16 Unorthodox (But Awesome) Chili Recipes for Next-Level Comfort Food

How To Make Chili 15 Awesome Ways

Everyone has that chili recipe they whip up every winter, usually after they clean out their crock pot. And while this traditional bowl definitely hits the spot on a cold evening (no pun intended), it’s really nothing new. That’s why we decided to mix it up with 15 unconventional ways to make chili that are sure to blow your fuzzy socks off.

From white chicken to butternut squash chipotle, turkey to tofu, the ingredients in these tasty recipes will spice up every Sunday football and snowy evening. Plus, with vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and gluten-free options, even picky eaters can indulge.

Crock Pot Corn Asda Beer Chili

What do you get when you cross a steak taco with a bowl of chili? A king crock pot chili for a foot of half-baked cutlets is worth six hours of cooking and simmering. Despite the name, you’ll only taste a hint of beer—the recipe includes a lot of delicious ingredients you’d never guess, like apple butter and cocoa powder.

Buffalo gram and bulgur chili

For next Sunday’s football gathering, skip the messy wings in favor of a naturally flavorful buffalo chili recipe from Ella. Buffalo sauce and blue cheese make this a vegetarian comfort food dish that all your guests will enjoy.

Super healthy pumpkin turkey chili

This pumpkin-based turkey chili from Janet’s Healthy Life has lots of hidden veggies, and, according to the blogger chef, “no one would know” thanks to a nutritious, flavorful sauce made with chipotle, oregano, and tomato.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Smoky and tangy, this Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili recipe from Gabby Cooking revolves around fall’s treasured superfood — the sweet potato — and includes quinoa, tomatoes, cumin, and other balanced ingredients that make it a naturally satisfying dish. With straightforward instructions, you’ll learn how to make chili in an hour.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili with Cornbread Dumplings

Serious foodies know how to make chili! If tender pork shoulder, rich, layered sauce, and buttery beans weren’t mouth-watering enough, Morgan Eisenberg tops this sarcastic slow cooker chili with moist cornbread fritters for a tasty and totally unique recipe that you’ll forget was tackled with a traditional stew.

A pot of chili mac and cheese

Combine two great comfort foods into one stellar creation that’s sure to satisfy everyone at your dinner table. The aptly named Damn Delicious Blog makes this chili dish easy to prepare in just 30 minutes. Consider it your secret weapon for stressful days when you’re craving something delicious but too tired and hungry to spend eternity on the stove.

Tequila and lime turkey chili

This recipe looks like something you’d pour out of a shot glass — and it’s just as addictive. With a variety of chili powders, chipotle, honey, cayenne, and, yes, tequila, this chili recipe from Pixelated Crumb tastes great with tortilla chips (or a margarita!).

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Consider this white chicken chili a creamier cousin of the traditional chili for serious meals. White beans, green chiles, tender chicken breasts, and shredded cheese combine in a cool-weather stew that’s a nice change from more tomato-based chili recipes.

Triple Chocolate Meat and Bean Chili

Soup is obviously a hot food, but so is chocolate. Cocoa, semisweet chocolate, and chocolate stout beer add sweetness and depth to this beef chili. Saver An ideal cold weather meal.

Butternut Squash with Chipotle Chili Avocado

Vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free eaters alike will love this butternut squash chili recipe from Cookie & Kate. The blog even gives instructions for thinning the dish for those who want a less hearty meal.

Queso Crock Pot Chicken Chili with Roasted Corn and Jalapeños

Eaten alone or as a dip, this creative queso chicken chili recipe is “Tex Mex à la Croque Pot.” So if you love cheese, Southwest, and Mexican food, consider this chili your new go-to comfort food.

Southwest Chicken Chili

Adding corn for texture and jalapeños for zest, Laura McNamara of Simply Scratch transforms her favorite store-bought stew into chicken chili with a kick. Sprinkle some cheese, sour cream, and/or tortilla chips on this Southwestern flair.

Spicy Tofu Chili

Since meat eaters shouldn’t be the only ones enjoying chili on a football Sunday, Little Green Mom whipped up this spicy tofu chili for vegetarians. When cooked according to directions, tofu takes on a sweet texture that a hungry football fan will appreciate.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This “Best Turkey Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Taste” proves that hearty dishes can be nutritious when prepared the right way. A cup of this sweet and spicy stew clocks in at 264 calories with 40 grams of protein!

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Also known as “skyline chili,” a Cincinnati chili is usually served over pasta and may include hot spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This crock pot Cincinnati chili from Spruce Eight is slow-cooked for six to eight hours and served layered over spaghetti.