When the weather turns cold, nothing beats a big bowl of homemade chili. These five easy chili recipes cover every kind of night: a classic one-pot beef chili for Sunday, an air fryer chili when you need dinner fast, a slow cooker chili that cooks itself, a keto chili without beans, and a Cincinnati-style chili to spoon over spaghetti.
Each one is a family favorite here at Fork To Spoon, and each uses a different appliance, so you can pick the one that fits your schedule and your kitchen.
1. Pioneer Woman Chili (Easy One-Pot Beef Chili)
If you want the classic, this is it. This Pioneer Woman Chili is a thick, hearty beef chili with pinto and kidney beans, tomatoes, and warm spices, all made in one pot on the stovetop.
The secret is masa harina: a quick slurry stirred in at the end gives it that rich, ranch-style texture. Toasting the chili powder and cumin with the beef before adding the liquid builds deep flavor.
Why make it: It’s the best homemade chili for game day, potlucks, and feeding a crowd.
2. Air Fryer Chili (No Stovetop)
Yes, you can make real chili in the air fryer. This Air Fryer Chili cooks ground beef, black beans, corn, and tomato sauce in one pan in about 35 minutes, with no stovetop and no Dutch oven.
The spices bloom right along with the beef, which is the biggest flavor boost in a short-cook chili. For a full meal, top it with corn muffin batter and air fry until golden for a built-in cornbread crust.
Why make it: It’s the fastest chili here, perfect for busy weeknights and small kitchens.
3. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker chili. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili starts with a pork shoulder roast seasoned with chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, and a little dark cocoa powder, then slow-cooks with tomatoes, green chilies, kidney beans, and black beans until the pork shreds.
A touch of liquid smoke gives it a deep, smoky flavor that tastes like it simmered over a fire all day.
Why make it: It’s a hands-off chili for busy days, and it’s a nice change from ground beef.
4. Easy Instant Pot Chili No Beans (Keto)
For a hearty bowl without the beans, this Easy Instant Pot Chili No Beans is a lifesaver. Brown the ground beef right in the Instant Pot on sauté, add the tomatoes and spices, and pressure cook for about 10 minutes.
Skipping the beans makes it a bean-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly chili that’s still thick and meaty.
Why make it: It’s the best chili without beans for keto eaters, Texas-style chili fans, and anyone who wants dinner fast.
5. Instant Pot Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati chili is a different kind of chili: a silky, warmly spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti and buried under finely shredded cheddar. This Instant Pot Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili gets you there in a fraction of the usual time.
The trick is not browning the beef. The raw ground beef goes straight into the pot with the onion, garlic, and tomato sauce and gets broken up finely, which gives the sauce its signature smooth texture.
Why make it: Serve it over spaghetti, spoon it over hot dogs, or toss it with elbow macaroni for chili mac.
Tips for the Best Homemade Chili
- Bloom your spices: Stir chili powder and cumin into the browned meat for a minute before adding liquids. It wakes up the flavor.
- Don’t drain the beans’ flavor away: If a recipe calls for undrained beans, the liquid helps thicken the pot.
- Thicken smart: A masa harina slurry, like in the Pioneer Woman chili, thickens chili and adds a subtle corn flavor.
- Make it ahead: Chili tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld.
- Taste at the end: Adjust salt, chili powder, and heat right before serving.
Chili Toppings and Leftover Ideas
Favorite toppings: Shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, or oyster crackers.
Leftover chili ideas:
- Spoon it over hot dogs, tater tots, or fries for chili cheese coneys. For a smooth, no-bean coney sauce, try my Copycat Sonic Chili.
- Toss it with elbow macaroni and cheese for quick chili mac.
- Fill baked potatoes and top with cheese and sour cream.
Love restaurant-style chili? Make a pot of my Instant Pot Wendy’s Chili or Texas Roadhouse Chili at home.
Chili Recipe FAQs
What’s the easiest chili recipe for beginners? The Air Fryer Chili is the simplest: one pan, no stovetop, and about 35 minutes from start to finish.
Can I make chili without beans? Yes. Easy Instant Pot Chili No Beans is meaty, keto-friendly, and low-carb. You can also leave the beans out of most chili recipes and add a little extra meat.
How do I thicken chili? Simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes, or stir in a slurry of masa harina and warm water, as in the Pioneer Woman Chili.
What’s the difference between Cincinnati chili and regular chili? Cincinnati chili is a thinner, warmly spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs, while regular chili is a thick stew usually eaten from a bowl.
How long does chili last in the fridge? Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze chili? Yes. Cool it completely and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
