Looking for ways to make chili? Wait until you try these incredible chili recipes that are super easy to make and taste delicious!

I am a HUGE fan of chili.

Love to eat it.

Love to make it.

And love when others make it for me!

So when my supper club and I decided to host a chili cook-off party this month, I was all about it!

The other day, we shared some entertaining and table decor ideas, and today, we are each sharing our best chili recipes.

Wait until you try these flavorful recipes for chili.

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

About My Supper Club

We’ve been having a great time with our supper club and this month we are getting together for a Mexican theme chili cook-off party.

If you are coming from Rachel’s at the Ponds Farmhouse, welcome to my home. I’m thrilled you dropped by.

In case you are new here, I’m Stacy, a self-taught master gardener who lives and gardens in northern New Jersey, zone 6a.

We recently moved to a beautiful 1850 Farmhouse with 10 acres of gardens, sculptures and statues.

I’ve been gardening for over 20 years and enjoy helping beginner gardeners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. I love to bring the outdoors inside my home too.

I hope you enjoy visiting my home today and hope you come back so we can grow stuff and create beautiful spaces together.

close up of mexican theme party table that is ready for a chili cook off party with turkey chili, and all the toppings that include biscuits, sour cream, corn muffins, guacamole, shredded cheddar, avocadoes and mango salsa.
Bricks ‘n Blooms

What Is the Secret to Making Good Chili?

There are many factors that can contribute to making a good chili, and while everyone’s tastes may vary, there are some things tips to keep in mind.

Here is what you need to know to make a good chili recipe.

  • Use quality ingredients.
  • Build layers of flavor.
  • Use a variety of chili peppers.
  • Cook it low and slow.
  • Add in some acidity with a splash of lime juice to brighten the flavor
  • Taste and adjust as you go.
tasting turkey chili healthy easy recipe with toppings on the side

What is the Best Thing to Put in Chili?

Chili is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s a hearty and filling meal that’s perfect for cold winter nights or for feeding a crowd. The great thing about chili is that there are countless recipes to choose from, so you can find one that suits your taste buds and dietary preferences.

Some of the most popular chili recipes include:

  • Beef
  • Vegetarian
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Black Bean
  • White Bean

These are just a few examples of the many different types of chili recipes that are available. But you can also experiment with adding different ingredients and spices to create your own unique chili recipe.

adding the toppings to turkey chili healthy recipe in yellow bowl

Should Chili Be Thick or Soupy?

Whether chili should be thick or soupy is a matter of personal preference, and there is no right or wrong answer. Some people prefer their chili to be thick and hearty, while others prefer it to be more soupy and liquidy.

Traditionally, chili is thick and stew-like. This type of chili is often made with a base of meat and vegetables that are simmered together with a thickener like flour or cornmeal. The end result is a chili that is thick, hearty, and rich with a meaty flavor.

However, some people prefer their chili to be more soupy and liquidy, with a thinner consistency that is similar to a soup or a broth. This type of chili is often made with a base of beans and tomatoes that are simmered together with spices and seasonings to create a flavorful broth.

My recipe for turkey chili is made with canned diced tomatoes and canned black beans. I don’t drain the tomatoes at all. But drain some of the liquid off the beans so it’s less soupy. As it cooks down, it becomes more stew-like.

recipe for healthy turkey chili with toppings that include shredded cheddar, sour cream, guacamole, mango salsa, red pepper and buscuits. Turkey chili is served in yellow bowl with toppings.

What is the Best Liquid for Chili?

The best liquid for chili depends on the type of chili you are making and your personal preference. Usually, chili cooks slowly on low, so there needs to be enough liquid in the pot to keep the meat from drying out. But that liquid should also add flavor to the chili too.

Here are some options for liquids you can use in chili:

  • Water (if you don’t have anything else).
  • Broth
  • Beer
  • Canned Diced Tomatoes
  • Canned Bean Liquid
  • Combination of liquids

When choosing a liquid for your chili, it is important to consider the overall flavor profile you are trying to achieve. Always taste your recipe as you are making it and adjust the dish as needed.

removing lid on healthy turkey chili with toppings in ramekins on the side like mango salsa, shredded cheddar, corn muffins and sour cream and avocados on red buffalo check table cloth

The Best Chili Recipes

If you are looking for some yummy chili recipes, wait until you try these flavorful dishes that we prepared for our supper club’s chili cook-off party.

I’ve been making the same chili recipe for years, so I’m ready to change things up with some different takes on it.

Some Like it Hot: Nashville Hot Chicken Chili

My good friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms made this SUPER TASTY Nashville hot chicken chili that is to die for!

It sounds easy to make and looks totally delicious.

I can’t wait to make this one. I’ve never made chili with chicken before so this one is a must-try for me.

nashville hot chicken chili recipe in a black pot by simply 2 moms

Easy Winter Recipe for Crock Pot Chili

My good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse shared her recipe for easy crock pot chili recipe.

Have you ever made chili in a crock pot before?

It’s super simple to do and is much easier to prepare as it cooks low and slow all day long! So I can’t wait to try her recipe to add to my rotation.

crock pot chili by the ponds farmhouse served in a white bowl

Easy Turkey Chili Healthy Recipe

My contribution to our chili cook-off party is my go-to easy turkey chili recipe.

It’s low in calories and you can tweak it however you like. I never make this chili the same way twice so this is a base recipe that you can adjust with vegetables and other spices to your liking.

But the best part?

It’s even better when you include a variety of toppings.

close up of easy turkey chili healthy recipe with salsa, onions, guacamole, scallions and sour cream

Easy White Bean Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe

My good friend Michele from Vintage Home Designs shared her favorite recipe for white bean chicken chili that’s super simple to make in the crockpot!

Have you had white bean chili before?

I don’t usually gravitate to making it, but I do really enjoy and should add it to my rotation.

Especially since this white bean chili recipe is made in the crockpot!

white chicken chili served in a black bowl by vintage home designs

White Chicken Chili On The Grill

When I saw my good friend Regina from Saved from Salvage was making white chicken chili on the grill I have to admit I was intrigued.

I’ve never made chili on the grill before, have you?

This is a recipe I am making very soon. It sounds delish!

saved from salvage white chicken chili that was made on the grill

Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili

My good friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style shared her best recipe for an easy slow cooker shredded beef chili that sounds AMAZING.

Slow cooker anything gets me every time.

I’m always looking for a good reason to use my crockpot and this recipe sounds like a good one to make in it!

easy slow cooker shredded beef chili by midwest life and style

And that’s it!

Next up in our supper club rotation is my good friend Michele from Vintage Home Designs.

More About Chili Recipes

Did you have a favorite recipe from this post you’d try? Or do you have a favorite chili recipe that you love to make? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it on the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

farmhouse kitchen with white painted cabinets and granite counter top

Pin It to Remember It Later

best chili recipes
6 Best Chili Recipes

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed
The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 Comments

  1. It’s soooo cold out I was just thinking about making chili today! I’m obsessed with your corn muffin tops too.

  2. I am a huge fan of chili too! It is my fave and a go-to here in our house during the fall and winter months. I can’t wait to try each recipe. They all look so good!