20 Best Fall Chili Recipes You Need to Try This Season

The crisp air, the turning leaves, and the anticipation of cozy evenings call for a hearty bowl of chili. There’s nothing quite like cradling a warm bowl of this comfort food in your hands while savoring its rich flavors.

Whether you’re a fan of the classic beef chili or are eager to experiment with different ingredients like pumpkin, turkey, or even sweet potatoes, I’ve got you covered. Here are the "20 Best Fall Chili Recipes You Need to Try This Season" to warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds.

1. Classic Beef Chili

Everyone needs a go-to beef chili recipe. This one is packed with ground beef, beans, and a mix of spices to create a hearty meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
2. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the beans and tomatoes, then bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

2. Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin adds a delightful twist to traditional chili, making it perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a large pot.
2. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the pumpkin puree, beans, and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili

A wholesome and filling chili that's packed with sweet potatoes and beans.

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper until tender.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring well to combine.
3. Mix in the sweet potatoes, beans, and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 45 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.

4. Turkey and White Bean Chili

A lighter, yet still flavorful chili perfect for those watching their red meat intake.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground turkey in a large pot until browned.
2. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño, and sauté until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the beans and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

5. Chicken and Black Bean Chili

A hearty chili featuring tender chicken and black beans, perfect for a cold fall night.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the diced chicken in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until softened.
3. Mix in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the beans and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

6. Three-Bean Chili

A vegetarian option loaded with different types of beans for amazing texture and flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in the black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

7. Vegan Quinoa Chili

A nutritious and hearty vegan chili packed with quinoa and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
2. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini.
3. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in the black beans, kidney beans, and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Add the cooked quinoa and mix well.

8. Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

Set it and forget it with this easy slow cooker chili recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then transfer to a slow cooker.
2. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

9. White Chicken Chili

A creamy and delicious chili made with tender chicken, white beans, and green chiles.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can green chiles
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the diced chicken in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the white beans and green chiles.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

10. Spicy Chorizo Chili

Turn up the heat with this spicy, flavorful chorizo chili.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chorizo sausage, casings removed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the chorizo sausage in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the black beans and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

11. Smoky Chipotle Chili

A smoky, spicy chili with the deep flavors of chipotle peppers.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes with chipotle peppers
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef in a large pot until browned.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the beans and tomatoes with chipotle peppers.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

12. Cauliflower and Black Bean Chili

An innovative and delicious chili with a twist of cauliflower for added crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a large pot until tender.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix in the cauliflower, black beans, and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

13. Beef and Beer Chili

Robust and rich, this chili uses beer to intensify the flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 bottle of dark beer
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the beans, tomatoes, and beer.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 45 minutes.

14. Butternut Squash Chili

A unique and flavorful chili featuring butternut squash.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a large pot until tender.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in the butternut squash, black beans, and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 45 minutes until the butternut squash is tender.

15. Texas-Style Chili

For those who prefer chili without beans, this Texas-style chili is rich and meaty.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef chuck in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 2 hours until the beef is tender.

16. Sausage and White Bean Chili

A flavorful chili featuring spicy sausage and creamy white beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spicy sausage, casings removed
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the white beans and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

17. Green Chili with Pork

A tomatillo-based green chili that's spicy and savory.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cubed
• 1 lb tomatillos, husked and chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown the pork shoulder in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the tomatillos.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 1.5 hours.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

18. Black Bean and Corn Chili

A colorful and tasty chili featuring black beans and sweet corn.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a large pot until tender.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in the black beans, corn, and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

19. Mushroom and Lentil Chili

A vegan chili where mushrooms and lentils provide a meaty texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms in a large pot until tender.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in the lentils and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 45 minutes until the lentils are tender.

20. Bison Chili

A lean and flavorful chili featuring bison meat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground bison
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground bison in a large pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the beans and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Fall is undoubtedly the perfect time to explore new chili recipes and bring warmth to your table. From the classic beef chili to innovative options like Pumpkin Chili and Vegan Quinoa Chili, there's no shortage of mouthwatering combinations to try. Each recipe offers its unique twist, ensuring that you won't run out of inspiration anytime soon.

Making these chili dishes is more than just cooking; it’s about creating memories, gathering loved ones, and enjoying the simple pleasures of a hearty meal. With these 20 best fall chili recipes, your autumn is sure to be filled with comfort, flavor, and plenty of cozy evenings around the dinner table. Happy cooking, and enjoy the burst of seasonal flavors in every bite!