Chili Recipes to Warm Up on a Cold Night

Chili is the quintessential comfort food for chilly nights. Rich, satisfying and infinitely customizable, this savory sensation has earned its place in the hearts (and stomachs) of people everywhere.

The dish is also a crowd pleaser thanks to the endless customized toppings you can offer. Here’s some inspiration to get you started:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Diced onions
• Salsa
• Crushed tortilla chips or crackers
• Chives or scallions
• Chopped bacon
• Grilled chorizo
• Diced bell peppers
• Sliced avocado
• Roasted or grilled vegetables
• Grilled or sautéed mushrooms
• Fresh cilantro

But that’s not all. You can get creative with your chili recipes themselves. Check out these options featuring both timeless favorites and fresh interpretations to inspire your next culinary adventure. Which one will your family decide is the best chili recipe?

EASY CHILI RECIPE

We had you at “easy,” didn’t we? This presentation is truly as streamlined as it gets—lean ground beef, combined with one can each of diced tomatoes and kidney beans, then zested up with a package of McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix. Not only does this recipe boast a short ingredient list, but it has an equally brief cooking time—a mere 10 minutes once you’ve browned the meat.

SIMPLE CHILI

Even the cook gets a chance to chill(i), thanks to the easy prep of this classic homemade chili. No last-minute grocery store runs needed here as this easy chili recipe primarily uses pantry staples, with a package of McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix offering a balanced blend of spices with minimal effort.

ALL-AMERICAN CHILI

For those who prefer building their own flavor profile, this version swaps the all-in-one packet for individual spices. It’s nothing too crazy—McCormick Chili Powder, McCormick Ground Cumin, McCormick Oregano Leaves and McCormick Garlic Salt—but the ability to balance as you please gives you complete control so you can adjust the heat to your preferences.

SLOW COOKER CHILI RECIPE

Here you’ll use the same reliable chili ingredients of beef, beans and tomatoes, but offload the labor to your trusty slow cooker. By starting it in the morning, you’ll step into a house filled with a delicious aroma and the peace of knowing that a sturdy, protein-packed dinner is waiting and ready to serve after your long day.

EASY TEXAS CHILI

For a Texas-style approach, cubed beef chuck replaces ground meat, creating substantial, fork-tender pieces that soak up the robust taste of McCormick Tex-Mex Chili Seasoning Mix during a long simmer. Make no beans about it (literally, there are no beans!)…while it’s an easy chili recipe, it still offers a little extra panache.

CORN CHIP CHILI PIE

This crowd-pleaser layers ground beef chili with cheddar cheese and corn chips for a “frito” pie-inspired experience that's part casserole, part nacho bar. The simple base of seasoned beef, kidney beans and tomato sauce becomes the canvas for an interactive experience with endless toppings—sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce…whatever strikes your fancy.

WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI

And now for the “polar” opposite of traditional chili, we step into the lighter (whiter!) side of chili. This robust option comes together with your favorite white meat and white beans, enhanced with McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning Mix. Keep the theme going by garnishing your white chicken chili with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of white cheese (try white cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack) or add a colorful contrast with vibrant avocado and tomato.

CREAMY SLOW COOKER WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Here’s another take on the white theme that uses a slow cooker, then kicks it up a creamy notch with a blended cream cheese sauce. A vibrant mix of corn and bell peppers bathe in chicken stock to create an all-in-one delight.

TORTILLA CHICKEN CHILI

This chicken chili brings south-of-the-border flair through cubed meat, Mexican-style corn and tortilla chips that add a playful crunch. The quick cooking time keeps weeknight cooking breezy, yielding a lively bowl that feels festive without demanding too much work or hard-to-find ingredients.

INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHILI

Chili recipes don’t have to mean meat. This Instant Pot vegetarian chili comes together in just seven minutes of pressure cooking, packing sweet potato, black beans and colorful bell peppers into a nourishing, plant-based bowl. Frozen corn and canned tomatoes make prep nearly effortless, while McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix ensures flavor without any guesswork.

CHILI MAC RECIPE

Your family will cheer for this one-pot wonder that delivers nostalgia in a wholesome bowl. Chili mac merges two comfort food classics as you add elbow macaroni directly into seasoned beef chili enriched with beef broth and tomato paste. Bell peppers and onions add sweetness and crunch, while cheddar cheese melts into the finished dish for creamy, satisfying spoonfuls.