When the temperature drops and everyone starts hovering near the stove, chili is my answer to just about everything. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd, forgiving enough to stretch with whatever you have in the pantry, and honestly one of those meals that makes the whole house smell like you’ve been cooking all day — even when you haven’t. I’ve been making chili in every format imaginable: in the air fryer when I need dinner fast, in the slow cooker when I want it to practically cook itself, and in the Instant Pot when I need something hands-off but still packed with real flavor. This roundup pulls together my absolute favorites — from thick, meaty steakhouse copycats to a smoky pulled pork version that will completely change how you think about chili night. Whether you’re a beans-in, beans-out, stovetop, or crockpot kind of cook, there’s something here for you. Grab your biggest soup bowls — these recipes are worth it.
1. Culver’s George’s Chili Copycat Recipe
If you’ve ever had a bowl of George’s Chili at Culver’s, you know it hits differently — thick, meaty, and rich in a way that feels like it simmered all afternoon. This copycat nails that signature consistency using dark red kidney beans, tomato paste, and a slow-simmer method that builds real depth of flavor. It’s the kind of Midwest comfort food that belongs in your regular rotation.
2. Air Fryer Chili (No Stovetop)
Yes, you can make real chili in the air fryer — start to finish, no stovetop, no Dutch oven, and no waiting around. The beef browns, the onions soften, and the sauce thickens up in about 35 minutes, which makes it a genuinely useful weeknight dinner rather than a novelty. This one is on my regular rotation for busy nights when I still want something that actually tastes like it took effort.
3. Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Chili
This one has that slightly sweet, smoky diner flavor that’s hard to find anywhere but the restaurant itself — until now. I love serving it over spaghetti for a classic chili mac, or loading it up with diced onions and a mountain of shredded cheese. It tastes even better the next day, which makes it one of my favorite meal-prep wins of the week.
4. McCormick Chili Recipe (Back-of-Packet Directions + Crockpot, Slow Cooker & More)
There is absolutely no shame in starting with a seasoning packet — especially when dinner needs to happen fast. This guide walks you through the back-of-packet basics and then shows you a few small upgrades that take it from good to something your family will specifically ask for again. It’s the weeknight default that earns its spot in the rotation.
5. Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
If you’ve ever sat down at Texas Roadhouse and found yourself scraping the bottom of that chili bowl, this copycat is going to make your week. It’s thick, meaty, and packed with that bold steakhouse spice blend that keeps everyone coming back for more. I love making this one for game day — it feeds a crowd and disappears fast.
6. Easy Instant Pot Chili No Beans
For the nights when you want a hearty, satisfying bowl without the beans, this Instant Pot version is a total lifesaver. The pressure cooker does the heavy lifting, infusing the meat with deep, savory flavor in a fraction of the time a stovetop simmer would take. It’s naturally low-carb and always a massive hit — even with the bean lovers in my house.
7. Copycat Tim Hortons Chili Recipe
This one captures everything you love about Tim Hortons’ rich, comforting chili — the ground beef, the kidney beans, the perfectly balanced spice blend — right in your own kitchen. I make it in the Instant Pot to keep it quick and hands-off, which is exactly what I need on a hectic weeknight. It’s the kind of recipe that’s just as good for meal prep as it is fresh off the stove.
8. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it chili — tender pulled pork, bold spices, and hearty beans all slow-cooking together into something deeply smoky and satisfying. The slow cooker gives everything time to meld in a way that a stovetop version just can’t replicate. Serve it with a thick slice of cornbread and you’ve got a dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
