Food Meanderings

11 Award-Winning Chili Recipes

Published: by Terri Gilson · Modified: · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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Winter is here and that means it's time for cozy comfort foods, with chili being the ultimate comfort food! If you're looking for Award-winning Chili Recipes, you've come to the right place. I've rounded up these 11 best chili recipes from my fellow food bloggers and included a variety of chili recipes, such as stovetop chili, instant-pot chili, crock-pot chili, award-winning Texas chili, steak chili and turkey chili. All of these chilis have won awards and competitions of some kind, including local and family cook-offs, online chili contests and national competitions!

collage of 4 photos of award-winning chili with black text on white background

Chili is also the perfect game day or tailgating food and it's ideal for whipping up for a large group or a simple family dinner. There's nothing like a hearty bowl of chili to warm you up on a cold day, so get cozy and cook up these tried and true recipes!

Southern Soul Chili
This Award-winning Southern Chili is made with beef and beans in a rich sauce and is loaded with amazing flavor! Perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, its comfort food at it’s BEST. It won a local Farmer Market Chili Challenge and has won many competitions since then.
Check out this recipe
Southern Soul Chili, with cheese and green onion on top, in a white bowl with bread on the side
Healthy Ground Turkey chili
This award-winning Healthy Ground Turkey Chili recipe has won several family cookoffs, is kid-friendly and makes a great weeknight dinner. Packed with savory ground turkey, beans, veggies and tomato in every spoonful, this is a delicious and comforting dinner that cooks in 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
ground turkey chili in a white bowl with blue and white linen in front and another bowl of chili in the back
Award-Winning Texas Chili
This 1st place Texas Chili Cookoff winner is sure to please for a hearty fall or winter meal. Made without tomatoes or beans, this chili focuses on the tender meat and spices.
Check out this recipe
Texas chili in a white bowl with spoon
Tailgate Chili
This multiple award-winning Tailgate Chili is filled with meat, beans, diced veggies, tomatoes, and spices. It's perfect for making ahead and it freezes well!
Check out this recipe
tailgate chili in a white bowl on a platter, with cheese on top and little crackers scattered around
Award Winning Chili with Ground Beef and Pinto Beans
This Award-winning Beef Chili Recipe with Pinto Beans won several cooking contests, including an exclusive contest for the  University of Georgia parents. It's a classic one-bowl dinner idea that the whole family will love!
Check out this recipe
chili in a white casserole bowl, topped with jalapenos, sour cream and chips, on a brown cutting board
Instant Pot Chili
This Easy Instant Pot Chili (Pressure Cooker Chili) is loaded with layers of umami flavors. It's a rich, flavorful, & tasty beef and beans chili that will satisfy your hearty comfort food cravings. Many readers have won chili competitions & cook-offs with this best instant pot chili!
Check out this recipe
instant pot chili in a white bowl, with a spoon being held up over bowl
Crock-pot Crazy Pineapple Chili
A contest-winning chili with an amazing flavor twist that people go crazy over! It's quick and easy to make in the slow cooker – and healthy, too!
Check out this recipe
Pineapple chili in a yellow bowl with chili ingredients in the background
Dad's Secret Ingredient Chili
Dad’s award winning secret ingredient chili is a hearty chili full of big flavors and a couple of unexpected secret ingredients. This one pot chili takes only 15 minutes of active prep time before simmering away on the stove top to create a satisfying bowl of coziness!
Check out this recipe
2 bowls of Dad's secret ingredient chili with squares of chocolate in the background
Pickleball Chili
This classic chili has won or at least placed in more than one chili cook-off. Tried and true over the years for good reason!
Check out this recipe
Pickleball Chili in a white bowl
Tri-Tip Steak Chili
You will love how easy it is to make this thick, hearty steak chili with a generous amount of tri-tip steak, three types of beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chiles. It's perfect for feeding a crowd!
Check out this recipe
Tri tip steak chili in a white bowl with pot of chili in the background
Indian Spice Turkey Chili
This Indian-Spiced Turkey Chili recipe will rock your world – and it just might be the most unique chili recipe you’ve ever tasted! It’s an amazing (yet easy!) chili recipe that wins cook-offs … and passes from friend to friend to friend, as everyone asks for the recipe!
Check out this recipe
Indian Spiced Turkey Chili in a blue bowl with spoon and yellow bowl of chili in the background

The Ultimate Chili

I am very fussy when it comes to chili and have attended many chili contests and cook-offs in my life (which is just too much fun :)), as well as tasted many-a-chili recipe (although I've only ever had the opportunity to compete in one friendly contest). But as far as my taste buds are concerned, this Pork and Beef Stovetop Chili Recipe has never been beat; it's the best chili I have ever had (with the best secret ingredient)! And if I ever have the opportunity to compete in another chili competition or cook-off, I will definitely be using this recipe!

📋 Pork and Beef Stovetop Chili Recipe
This quick and easy homemade stove top chili uses both pork and beef for an incredible depth of flavor. But fresh dill is the magic ingredient! Seasoning mix and canned tomatoes make for a fast dinner and the perfect chili for feeding a crowd in a hurry! It's also Weight Watchers friendly. Double, triple or quadruple this recipe if you are feeding a larger group!
Check out this recipe
chili in a bowl on a wooden surface

So if you're looking for a classic or traditional chili recipe or something new and unique, you can't go wrong with any of these award-winning chili recipes!

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And if you're hungry for more award-winning recipes, check out this post: 40 Award-winning Recipes !

collage of 3 photos of award-winning recipes with white text on black background in the middle

🦺FOOD SAFETY

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelley

    There are so many intriguing recipes here! Definitely bookmarking - perfect for all the chilly days this winter, and definitely for Super Bowl Sunday! Thanks for the inspo! 🙂

    Reply

    • Terri Gilson

      Thanks, Shelley!

      Reply

  2. Kristy Richardson

    So many great recipes that look delicious, I'll have to check out some new ideas! Thanks for including my turkey chili in this great list!

    Reply

    • Terri Gilson

      Thanks, Kristy! I can't wait to try your turkey Chili!

      Reply

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