12 Chili Cook-Off Champion Recipes

Boilermaker Tailgate Chili

"This chili recipe has now won us two chili cook-off blue ribbons! It is still our only chili recipe. Just two minor alterations: we used a whole bottle of Guinness beer and only used two cans of spicy chili beans, and we cooked it all day on low in our huge slow cooker," says one Allrecipes community member. "Fantastic!"

Washabinaros Chili

"I have won several chili cook-offs with this little gem. I stick to the recipe mostly, but I do usually omit the habaneros and sometimes substitute a can or two of great northern white beans for the kidney beans just because I find them more tender. I used a smoked porter for the beer the first time but lately have just been using a standard red ale with a drop of liquid smoke mixed in. I find the flavor to be almost identical." — Three-Two

Debdoozie's Blue Ribbon Chili

Check out this ringing endorsement from a 5-star reviewer: "This truly is the best and easiest recipe ever! I do it in the Crock-Pot to make it even simpler. I, too, have won chili cook-offs with this without changing a thing."

Fusion Chili

"I posted years ago that I had won a cook-off with this chili. Well since then I've won THREE more!" — kym

Prize-Winning Chili

"I won a chili cook-off with this recipe in Tennessee in 1996. My family and friends all love this chili. It is requested for all family get-togethers. A great dish for a chilly day. Serve with shredded cheese and crackers," says recipe creator Howard.

Flatlander Chili

"My two daughters and I used this recipe for our Girl Scout Father-Daughter Chili contest and won 'Best Overall Chili' out of over 30 contestants," says one reviewer.

Chili I

"This is an awesome recipe," says a happy Allrecipes community member. "We used it for a chili cook off and won first place. Don't change a thing. This is the perfect chili. Everyone wants the recipe."

Award Winning Chili

"I won first place at my office chili-cook off with this recipe," says Jill. "And I don't even like chili!"

Best Damn Chili

"I’ve won back to back chili contest’s at my job with this recipe," says an Allrecipes community member. "It is delicious and definitely a winner. Some have said the brown sugar shouldn’t go in the chili but that was said by the loser."

The Ultimate Chili

"Awesome! This recipe won me top prize at my company's annual chili cook-off. There wasn't enough to satisfy the demand. Great stuff!" — RogerH

Chili Rick's

"I entered a chili cook-off and won first place! I halved the chili powder (actually I used a generous 1/4 cup), and used about 18 oz of Hunt's Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce," says reviewer Lauren Chao. "It was just the right spiciness, just the right sweetness (not too sweet), and turned out fabulous!"

Chili by George

"Fantastic and easy," raves jester. "Won first place at office chili cook-off!"

More Inspiration

• More Chili Recipes Worthy of Champions