Just about everyone has a good chili recipe, and nearly all of them start with the same basic ingredients. But true chili fans know it’s the creative additions that make the meal come alive.

We teamed up with BUSH’S® Beans to find the most exciting chili recipes that you can make in a slow cooker. Any one of these dishes will bring you closer to chili than you ever thought possible—which, isn’t that the dream?

1. Easy Salsa Verde White Chicken Chili

Yes, the classic beef stuff is great, but this white salsa verde chicken version still delivers on that bold yet comforting taste. Pair it with some sour cream and avocado, and you’ve got a new fave winter meal.

2. Easy Crock-Pot Creamy Enchilada Chicken Chili

Enchilada sauce and cream cheese… need we say more? This chili manages to combine two delicious foods into one super soup. We recommend serving with avocado, Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), and a crumbling of tortilla chips for crunch.

3. Slow-Cooker Black Bean, Butternut Squash, and Quinoa Chili

Beans and quinoa give this meatless chili a boost of protein, while butternut squash adds creaminess and a subtle sweetness—plus a boost of potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin B6.

4. Crock-Pot Carne Asada Beer Chili

If you’re looking for an ultimate chili recipe that checks all the boxes, this carne asada one should do the trick. It’s spiced with cacao powder (one of our favorite chili upgrades), smoked paprika, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. The recipe also subs in low-sodium chicken broth for the regular kind and features lean flank steak instead of ground beef.

5. BUSH’S® Pulled Pork and Bean Chili

Cold, rain, ridiculously early sunsets—none of it stands a chance against the warming power of this chili. Two cans of slow-simmered BUSH’S ® Chili Beans (pinto and kidney, to be exact) make this recipe borderline addictive. As if that’s not enough to get your mouth watering, pulled pork adds protein and much-needed summer vibes. If you want an extra pick-me-up, top with a drizzle of cheddar, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a hit of hot sauce.

6. Crock-Pot Crazy Pineapple Chili

No matter how you feel about pineapple on pizza, you’ll like it in this dish. Staples like black beans, chili powder, and cumin get a hint of tang (and the nutritious benefits of vitamin C and manganese) from the pineapple. Sweet Italian turkey sausage gets swapped in for ground beef, which lightens the dish without taking away flavor. Just serve, enjoy, and watch as your once-skeptical loved ones clamor for seconds.

7. Cincinnati Turkey Chili Spaghetti Squash Boats

We know, Cincinnati chili typically contains only meat, but hear us out—black beans, peppers, and onions take these squash boats to a whole other level. Swap out traditional spaghetti noodles for half a spaghetti squash for a meal that won’t put you in a food coma.

8. Slow-Cooker Chili Mac

So much better than anything you could make from a box, this chili mac is a savory masterpiece. It’s also easy to meal-prep for lunch during the week. Give the flavors a little time to marinate overnight in the fridge and thank us later.

9. Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

Classic buffalo chicken flavor works well in a lot of things—wraps, dips, wings—but chili might be our new favorite place for it. Be warned: This recipe brings the heat, so skip the sliced jalapeño garnish if you’re not the biggest fan of spice. And because blue cheese and buffalo chicken are a match made in heaven, don’t skimp on those creamy crumbles.