25 Chili Recipes For When September Feels Like November

September can be weird. One day you’re using up the last of the garden zucchini and tomatoes, and the next it feels like winter is around the corner. For those days, chili makes the perfect dinner. A big pot on the stove or slow cooker fills the house with rich aromas and takes the edge off a chilly night. These recipes range from quick weeknight options to slow-simmered favorites that let you kick back while they cook. Stock up on beans and spices and let a steaming bowl do the heavy lifting when the weather can’t make up its mind.

One Pot Game Day Chili

This one-pot chili builds big flavor with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup. Ground meat, beans, tomatoes, and spices simmer together until thick and hearty. It’s an easy way to feed a hungry crowd on a chilly September day that already feels like midwinter, and leftovers reheat beautifully for the next round of games.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Game Day Chili

Kabocha Squash Chili

Kabocha squash adds a nutty, slightly sweet note to this slow-cooked vegetarian chili. The squash breaks down just enough to thicken the sauce while still holding its shape. It’s an excellent way to use seasonal produce for a meal that’s hearty and comforting on a cold evening.
Get the Recipe: Kabocha Squash Chili

Chocolate Lamb Chili

Chunks of lamb stew meat simmer with beans, spices, and a touch of chocolate for a rich, mole-style flavor. The slow cook time allows the lamb to turn tender and the chocolate to deepen the sauce. It’s a bold, unexpected take that feels right for nights when fall weather is unrelenting.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lamb Chili

Turkey Chili Pie

A skillet of lean turkey chili is topped with cornbread batter and baked until golden. The cornbread soaks up the chili beneath it, creating a hearty one-pan dinner. It’s a smart way to get the comfort of chili and cornbread together when cold weather moves in early.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

This creamy chili mixes shredded chicken with white beans, apples, and plenty of cheddar. The apples add a subtle sweetness while the cheese melts into a rich base. It’s a slightly offbeat but hearty dish that works well when September evenings call for something cozy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

Hummus blends into the sauce to give this turkey chili a creamy texture and mellow heat. It’s a one-pot dinner that cooks into a thick, rich bowl of comfort, great for when the first real chill of the season settles in.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

Short Rib Chili

Beef short ribs slowly braise with porter beer, beans, and spices until they’re fall-apart tender. The long cook time creates a deep, hearty flavor that only improves overnight. Make a big batch to enjoy now and freeze for the next round of cold weather.
Get the Recipe: Short Rib Chili

White Chili with Ground Chicken

Ground chicken, white beans, and sour cream create a creamy base that comes together in about 40 minutes. The mild spice and rich texture make it a smart choice for nights when you want dinner ready fast but still crave something that feels slow-simmered. It’s a reliable weeknight meal when fall weather starts to bite early.
Get the Recipe: White Chili with Ground Chicken

Wagyu Beef Chili

American wagyu beef and ground pork simmer with homemade chili powder and bold spices for a deep, hearty flavor. The rich meat gives every bite extra depth while a long simmer lets the spices meld. It’s a standout option when September evenings call for something more robust than the usual weeknight chili.
Get the Recipe: Wagyu Beef Chili

Tempeh Chili

This meatless chili packs serious substance with tempeh, beans, and plenty of vegetables. The high protein and fiber content keep it filling, while a long simmer builds rich flavor that doesn’t rely on meat. It’s a smart pick when you want a plant-based dinner that feels big enough to warm you on a raw, cold night.
Get the Recipe: Tempeh Chili

Vegetarian Bean Chili

Three kinds of beans join vegetables and spices to make a hearty vegetarian chili that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. A slow simmer brings everything together into a thick, comforting meal. It’s proof that a meatless dinner can keep everyone full when the weather feels like it’s skipped straight to November.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Bean Chili

Classic Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Ground turkey, two types of beans, tomatoes, and green chilies cook all day in the slow cooker until they become a rich, hearty dinner. The gentle heat blends the spices while you go about your day. It’s perfect for a cold snap when you want to come home to something ready to ladle into bowls.
Get the Recipe: Classic Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Southwest Style Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Ground beef, roasted green chilies, and fire-roasted tomatoes give this chili a bold Southwestern edge. Let it cook low and slow so the spices deepen and the beans turn tender. It’s a great way to warm up on a chilly evening without spending hours at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Style Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili

Pumpkin puree and red lentils create a thick, rich base with subtle sweetness and hearty texture. The slow cooker takes care of the cooking while the flavors deepen, making it perfect for busy days when the weather demands something cozy. It’s a fall-inspired option that still feels classic enough for any chili fan.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili

Sweet potatoes and quinoa bring plant-based protein and a satisfying bite to this hearty chili. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work while you’re out. By the time you’re back, you’ve got a filling meal that’s perfect for nights when September feels more like deep autumn.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili

Buffalo Chicken Chili

This slow-cooked chili packs all the flavor of buffalo wings into a hearty, spoonable dinner. Tender chicken, creamy beans, and a punch of buffalo sauce cook together until everything is infused with bold, spicy flavor. It’s perfect for game day or any night you want a warm meal with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Chili

Turkey Chili

Ground turkey, beans, and tomatoes cook into a hearty, well-seasoned chili that comes together quickly with pantry staples. It’s leaner than beef but still full of the rich flavors you expect. When a cold snap catches you off guard, this is an easy go-to that feels comforting without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili

White Chicken Chili

Tender chicken, white beans, and a hint of spice create a creamy chili that’s ready in about 30 minutes. Pressure cooking helps meld the flavors fast while keeping the chicken juicy. It’s a perfect match for early cold weather when you need something warming that doesn’t take all night to make.
Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Venison Chili

Lean venison slow-cooks with beans, vegetables, and a deep mix of spices to create a hearty chili with bold flavor. The long simmer lets the meat turn tender while the spices develop, making it perfect for a cold September evening that feels like winter has shown up early.
Get the Recipe: Venison Chili

Chicken Enchilada Chili

Shredded chicken, beans, and enchilada sauce come together in the slow cooker to create a rich Tex-Mex style chili. It’s easy to assemble in the morning and ready to ladle out by dinnertime. The enchilada sauce adds depth and keeps the flavor lively when the weather is dreary.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Chili

Brisket Chili

Leftover brisket finds new purpose in this chunky chili with beans, peppers, and corn. Slow cooking breaks down the brisket into tender bites while letting the spices meld. It’s a hearty way to transform yesterday’s barbecue into a dinner built for cold, gray days.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

Quinoa and sweet potatoes make this meatless chili hearty enough for lunch or dinner. Everything cooks together in under 30 minutes, which means you can have a filling, plant-based meal on the table even when the weather cools faster than you planned.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

Chili with Bacon

Crispy bacon builds the flavor base for this classic chili filled with beans, tomatoes, and spices. As it simmers, the bacon enriches every spoonful and gives the dish a deep, robust taste. Top it with cheese, avocado, or extra bacon for a dinner that feels special when fall nights turn chilly.
Get the Recipe: Chili with Bacon

Butternut Squash Chili

Cubes of butternut squash cook down with beans, tomatoes, and spices until they’re tender and flavorful. The slow cooker does the work while you go about your day, leaving you with a hearty vegetarian meal that suits early cold snaps and late harvest produce.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Chili

Three Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Three varieties of beans and lean turkey slow-cook with tomatoes and spices into a thick, flavorful chili. It’s easy to prep in the morning and ready by dinner, and it freezes well for quick meals when September feels like mid-November.
Get the Recipe: Three Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili