11 Meats To Try In Chili When You're Tired Of Ground Beef

When you're making chili, it's almost always with one specific protein: beef. The rich flavor, fat, and versatility of beef make it the perfect companion for this cozy dish. Adding beans, tomato sauce, onions, peppers, and other chili staples, and you have a comforting meal beloved by many. And there are several reasons ground beef has become the go-to choice; it's easy to cook, pairs well with bold seasoning, and brings richness to every bite.

But just because beef is the default meat in chili, it doesn't mean it's the only option. Swapping in a new protein adds whole new layers of flavor, texture, and richness to the dish. Whether you track down a recipe written with a different protein or make your own substitution, there are many different things you can substitute for beef when you're looking for something different. Read on to discover the best meats to try in chili other than ground beef.

If you're looking for a meat for your chili with a little more oomph, look no further than chorizo. This boldly flavored sausage is popular in Spanish and Mexican cuisine, and often used in dishes like tacos or paella. Typically made from pork (though cheaper alternatives are sometimes made using organ meat), it is spiced with smoked paprika and garlic to give it its signature flavor.

This heavily spiced sausage is the perfect way to impart some extra flavor into your favorite chili. You can swap the chorizo for beef 1-to-1, or for a milder chorizo flavor, try replacing only a portion of the beef rather than making a full swap.

Alternatively, you can use a recipe, like our classic chili recipe with a twist, that includes chorizo from the beginning. After removing the chorizo from the casing and browning it, it's mixed with traditional chili ingredients like onion, garlic, and jalapeño, and spices like chili and chipotle powder. Sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and strained tomatoes round out this recipe, creating a final dish that is savory, satisfying, and full of flavor.

Recipe: Classic Chili Recipe With A Twist

Though many people automatically think of deer meat when they hear the word "venison," it actually can refer to several different meats, including deer, caribou, elk, or moose. This meat is packed full of flavor, tender thanks to thin muscle fibers, and low in fat — making it a heart-healthy alternative to fattier beef.

Incorporating ground venison into your favorite chili recipe is an easy swap. Use a 1-to-1 ratio of venison to beef, and cook it the same way as in this venison chili recipe. You'll want to brown the venison with the onions to marry flavors, breaking up the meat as it cooks, just like you would with ground beef. Beans, corn, and tomato sauce are added to the mixture and simmered over low heat to allow the flavors to develop. After just 30 minutes or so, this delicious venison chili is ready to eat — and even more delicious when topped with your favorite chili accompaniments like cheese, sour cream, or guacamole.

Recipe: Venison Chili

If you want to switch up your chili from the usual rich, tomato-based version, a white chicken chili is the perfect alternative. This recipe has a chicken stock base mixed with crème fraîche to give it a light-yet-savory taste and creamy texture. Like most chili recipes, it begins by sautéing up the veggies before adding spices, stock, the protein (in this case, chicken), and beans. The crème fraîche is added right before serving as the perfect finishing touch.

But if you're craving a tomato-based chili, luckily you can still use chicken as an easy protein swap. The mild flavor makes it ultra-versatile because it takes on the flavors of the spices and other ingredients that are cooked with it; in the case of chili, that's usually things like cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Swapping ground chicken for ground beef is probably the easiest substitution, but you can also use shredded chicken, too (taking the meat from a grocery store rotisserie chicken can help save you even more time and hassle).

Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Lamb, like beef, is a protein source filled with plenty of vitamins and minerals — not to mention flavor. Both meats are rich and earthy and have surprisingly similar nutritional content. Lamb, however, has a more "gamey" flavor compared to beef, which can add a unique and unexpected twist to your chili. The best part? Ground lamb can be a 1-to-1 sub for ground beef in most recipes, so you don't have to worry about complicated substitutions.

Alternatively, there are recipes like this lamb chili with chickpeas and raita that use lamb to completely reimagine classic chili altogether. The South Asian-inspired flavors — though not typical of chili — are a delicious combo that will have you rethinking your go-to chili recipe. A mix of ground lamb, chickpeas, and aromatics like fresh ginger, spices like garam masala, and coconut milk blend together to create a well-spiced chili. It's then topped with a fresh and herbaceous raita made with cucumber, mint, and yogurt that is the perfect cool and creamy counterpoint to the rich chili.

Recipe: Lamb Chili

Turkey for beef is probably the most obvious meat substitution for chili; ground turkey is typically a leaner option compared to ground beef, but the texture is incredibly similar — making it an ideal swap for many recipes. It also brings plenty of nutritional upside to the table; it's a great source of protein and has several vitamins, like vitamin B6, B12, and niacin, alongside minerals like selenium, zinc, and phosphorus. Though it's a nutrient-rich alternative to beef, it's also much milder, so you may want to amp up the spices being used if you opt for a 1-to-1 swap in an existing recipe.

There are also many recipes, like our quick turkey chili, that use ground turkey from the jump. The process for making them is very similar to beef chilis; the meat is browned in the pot with onions before adding beans, tomatoes, and spices. After letting the ingredients simmer, it's served with classic chili toppings — like cheese, sour cream, and cilantro — and it is even more delicious with a side of classic cornbread.

