11 Best Chili Recipes to Big-Batch Cook and Freeze

on Oct 16, 2025

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Bowl of Beef, Black Bean, and Jalapeno Chili topped with onion, scallions, and cheese.

If you’re craving cozy, comforting dinners that require very little from you, you’ll love this roundup of chili recipes built for big batches and the freezer. I’ve gathered everything from classic beef and turkey chilies to vegetarian and white chicken versions, each one hearty, flavorful, and freezer-friendly. Whether you’re planning for a crowd or just want a stash of easy heat-and-eat dinners, this list provides lots of options, ready when you are.

Chili recipes usually make a lot, and you can enjoy some for dinner with your family and then freeze the rest in quart or pint containers for another meal. If you are looking for a really big freezer stash of chili, make a double batch of any of these!

Barbacoa Beef Chili in pot on table with toppings in bowls. — Barbacoa Beef Chili

If you are looking for hearty, protein-packed dishes to cook and freeze, then look no further than a pot of chili. Here are flavor-packed chili recipes to big-batch cook and freeze.

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How to Freeze Chili

Make sure to label the containers with the name of the dish and the date it was made and frozen. Chili can be frozen for 6 to 9 months.
You should freeze it in freezer-proof containers, and remember to leave a little headspace (1/2 inch or so) between the top of the soup and the lid of the container. This is because the chili will expand slightly as it freezes, and if the container is filled to the top, it could pop the top off when it expands.
Freeze chili in pint or quart containers for easy defrosting, or you can use freezer-proof zipper-top bags. If you use bags, freeze the chili with the bag lying flat so it takes up less awkwardly large amounts of space. Then, you can stack the bags or even turn the bags of frozen chili on their sides and line them up like books.

How to Defrost Chili

To thaw frozen chili, place it in the fridge overnight. Larger containers may take up to two days to defrost thoroughly.

You can also defrost chili in the microwave using the defrost setting (make sure you are using a microwave-safe container), and then transfer it to a pot and heat it on the stove. Or if you are in a rush or haven’t planned ahead, you can even place the frozen chili in a pot and heat it slowly, stirring often, over low heat.

Best Chili Toppings

Toppings should be fresh, but shredded cheese can be frozen, and obviously, salsa is shelf-stable until opened, so those are perennial topping options. Sour cream lasts for a long time in the fridge.

11 Big-Batch Chili Recipes

Here is a collection of hearty, make-ahead chili recipes perfect for freezer cooking, weeknight dinners, or comforting weekend meals. Not to mention game-watching parties, tailgates, and post-sledding get-togethers!

From classic beef or turkey chilis to vegetarian versions, each of these recipes is flavorful, easy to make, and freezer-friendly. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just prepping ahead, this chili collection offers delicious variety and stress-free dinner options.

5 from 3 votes

Texas Red Chili

A "Bowl of Red" — meaty, beefy, and absolutely not a bean in sight inside Texas chili.

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5 from 2 votes

Game Day Ground Beef Chili

This is a pretty classic beef chili recipe with a nice medium (but adjustable!) level of heat. And it's easy!

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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

A super classic, soul satisfying chili, made in the crockpot.

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5 from 2 votes

Ground Beef, Black Bean, and Jalapeño Chili

Hearty and perfect chili for cold weather with just the right amount of heat from the jalapeños.

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5 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Vegetable Chili

The classic perfect vegetarian chili recipe, reinterpreted for the Instant Pot.

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5 from 2 votes

Barbacoa Beef Chili

Starting your chili with barbacoa beef cooked in the slow cooker means that you will have one of the most flavorful pots of chili ever.

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5 from 8 votes

Turkey Chili

This is our all-time favorite chili recipe, made with ground turkey and turkey sausage, thick, rich, and flavorful.

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Spoon in a pot of Buffalo Chicken and White Bean Chili.

4.75 from 4 votes

Easy Buffalo Chicken and White Bean Chili (in an hour!)

This chili delivers bold, tangy Buffalo sauce flavor with creamy white beans and tender chicken, and it’s all made in one pot. Ready in under an hour (or totally hands-off in the slow cooker), it’s perfect for busy weeknights, crowd-pleasing dinners, or game-day parties. Leftovers? Even better the next day.

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