy Chicken Chili

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Serving this spicy stew is a surefire way to please everyone at the table. You can also substitute leftover turkey or chicken in for the chicken thighs.

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Crock-Pot Chili

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Chili benefits from being simmered low and slow. And if you want to use dried beans instead of canned, it's effortless to make in a slow cooker. Add them with the ground beef, tomatoes, and spices, and just six hours later, you have delicious chili. For a spicier dish, add a minced, seeded poblano chile or two minced, seeded chipotle chiles in adobo along with the jalapeños.

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20of 23

Chickpea and Swiss Chard Chili

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This smoky, rich chili is a simple one-pot dish and it takes just 30 minutes to make and requires only 10 ingredients (salt and pepper included). The leftovers are perfect for saving for lunch the next day.

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21of 23

Vegetable Chili with Garlic Rice

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Here are two recipes for the price of one: a garlicky rice side dish that's also delicious with chicken or shrimp, and a hearty black-bean chili that puts meatier versions to shame.

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22of 23

Quick Three-Bean Chili

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Some chilis need to simmer for a long time to help the flavors develop. This one doesn't because the addition of little bit of bacon instantly adds meatiness and a smoky flavor.

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23of 23

Winter Vegetable Chili

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This vegetable chili, thick with kidney beans and hominy (dried, hulled corn kernels), is deliciously smoky and spicy.

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Our 23 Best Chili Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the best meat for chili? ›

Ground beef is an immensely versatile, excellent addition to any chili and happens to be one of the quickest to cook and least expensive options of them all. That means you could cook a large amount of chili to feed your entire family for less.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

How important is oregano in chili? ›

Oregano is an important herb in chilli con carne. The oregano that you'll most commonly find is the Mediterranean kind, commonly found in Greek and Italian cooking.

Does Wendy's put sugar in their chili? ›

Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...

What makes Wendy's chili taste so good? ›

Wendy's chili is made with a blend of beef and spices that create its unique flavor. The beef is slow-cooked and blended with a mix of chili spices, including chili pepper, cumin, garlic, and onion.

Why do you put butter in chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

What can I add to chili to make it unique? ›

5 Secret Ingredients That'll Take Your Chili to the Next Level
  1. Cocoa Powder. Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. ...
  2. Beer. Why use water or stock as your liquid when you could add beer? ...
  3. Coffee. ...
  4. Cinnamon.
Sep 12, 2021

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Cinnamon adds a different spice profile than chili powder or red or cayenne pepper would. It is a common savory spice in Indian food and I believe it's also used in savory dishes in Chinese cooking. It's a very versatile spice :).

What chili has the best flavor? ›

In talking with many pepper enthusiasts, we've found the Habanero to be universally considered to be one of the best tasting peppers.

What kind of beans are best for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Sweet onions are great for caramelizing due to their higher sugar content. You can cook them into your chili, serve them raw over top, or even elevate your chili with a sophisticated caramelized onion topping! Some of my favorite sweet onions are Walla, Walla, Maui, and Vidalia Onions.

Do you drain meat when making chili? ›

The beef will release a lot of fat and liquid — do not drain it; you'll skim the fat off at the end. Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until well combined and fragrant.

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

How do you make chili taste stronger? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›

In a pot of chili, just a few strips of bacon add a smoky, meaty depth. And it's not just the bacon itself that adds flavor, it's the bacon fat, too. Before you start your recipe, cook 3 to 4 strips of thick-cut bacon until they're as crispy as you like.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

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