Recipe: Turkey Chili

Pork and green chile chili is a Mexican classic. Though there are many variations of this dish depending on the region, all of them include a few ingredients: pork, chiles, and spices. Our version uses ground pork mixed with vegetables, seasonings, and spices, including fresh ginger, cannellini beans, and of course, green chiles.

Other recipes call for different cuts of pork, like pork loin or pork shoulder, that give the chili a slightly different texture. This method, however, requires longer cook times to allow the pork to break down and get nice and tender as it cooks.

Pork is very versatile when it comes to flavor, making it a good substitute for beef in classic chili recipes, too. Compared to beef, its milder taste is neutral enough to pair with a wide range of chiles, aromatics, and spices. Choosing a fattier cut of pork also allows you to make a rich, hearty chili that tastes more similar to beef chili. If you want something lighter, however, opt for a leaner pork cut.

Recipe: Pork And Green Chile Chili

Bison may not be a common meat substitution for beef, but it's a delicious alternative you shouldn't overlook. Bison cuts come in almost all the same variations as beef: filet mignon, ribeye, top sirloin, and ground. The differences in the cuts mimic those in beef, where cuts like ribeye are more marbled while top sirloin is leaner, for example.

Bison, however, has a sweeter, more distinct flavor than beef. It's much higher in iron, which also gives it a more earthy flavor — though it's not gamey, like elk or deer. Another pro? It's a bit healthier than beef because it's leaner, which means it's lower in both fat and calories.

Our Crock Pot bison chili recipe makes it simple to swap bison for beef. Ground bison is browned and added to a slow cooker alongside familiar chili ingredients like beans, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and spices. The low-and-slow cooking process lets all of those flavors meld together, creating a hearty chili that is similar to the beef-based version you know and love.

Recipe: Crock Pot Bison Chili

Instead of classic grass-fed beef chili, why not try something a little more out of the box? Subbing goat for beef is an easy swap that offers something a bit different from your typical variation. And it's not just the taste that makes goat a good alternative; raising goats has a lower carbon footprint than raising beef, and goat has amazing nutritional benefits, too.

Goat — one of the healthiest red meats — is low in both fat and cholesterol (even lower than chicken), and higher than other red meats in iron. Like other meats, it's also very high in protein and has a lot of your daily vitamins and minerals, like riboflavin, vitamin B12, and zinc.

When it comes to taste, goat has a bit of a gamey flavor, but it's also slightly sweet. Some consider it delicate, but it also has an earthy taste (thanks to the iron content) that sets it apart from other proteins. All of these traits lend themselves well to the flavors in chili, making goat the perfect protein choice to complement the acidic flavor of tomato, the bold flavors of cumin and paprika, and the creaminess of beans.

Recipe: Classic Grass-Fed Beef (Or Goat) Chili

Though poultry like chicken, duck has its own distinct flavor. Because it has more fat than turkey or chicken, it is richer and more intense, with a bit of a gamey flavor. Because of this richness, it pairs well with heavily spiced dishes — making it the ideal protein to stand up against the cumin, paprika, and chili powder all found in chili.

If you're looking to switch out beef for duck, our classic 5-ingredient chili recipe is the perfect place to do it. Ground duck is an easy stand-in for ground beef, since you can brown and crumble it the same way before adding the other ingredients. The meat is complemented by onion, two types of beans, and chili powder to bring out the earthy, natural flavors of all of the ingredients. Top the final product with cheese, green onions, or sour cream to take it to the next level.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chili (Substitute Beef With Duck)

Though rabbit is typically recommended as a substitution for poultry like turkey or chicken — and not beef — that doesn't mean you can't incorporate it into your favorite chili recipes. If you're craving the creaminess of a white chili, like our white turkey chili, subbing in rabbit is a great way to change up the protein and impart a different flavor with little to no added effort.

Because this recipe calls for ground turkey (and you won't likely find ground rabbit), you'll want to prep the protein slightly differently. Melt better (or use your favorite oil) in a hot pan, and place the rabbit in. Pour in water and heat until it's at a slight boil, allowing the rabbit to cook for several minutes before flipping. Once cooked, you can remove the rabbit from the bone, shred it, and put it back into the pot and continue the recipe as usual.

Recipe: White Turkey (Substitute With Rabbit) Chili

If you're vegetarian or vegan, it can be hard to fill the void of a hearty, beef-based chili. Luckily, the prevalence of meatless meat alternatives has continued to grow, and with it, the availability of substitutions like Impossible ground beef. This 100% animal-free product still has the protein you'd get with meat, but it is made using soy and other plant-based ingredients. Impossible beef's meaty texture and flavor are an amazing addition to recipes like our 3-bean vegetarian chili to add some extra substance and flavor.

Because this ground beef is designed to mimic the taste and texture of the real deal, you can also swap it into recipes that call for ground beef in the first place. Brown and crumble it like you would real beef before combining the rest of your ingredients. You can also add your favorite toppings — like guacamole, tortilla strips, and green onions — and still keep the meal totally meat- and dairy-free.

Recipe: 3-Bean (Add In Impossible Meat) Vegetarian Chili