Kelsey Perez
There’s something about the first crisp October evening that makes us all simultaneously reach for our favorite chili recipe. Maybe it’s because chili is basically liquid comfort food, or perhaps it’s the way a simmering pot fills your house with those warm, spicy aromas that scream “fall is officially here.” Whatever the reason, chili season is upon us, and honestly, we couldn’t be more excited.
This collection of 23 fall chili recipes celebrates everything we love about autumn cooking—seasonal vegetables, warming spices, and that soul-satisfying feeling that comes from a bowl of something hearty and homemade. From classic comfort food that’ll remind you of childhood to creative twists that showcase the season’s best produce, these recipes will keep you cozy from September through December. So grab your biggest pot, stock up on beans, and let’s dive into chili season with all the enthusiasm it deserves.
Easy Pumpkin Chili
Let’s start with the recipe that basically embodies fall in a bowl. This pumpkin chili isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s just taking everything we love about classic chili and adding that gorgeous orange vegetable that makes October feel official.
The genius of this recipe is how subtly the pumpkin integrates into the familiar chili flavors. You’re not eating pumpkin soup masquerading as chili; instead, the purée adds body and a gentle sweetness that plays beautifully with ground beef, kidney beans, and all those classic chili spices. The pumpkin makes the whole thing feel a little lighter and more nutritious while still delivering that stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction we crave when the weather turns cool.
What makes this so perfectly fall is how it transforms the season’s signature ingredient into something savory and substantial. The pumpkin purée blends seamlessly with the tomatoes and spices, creating this rich, velvety base that tastes like autumn comfort food at its finest.
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Forget everything you think you know about chili being red and tomato-based. This white chicken chili is like chili’s sophisticated cousin who went to culinary school and came back with some serious skills.
The base starts with tender chicken (rotisserie works perfectly), white beans, and corn, all swimming in a rich, creamy broth that gets its body from a clever trick—puréeing some of the beans right back into the pot. Green chiles add that essential kick, while cumin and lime juice bring brightness that keeps the whole thing from feeling too heavy. The finishing touch of sour cream and fresh cilantro makes every bowl feel like a celebration.
What makes this so fall-appropriate is how it delivers all the comfort and warmth we want from chili but in a lighter, brighter package that doesn’t weigh you down. It’s the kind of chili that makes you feel cozy but not comatose.
Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili
This chili is what happens when butternut squash decides to show off, and honestly, we’re here for it. The squash cubes hold their shape while adding this incredible natural sweetness that balances perfectly with ground turkey and warming spices.
The magic happens when you dice the butternut squash into perfect half-inch cubes that cook just until tender, creating these little pockets of autumn sweetness throughout the chili. Ground turkey keeps things lean while black beans add protein and that satisfying chili texture. The spice blend—chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and oregano—creates layers of flavor that build with every bite.
This screams fall because butternut squash is autumn’s superstar vegetable, and this recipe lets it shine while still creating something that feels like traditional chili. The subtle sweetness and gorgeous orange color make every bowl feel like eating the season.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones, and swapping meat for sweet potatoes in chili? Pure genius. This vegetarian version is so hearty and satisfying, even the most dedicated carnivores won’t miss the meat.
Diced sweet potatoes become incredibly creamy and sweet as they simmer, creating this beautiful contrast with earthy black beans and smoky spices like chipotle and cumin. The sweet potatoes break down slightly as they cook, naturally thickening the chili and adding body without any dairy or weird thickeners. Fire-roasted tomatoes bring acidity and depth, while a final squeeze of lime brightens everything up.
What makes this perfect for fall is how sweet potatoes are having their moment right now, and this recipe showcases them in a completely unexpected but absolutely delicious way. It’s proof that vegetarian chili can be every bit as satisfying as the meat versions.
Fall Harvest Chili with Ground Turkey
This chili is basically autumn in a bowl—packed with sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, and pumpkin purée, all simmered with lean ground turkey and warming spices. It’s like eating the entire farmers market, but in the best possible way.
The genius is in the combination of seasonal vegetables that each contribute something different—sweet potatoes for natural sweetness and substance, carrots for extra nutrition and color, corn for pops of sweetness and texture, and pumpkin purée to tie everything together with that distinctly fall flavor. Ground turkey keeps it healthy while still providing satisfying protein.
This is fall comfort food because it celebrates all the vegetables that are at their peak right now, creating something that tastes like harvest time and feels like a warm hug. It’s the kind of chili that makes you feel good about eating vegetables.
Classic Beef Chili with Bacon
Sometimes you need chili that doesn’t mess around, and this award-winning version delivers exactly that. Starting with crispy bacon sets the stage for something special, and the long list of ingredients creates complexity that makes every spoonful interesting.
The secret is building layers of flavor—bacon fat for cooking vegetables, a carefully balanced spice blend that includes both regular and ancho chili powder, and a combination of beans that create the perfect texture. Beer adds depth, while a touch of brown sugar balances the heat. The result is chili that tastes like it’s been simmering all day even though it only takes 30 minutes of active cooking.
What makes this fall-perfect is how it delivers all the warming comfort we crave when the weather turns cool. It’s the kind of chili that makes you want to invite everyone over and spend the evening around the table with good friends and cold beer.
Spiced Fall Chili with Pumpkin Pie Spice
This chili takes the classic beef and bean combination and gives it a distinctly autumn personality with the addition of pumpkin pie spice. It sounds crazy, but trust the process—this combination is absolutely magical.
Ground beef and Italian sausage create a rich, meaty base while kidney beans and black beans add substance and fiber. But the real star is that half-teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice that adds warmth and complexity without making it taste like dessert. Combined with traditional chili spices, it creates something that’s both familiar and surprising.
This screams fall because it takes the warm spices we associate with pumpkin pie and applies them to savory cooking in a way that feels totally natural. It’s comfort food with a seasonal twist that makes every bowl feel special.
Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado
This vegetarian chili is all about balance—sweet butternut squash, smoky chipotle peppers, earthy black beans, and creamy avocado all working together to create something absolutely spectacular.
The butternut squash gets diced and sautéed until just tender, adding natural sweetness that plays beautifully against the smokiness of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Black beans provide protein and that essential chili heartiness, while red bell peppers add color and crunch. The genius finishing touch is diced avocado that adds richness and coolness to balance the heat.
What makes this perfect for fall is how it showcases butternut squash in a completely savory context while creating something that satisfies vegans, carnivores, and gluten-free eaters alike. It’s proof that vegetarian food can be absolutely spectacular.
White Chicken Chili Verde
This chili takes the white chicken chili concept and gives it a Mexican twist with salsa verde and poblano peppers. It’s bright, flavorful, and has just enough heat to warm you from the inside out.
Chicken gets slow-cooked until tender and shreddable, then combined with white beans, corn, and green chiles in a broth that’s enriched with cream cheese for richness. The salsa verde adds tangy, herbal flavors that brighten everything up, while poblano peppers contribute smoky heat that isn’t overwhelming. Fresh cilantro and lime finish it off beautifully.
This is fall comfort food because it delivers all the warming satisfaction of chili but with bright, fresh flavors that keep it from feeling too heavy for those still-warm autumn days.
Autumn Harvest Turkey Chili
This bean-free chili celebrates fall vegetables in all their glory—sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, and pumpkin purée combined with lean ground turkey and warming spices. It’s like eating the entire autumn harvest in one satisfying bowl.
The beauty is in how each vegetable contributes something different—grated carrots add nutrition and natural sweetness, cubed sweet potatoes provide substance and creamy texture, corn brings pops of sweetness, and pumpkin purée ties everything together with that quintessential fall flavor. The lack of beans makes it feel lighter while still being incredibly satisfying.
What makes this so fall-appropriate is how it celebrates all the seasonal produce that’s at its peak right now, creating something that tastes like autumn and feels both healthy and indulgent.
