7 Healthy Chili Recipes You'll Want To Try This Fall (2024)

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Recipes

Author:

October 15, 2016

By Leah Vanderveldt

mbg Contributor

Leah Vanderveldt is an author living in Brooklyn, New York. She received her bachelor’s in communications and media from Fordham University, and is certified in culinary nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She is the author of two cookbooks: The New Nourishing and The New Porridge.

Whether it's for a game-day tailgating feast or just an excuse to make a cold-weather dinner a little cozier, a big pot of chili is one of our favorite ways to celebrate fall.

Be it extra-spicy, smoky, or veggie-packed—here are some of our favorite healthy chili recipes to suit every mood!

Smoky Black Bean + Sweet Potato Chili

7 Healthy Chili Recipes You'll Want To Try This Fall (3)

Photo by James Ransom

Smoked paprika and sweet potatoes take this vegan chili to the next level—it's so good, you'll want to eat all season.

Get the recipe.

White Chicken Quinoa Chili

White chili is a thing, and we're totally into it. Unlike most chili, this one doesn't use tomatoes and instead ups the chicken broth (you could probably sub in some healing bone broth here too). Give it a shot.

One Pot Red Lentil Chili

The perfect balance of spices, beans, and lentils—all in one pot.

Vegetarian Green Chili

This chili is all about capturing the essence of salsa verde with lots of good-for-you greens.

(No-Bean) Sweet-Potato + Kale Chili

For those who could use a break from legumes, this chili is for you. The original recipe includes ground turkey, but they offer a vegan option, too.

Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Chili

This is the perfect recipe to set and forget in your trusty slow-cooker. Pumpkin puree boosts the vitamin A and fiber content, too.

Spicy Black Bean Soup

7 Healthy Chili Recipes You'll Want To Try This Fall (4)

Image by Ellie Krieger

OK, this one is technically a soup, but there's a distinct chili vibe to it while keeping the focus on earthy and nutrient-dense black beans.

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7 Healthy Chili Recipes You'll Want To Try This Fall (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What can I add to chili to make it healthier? ›

Cauliflower florets work well in chili by offering loads of health benefits. Since they hold their shape through cooking, they're a great substitute for beans. Celery adds a crunchy texture, is low in calories, and has high levels of fiber and vitamin K.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Is homemade chilli healthy? ›

In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What are the best beans to use for homemade chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Is chili OK for weight loss? ›

Helps with weight loss

Other studies show that chili peppers can increase metabolism and help you burn off the calories you do eat. While eating them by themselves may not lead to a significant change in your weight, using them with your doctor-approved weight loss plan may help you see results more quickly.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

Best: Pacific Foods Plant-Based Fire Roasted Vegetable Chili

This is because the vegetarian ingredients pack loads of fiber and still meet our minimum protein recommendations. Although this option falls a little short at 8 grams of fiber per cup, eating a full can will fill you up with 15 grams and only 360 calories.

How do you doctor up chili? ›

Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.
  1. Adding beer to your chili can make it more complex. ...
  2. Mix in cocoa for a deeper flavor. ...
  3. Fresh, chopped ingredients are excellent chili toppings. ...
  4. You can also top your meal with cooked bacon. ...
  5. Roast and mix in some chiles.
Oct 16, 2022

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato sauce is not a strong a taste as tomato paste. Also, sauce will increase the liquid content of your chili ever so slightly. Tomato paste has a more full, rich, tomato taste and smell. Using either one is appropriate, but you will need to tweak your seasonings to suit your personal tastes, anyway.

Is chili good for high blood pressure? ›

The researchers say that laboratory research has shown that blood vessels relax when exposed to capsaicin. However, other studies in humans and rodents have had contrasting results, with some finding it raised arterial blood pressure while others found it lowered blood pressure.

Is it OK to eat 1 chilli everyday? ›

One should not have more than 12 to 15 grams of chilli in a day. Overeating this spicing ingredient can lead to acidity, burning sensation in the gut, cramps and pain diarrhoea.

Is it OK to eat chilli everyday? ›

Consuming red chili in excess might have detrimental effects on your health. It could cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. After consuming too many chilies, you can try ice cream, cottage cheese, or cold milk to calm your stomach.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›

In a pot of chili, just a few strips of bacon add a smoky, meaty depth. And it's not just the bacon itself that adds flavor, it's the bacon fat, too. Before you start your recipe, cook 3 to 4 strips of thick-cut bacon until they're as crispy as you like.

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