Fall in Texas may not come with a chill, but it definitely calls for comfort food – and nothing says comfort like a big pot of chili. This roundup celebrates chili in all its forms – from a tried-and-true classic like slow cooker favorite chili and smoky bacon chili to creative takes featuring dark chocolate, roasted tomatillos, pumpkin purée, and even a splash of red wine. Whether you’re stirring up a pot for game day or just looking to change up your weeknight routine, these recipes bring plenty of flavor and comfort to the table.
The Best Chili Recipe with Bacon!
This award-winning from Sugar Spun Run chili lives up to the hype! It’s rich, hearty, and packed with deep flavor thanks to a smoky hit of bacon and a quick simmer that lets everything meld together in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re entering a cook-off or just making dinner, this one’s a crowd-pleaser with a dozen blue ribbons to its name. The bacon is optional, but honestly, why would you skip it?
Weeknight Pumpkin Chili
Don’t let the name fool you – this chili from Bon Appetit isn’t your basic “pumpkin spice” anything. Instead, canned pumpkin brings velvety body and a touch of earthiness to this flavor-packed chili with ground beef, beans, and warm spices. The pumpkin blends into the background, leaving behind cozy texture and autumn vibes without overpowering. Perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’ve got that rogue can of pumpkin purée hanging around.
Slow Cooker Chili
Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting with this set-it-and-forget-it chili from Natasha’s Kitchen. Ground beef, beans, and tomato sauce simmer together with a homemade spice blend that infuses every bite. After a few hours, you’re rewarded with ultra-tender beef and next-level flavor – just like the kind that wins chili competitions. It’s low effort and high reward!
Old World Style Chili
This delight from What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine isn’t your average pot of chili – it’s comfort food with an Old World soul. Made with red wine, plum tomatoes, and an assortment of beans, it’s slow-cooked to perfection with Italian-inspired seasoning. Think garlic, parsley, and a touch of cayenne. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and made to feed a crowd with leftovers you’ll actually look forward to.
Roasted Tomatillo White Chicken Chili
Tomatillos take the lead in this creamy, craveable white chili from Whole and Heavenly Oven. They’re roasted until a little smoky, then stirred into a silky base of chicken and white beans for a chili that’s lighter, brighter, and totally addictive. Pile on your favorite toppings – cheese, sour cream, jalapeños (or whatever you’re in the mood for) – and prepare to scrape the bowl clean. It’s the chili you didn’t know you were missing.
Double Chocolate Chili
Sweet meets heat in this decadent, slow-cooked chili from Olivia’s Cuisine. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate bring out the richness of the chuck roast, while stout beer, cinnamon, and a splash of balsamic vinegar round things out with a savory twist. Bacon sneaks in (because, why not?), making this the kind of chili that wins over even the skeptics. It’s smoky, spicy, deeply complex – and yes, a total touchdown for game day.
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