29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (2024)

Looking for a new favorite chili recipe? Or maybe you need a new chili recipe for a game day party. We've got delicious homemade chili recipes ready for you to try! Ideas for spicy chili recipes, vegetarian chili recipes, and creamy chicken chili recipes will inspire your next meal. With these takes on chili, you'll have plenty of options to keep you warm and cozy throughout the cool fall and winter months.

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Copycat Turkey Chili

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29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (1)

Our Test Kitchen's turkey chili recipe is inspired by the famous Panera version you love ordering. With mostly cans involved in the long ingredient list, this (almost) dump dinner comes together in less than an hour, so it's perfect for busy weeknights. As one BHG reviewer raves, "This is one of the chili recipes we make on repeat come fall and winter because everyone loves it."

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Classic Chili

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Rich, chunky, and filled with flavor, this traditional beef chili recipe is a classic for a reason. In fact, it's been a Better Homes & Gardens fan-favorite for decades. Add an extra sprinkle of cheese and a dollop of sour cream for a creamy finish.

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Spicy White Chili

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A pinch of cayenne delivers mild heat, while shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream enrich the white-bean broth. To make this soup budget-friendly and hearty, make it a turkey chili recipe by using up your leftover Thanksgiving bird. Or if you've got a rotisserie chicken on hand, use that for easy prep.

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Texas Chuck Roast Chili

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This Texas chili recipe gets tons of meaty flavor from a boneless beef chuck roast. Though if you'd prefer ground beef, there's info on how to substitute it. To achieve the thick texture, we've added some Masa Harina (corn flour) to the base. Use the instructions for the slow cooker version or the pressure cooker version to best suit your schedule.

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Jalapeño Popper Chili

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If you love ordering jalapeño poppers, this creamy chili recipe is perfect for you. Adding fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese to the chili echoes the flavors of the game-day favorite. Top each bowl with a piece of crispy bacon for extra texture and flavor.

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Chili-Pasta Skillet

Chili-Pasta Skillet

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For a chili recipe that's extra hearty, add just a little bit of pasta. Two ounces is all that's called for here so the recipe is still a chili recipe at its core, but with a flourish of a macaroni for a family-friendly change-up.

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Beef and Bean Chili

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A generous handful of corn chips is the crunchy accent on this easy chili recipe. It takes only 10 minutes to simmer and blend flavors of beef, onions, tomato, jalapeño chile peppers, and beans. Oh, and this one's got a special ingredient (chocolate!) to give it a rich, deep flavor.

Pork Rib Chili with Corn Bread

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29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (8)

This is one of our more unusual chili recipes but it looks and tastes familiar, so it's a low-risk new recipe to add to your repertoire. What makes it unusual? For starters pork ribs are the meat used instead of ground meat. Then we also add fresh poblano peppers and a bit of brewed coffee (yes, coffee) for deep flavor. Everything comes together in your slow cooker—even the corn bread, which you add for the last hour.

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Two-Tomato Stew Chili

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29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (9)

This beef chili packs a two-tomato wallop with both dried and canned tomatoes. We've also thrown in some extra veggies (carrots, green chiles, and onions) for good measure. Crushed red pepper adds bite, balanced by mild and sweet red and green chiles.

Test Kitchen Tip: No chili seasoning on hand? Raid your spice cabinet and make your own with our homemade chili seasoning recipe.

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Veggie Chili Verde with Seitan Crumbles and Lager

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29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (10)

Ground seitan (wheat gluten) gives this vegan chili recipe a "meaty" texture even carnivores can enjoy. Give your chili bowl an extra punch of flavor by topping with fresh cilantro, green onion, and cherry tomatoes. Since this is a beer chili, you should probably serve it with some cold brews.

Our Best Vegetarian Soup Recipes

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In-Your-Sleep Chili

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29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (11)

This simple chili recipe is true to its name: anyone can make it. Grab your five ingredients and throw them in the slow cooker for a meal so easy, you could practically make this one in your sleep. All you'll need is your favorite toppings and you're ready to dig in.

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Southwestern Meatball Chili

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Bookmark this quick weeknight meal. Refrigerated meatballs, frozen mixed veggies, quick-chopped tomatoes, and spices are all you need for a family-pleasing chili dinner in less than 30 minutes.

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Winter Woods Chili

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For a chili that's sure to satisfy the meat-lovers in your family, try this recipe: It combines beef and bacon. Mix the classic cheddar topper with fresh oregano for a new twist. If you wind up with leftovers, try freezing it for another chilly night in the future.

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Pork and Poblano Green Chili

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To keep this green chili recipe extra green, use poblano peppers and a green bell pepper in addition to the salsa verde (that's green salsa). Then top with fresh cilantro for a bright green garnish, if you like.

Chunky Vegetable Chili

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No need to worry about a veggie side dish when you make this produce-filled meatless chili recipe. Zucchini, bell pepper, onion, celery, tomatoes, and corn are all included in the hearty mix. Add your favorite toppers to complete each bowl.

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Game Day Chili

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There are few dishes that scream football season as chili does. Get your home tailgate party going with this delicious slow cooker chili recipe. The beef chili is accompanied by some sweet and smoky spices. Bittersweet chocolate and dried plums sweeten and thicken the mix while balancing the spiciness in this all-time favorite game day recipe.