Mexican-Spiced Autumn Chili
This chili combines traditional Mexican flavors with seasonal beer and fresh jalapeños for something that’s both familiar and exciting. It’s got enough spice to warm you up but enough complexity to keep things interesting.
The spice blend includes cumin, chili powder, and paprika, while masa harina flour helps thicken the chili and adds authentic Mexican flavor. Seasonal beer (think Oktoberfest styles) adds depth and maltiness that complements the spices beautifully. Fresh jalapeños provide heat that you can control based on your tolerance.
This screams fall because it incorporates seasonal beer and warming spices in a way that feels perfect for cooler weather. It’s comfort food with a passport that makes any evening feel festive.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Sometimes you need chili that basically makes itself, and this slow cooker version delivers exactly that. Throw everything in the morning, come home to incredible aromas, and dinner is ready.
Chicken breasts cook low and slow until they’re fall-apart tender, then get shredded and stirred back into a creamy base of white beans, corn, and green chiles. The slow cooking process melds all the flavors beautifully while requiring almost no hands-on time. Masa harina helps thicken everything to perfect consistency.
What makes this perfect for fall is how it fills your house with incredible aromas all day long, creating that cozy atmosphere we all crave when the weather turns cool. It’s comfort food that basically makes itself.
Vegan Butternut Squash Chili
This plant-based chili proves that you don’t need meat to create something absolutely spectacular. Butternut squash, poblano peppers, and black beans create a combination that’s both hearty and sophisticated.
The magic happens when butternut squash gets sautéed until just tender, adding natural sweetness that balances beautifully with smoky chipotle powder and earthy cumin. Poblano peppers add heat and complexity, while black beans provide protein and that essential chili heartiness. Cherry tomatoes and apple cider vinegar brighten everything up.
This is fall perfection because it showcases butternut squash—autumn’s superstar vegetable—in a way that creates something satisfying for everyone, regardless of dietary preferences.
Beer-Braised Autumn Chili
This chili gets its distinctive flavor from being braised with good beer, which adds depth and maltiness that makes every spoonful more complex and interesting.
Ground beef forms the hearty base, while kidney beans and black beans add substance and fiber. But the real genius is the beer, which gets added after browning the meat and vegetables, creating a rich braising liquid that concentrates as it simmers. The result is chili with incredible depth of flavor that tastes like it’s been cooking all day.
What makes this so fall-appropriate is how beer feels right for cooler weather, and the long, slow cooking process fills your house with those incredible aromas that make autumn evenings so special.
Smoky Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
This chili combines lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes and smoky spices for something that’s both healthy and incredibly satisfying. The smokiness comes from smoked paprika and chipotle peppers, which add complexity without overwhelming heat.
Sweet potatoes get diced and cooked until just tender, adding natural sweetness and gorgeous color to the chili. Ground turkey keeps things lean while still providing satisfying protein, and the combination of black beans and fire-roasted tomatoes creates the perfect texture and acidity balance.
This screams fall because sweet potatoes are having their moment, and the smoky spices create that warming sensation we crave when the weather starts to cool.
Harvest Moon Chili with Three Beans
This vegetarian chili celebrates beans in all their glory—kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans create incredible texture and protein while vegetables add nutrition and flavor.
The genius is in the combination of three different beans, each contributing something different to the final dish. Diced vegetables—onions, bell peppers, carrots—provide aromatic base flavors, while fire-roasted tomatoes add depth and smokiness. Warm spices including cumin, chili powder, and a touch of cinnamon create complexity that builds with every bite.
What makes this perfect for fall is how it creates something incredibly satisfying using pantry staples and seasonal vegetables, proving that vegetarian cooking can be both economical and absolutely delicious.
Maple Bourbon Turkey Chili
This sophisticated chili gets its distinctive flavor from a splash of bourbon and a touch of maple syrup, which add depth and subtle sweetness without making it taste like cocktail hour.
