Easy Chili Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Easy chili recipes are a go-to solution for getting a comforting, satisfying meal on the table with minimal effort, whether they’re made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot.

Chili works for busy weeknights, casual entertaining, and make-ahead meals because it relies on simple ingredients, flexible cooking methods, and forgiving cook times. This roundup features dependable chili recipes that come together easily, don’t require a long ingredient list, and deliver big flavor without spending hours in the kitchen!

Easy Chili Recipes

These chili recipes are organized to help you quickly find what works best for your schedule, whether you’re cooking vegetarian, using a slow cooker, or planning ahead for the week!

5 from 2 votes

Vegetable Chili

This recipe is completely vegan and no one has ever asked me, “where’s the beef?” This is a flavorful stew with lots of warming spices (but not spicy) to fuel your internal fire and keep you feeling toasty.  I like to cook big batches of beans from scratch and freeze them for later use, but you can certainly use canned here.

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5 from 4 votes

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potatoes

This chili is really interesting because it includes a bit of sweet potato, one of my most favorite foods.  There’s a touch of cinnamon and cocoa powder which you can’t really taste, but pairs great with the chili powder.

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5 from 3 votes

Deer Valley-Style Turkey and Black Bean Chili

We all love this chili because it’s lighter than a beef chili and a totally different take on the typical red, tomato-based ones that are so common. This one is lighter and tastes fresher, perhaps because of all the delicious vegetables.

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5 from 1 vote

Mushroom Veggie Chili

A plant based take on a hearty chili, this mushroom chili is easy and delicious and you won't even miss the meat! Great for batch cooking and meal prep!

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What to Serve with Chili

A simple side makes chili feel like a complete meal without adding much work. Both of these recipes pair well with vegetarian and turkey-based chilis and are easy to prepare ahead of time!

5 from 3 votes

Super Bowl Green Chile and Cheese Cornbread

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5 from 2 votes

Cornbread (with quinoa!)

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Cozy Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe

If you give any of these easy chili recipes a try, snap a pic and tag @pamelasalzman so I can see your beautiful creations. I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a star rating and review! I have started a weekly Monday newsletter with tips, musings, new recipes not published here, fun new finds, and more. Subscribe for free here.

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