recipes

19 Chili Recipes to Keep You Warm on Chilly Nights

Whether you’re looking for a speedy stovetop recipe or a make-ahead slow-cooker one.
frito pie soup
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova

Whether for a cozy weeknight in, a Super Bowl dinner for a crowd, or a set-it-and-forget it slow-cooker meal, we have chili recipes galore. The best part: They can be as hands-off or involved as you want. Many types of chili on this list are pantry-friendly, relying on canned beans, ground meat, and spices you likely already have. But if you’re an overachiever, give BA’s Best Beef Chili recipe a go, with whole guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chiles that you toast and grind for their robust flavor. No matter how stocked your kitchen is or how much cook time you have, any night can be a homemade chili night, whether it’s a brothy vegetarian version, or a hearty, beefy one. All you need is a side of cornbread to sop it up.

  • A bowl of chili topped with sour cream shredded cheddar and jalapeño slices beside a Dutch oven with more chili and open...
    Photograph by Victoria Jane, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon, Food Styling by Mallory Lance
    1/19

    Halftime Chili

    Canned beans and boxed stock cut down the prep time in this easy chili recipe that’s perfect for game day. Like a hint of smoke? Add chipotle chiles or some smoked paprika. Want more heat? Stir in a bit of cayenne pepper.

    View Recipe
  • Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova
    2/19

    A Better Turkey Chili

    While creamy white beans are the beans of choice in this ground turkey chili, feel free to swap in red kidney beans, black beans, or whatever canned beans are in your pantry.

    View Recipe
  • Bobbi Lin
    3/19

    Beef Chili

    A can of tomatoes—preferably fire-roasted—and a bottle of lager give this meaty beef chili its intense savoriness, and a scoop of brown sugar adds a molasses sweetness.

    View Recipe
  • Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua
    4/19

    Cozy and Quick White Chicken Chili

    Smashing some of the white beans as they cook gives this comforting white chili its velvety consistency. Fresh jalapeños sprinkled on top add crunch and heat.

    View Recipe
  • Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    5/19

    Vegetarian Chili With Lots of Fritos

    The garnishes are definitely not optional in this hearty pinto bean chili. Dollop with sour cream, shower with crushed Frito or tortilla chips, and top with slices of avocado for the ultimate bowl.

    View Recipe
  • Alex Lau
    6/19

    Beef Chili

    Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are key to this ground beef chili’s smoky heat. (Looking for a slow-cooker option? Give this version of BA’s best chili recipe a try—prep it ahead of time in your Crockpot for game day or busy weeknights.)

    View Recipe
  • Alex Lau
    7/19

    Chicken Chorizo Chili

    Instead of chorizo, this chili recipe can also be made with chicken, turkey, or Italian sweet or spicy sausage. Don’t skip the cheddar cheese, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream on top.

    View Recipe
  • Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
    8/19

    Spring Chili With Greens

    This brothy, shoulder-season vegetarian chili gets plenty of warmth and heat from chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika.

    View Recipe
  • Alex Lau
    11/19

    White Bean and Chorizo Chili

    If it’s your first time cooking dried beans from scratch, don’t sweat it. After an overnight soak and a gentle simmer in a Dutch oven, they’re guaranteed to be perfectly creamy.

    View Recipe
  • Eva Kolenko
    12/19

    Beef and Squash Chili

    Acorn squash lends a light sweetness (and an extra dose of autumn vibes) to this homey, comfort-in-a-bowl beef chili.

    View Recipe
  • Matt Duckor
    13/19

    Dark Meat Turkey Chili

    Browning, then braising whole turkey legs adds both body and flavor to this meaty, savory chili—so much better than the ground stuff.

    View Recipe
  • Alex Lau
    14/19

    White Chili

    This classic chili works well with ground chicken or turkey too. With ground cumin and oregano toasted in olive oil (don’t skip this), it’s a crowd-favorite comfort food for a reason.

    View Recipe
  • Brian Leatart
    15/19

    Beef and Dark Beer Chili

    Onions plus yellow and green bell peppers make up the bulk of the veggie base in this stovetop chili. Malty stout amplifies the meatiness of ground chuck, while a topping of green onions adds a bite of freshness.

    View Recipe
  • Marcus Nilsson
    16/19

    Black Bean Chili with Butternut Squash

    This chili veers into veggie stew territory with the addition of bulgur for bulk and cubed butternut squash for bites of sweetness. Eight cloves garlic may seem over-the-top, but it’s just the right amount.

    View Recipe
  • Marcus Nilsson
    17/19

    Chili con Carne

    Warm spices like ground cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice make this a great chili to cozy up with as soon as it starts to feel like fall. For that saucy, stewy texture, tomato paste and masa are key.

    View Recipe
  • 18/19

    Texas Beef Brisket Chili

    If you’re bean-averse, this bean-free Texas chili recipe is your new go-to. After you sauté bacon, the rest of the chili is cooked up in that bacon fat, making it extra rich and savory.

    View Recipe
  • Leo Gong
    19/19

    Chicken and White Bean Chili

    This simple-but-delicious chili uses cans of diced tomatoes to make it that much speedier. A classic mix of chili seasonings—chili powder, ground cumin, oregano—bring earthy heat.

    View Recipe
Explore Bon AppétitBeanBeefChiliDinnerMeat