Ground turkey provides lean protein while beans and vegetables add substance and nutrition. The bourbon gets added early in the cooking process, allowing the alcohol to cook off while leaving behind rich, complex flavors. Just a touch of maple syrup balances the acidity of the tomatoes and adds that distinctly fall flavor profile.
This is fall sophistication in a bowl—it takes familiar chili flavors and elevates them with ingredients that feel distinctly seasonal and grown-up.
Roasted Vegetable and Lentil Chili
This hearty vegetarian chili starts by roasting the vegetables, which concentrates their flavors and adds incredible depth to the final dish. Combined with protein-rich lentils, it’s substantial enough to satisfy anyone.
Butternut squash, bell peppers, and onions get roasted until caramelized and slightly charred, then added to a base of simmered lentils and fire-roasted tomatoes. The roasting step adds smokiness and complexity that makes this taste like it’s been cooking for hours, even though it comes together relatively quickly.
What makes this so fall-appropriate is how roasting vegetables feels like the perfect autumn cooking technique, and the combination of seasonal produce with hearty lentils creates something that’s both nutritious and deeply satisfying.
Spicy Autumn Chili with Dark Chocolate
This chili takes the classic beef and bean combination and adds a secret ingredient that elevates everything—a small amount of dark chocolate that adds richness and depth without making it taste like dessert.
The chocolate gets added along with the spices, melting into the base and adding this incredible richness that makes every spoonful more complex. Combined with traditional chili ingredients like ground beef, beans, and tomatoes, plus warming spices like cumin and chili powder, it creates something that’s both familiar and surprising.
This screams fall because chocolate feels more appropriate in cooler weather, and the richness it adds creates that stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction we crave when the temperature drops.
Creamy Corn and Poblano Turkey Chili
This chili takes a different approach by highlighting corn and poblano peppers, creating something that’s both comforting and bright. The creaminess comes from puréed corn, which adds natural sweetness and body.
Ground turkey keeps things lean while poblano peppers add heat and complexity. Some of the corn gets puréed to create natural creaminess and body, while the rest stays whole for texture. White beans add protein and substance, while lime and cilantro brighten everything up at the end.
What makes this perfect for fall is how corn is having its final moment before winter, and poblano peppers add that warming heat that feels right for cooler evenings.
Mushroom and White Bean Autumn Chili
This vegetarian chili celebrates mushrooms in all their earthy glory, combined with white beans and seasonal vegetables for something that’s both hearty and sophisticated.
A mix of mushrooms—cremini, shiitake, and oyster—gets sautéed until golden and most of their moisture has evaporated, concentrating their flavors. Combined with white beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and warming spices, they create a chili that’s rich and satisfying without any meat. Fresh herbs add brightness and complexity.
This is fall comfort food because mushrooms are having their seasonal moment, and their earthy flavors feel perfect for autumn’s more sophisticated comfort food cravings.
Chorizo and Sweet Potato Chili
This chili gets its distinctive flavor from spicy chorizo, which adds heat and incredible depth of flavor to complement sweet potatoes and black beans.
The chorizo gets browned first, creating a flavorful base and rendering fat that gets used to cook the vegetables. Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness and gorgeous color, while black beans provide protein and that essential chili texture. The combination of spicy, sweet, and earthy creates something absolutely irresistible.
What makes this so fall-appropriate is how it combines the warming heat of chorizo with the natural sweetness of peak-season sweet potatoes, creating something that feels both comforting and exciting.
Indian-Spiced Butternut Squash Chili
This fusion chili takes butternut squash and gives it an Indian-inspired spice treatment with garam masala, turmeric, and ginger for something that’s completely unexpected but absolutely delicious.
Butternut squash gets combined with red lentils and chickpeas in a base flavored with warming Indian spices. Coconut milk adds richness and helps mellow the heat, while fire-roasted tomatoes provide acidity and depth. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime brighten everything up at the end.
This screams fall because it takes seasonal squash and transforms it into something exotic and warming, proving that chili doesn’t have to follow traditional rules to be absolutely spectacular.