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Harvest Chili

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With harvest in the name, this is obviously one seasonal recipe you don't want to skip. Cayenne and chili powder add heat to the mix of chicken-apple sausage, butternut squash, and Granny Smith apples. Ladle it onto a bed of polenta for a satisfying one-dish dinner.

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Mexican-Inspired Chili

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Add bigger flavor to your chili by using Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, diced green chiles, and plenty of chili powder and cumin. We love letting the flavors come together for hours in the slow cooker, but you could also cook this recipe on the stovetop, if you prefer.

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Vegetarian Green Chili

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Cilantro, spinach, edamame, and green onions send a healthy message in this vegetarian chili recipe. Oh, and it's also got some rice and creamy avocado to make it extra filling. A jar of salsa verde is a time-saving ingredient that makes this chili unique.

Healthy Soups, Stews, and Chilis to Warm You from the Inside Out

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New World Chili

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For a pleasing twist on slow cooker chili, try this pumpkin-packed turkey chili recipe that also stars dried cranberries and jalapeño peppers. It's a fall recipe you'll definitely make every year (if not more!).

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Pineapple Pork Chili

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Pineapple in chili may sound like one of the more unique chili recipes out there, but the balance of slightly sweet with the spice and succulence of chili is a flavor combo you'll want to try. The pineapple garnish is optional, so the only "special" ingredient you need is pineapple salsa. By the way, the entire recipe requires only 5 ingredients!

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Kickin' Chicken Chili

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Try something new with chicken breasts. Here they contribute to a terrific chili recipe, especially when mixed with green salsa, bell peppers, onion, beans, and diced tomatoes. Make this one on a Sunday and enjoy the leftovers for easy lunches the next few days.

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Slow Cooker Cheesy Chili Mac

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Two childhood classics (macaroni and chili) combine in this easy one-pot dinner. And with the help of your Instant Pot or slow cooker, this recipe couldn't get much easier! Just remember to cook the pasta separately and save it for serving time so it doesn't get mushy. Top with corn chips for some crunch.

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Pulled Pork Skillet Chili

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Chili can be made on a skillet, too. Hearty and flavorful, this chili will warm you on even the most blustery of winter evenings. What really sets this dish apart, however, is the brilliant addition of cornbread dumplings right on top of your dish.

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Wasatch Mountain Chili

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Hominy, chicken, and Great Northern beans create a tantalizing trio for your tastebuds in this jazzed up white chili recipe. For even more flavor, dress up each serving with green salsa, tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro. Bonus: this quick-cooking chili only takes 15 minutes to prepare.

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Southwestern White Chili

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You can have this easy chili recipe on the table in just 30 minutes. The weeknight meal is filled with chili-staples like beans, chiles, and chicken. Top each bowl with shredded Monterey jack cheese.

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Summer Chili

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This quick chili recipe is a pantry favorite. In just 20 minutes, you'll have a comforting bowl filled with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Toss canned beans, frozen corn, and canned tomatoes into the pot to create a new take on classic chili.

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All-American Chili

All-American Chili

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Beef, beans, tomato things, and spices—this is the classic chili recipe so many crave. Of course you can make it your own by adding your favorite toppings, but you can't go wrong with a quick-to-make boxed corn bread mix.

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Beefy No-Bean Chili

Beefy No-Bean Chili

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Whether you try to eat Paleo or just don't like beans in your chili, this no-bean chili recipe is one to try. Beef and beef broth add the savory elements while a full cup of shredded cabbage per serving adds freshness.

29 of the Best Cozy Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm All Season Long (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 secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

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.

What type of meat is best for chili? ›

You can really use any meat for chili, but here are the cuts that are most popular for classic chili:
  • Ground beef (80/20) ...
  • Ground sirloin (90/10) ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Short ribs. ...
  • Tri-tip sirloin. ...
  • Work with your butcher to get multiple textures. ...
  • Use multiple animals to add depth. ...
  • Go for grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
May 11, 2021

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What spices make chili hotter? ›

Store bought or homemade, keep some pickled banana peppers, cayenne pepper powder, or diced jalapenos (with or without seeds!) on the table so your guests have the option of dialing up the spice or keeping it completely turned down.

What are the best beans 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.

Why put coffee in chili? ›

Though it may be an unusual choice, coffee adds an earthy richness to the existing flavors and plays well with spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Plus, it's a flexible ingredient – while we typically reach for instant espresso powder, you can also add in brewed coffee, making this dish the perfect use for leftovers.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

Not Cooking It Long Enough

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high.

What is the cheapest meat for chili? ›

Ground beef

This is the quickest and least expensive type of beef to use for chili. Yes, the dish still simmers for a while, but you don't have to worry about tenderizing the meat.

What kind of meat does Wendy's use in their chili? ›

The Wendy's Chili recipe ingredients are simple at their core, but at Wendy's it's all about blending our signature beef with the perfect mix of hearty vegetables, chili beans and savory spices. The result is a taste that's both satisfying and sentimental, and it's the perfect comfort food anytime of the year.

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Why add vinegar to 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 does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›

Ground Beef: Provides the hearty meaty base for the chili. Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish's overall flavor and texture. And don't stress about the fat—post-cooking, it's easy to skim off any excess. Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent.

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