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    Home » Recipes

    Hearty Slow Cooker Chili

    Published: Feb 4, 2016 · Modified: Jan 21, 2024 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy Crockpot Chili recipe is delicious, thick and hearty. Made with ground beef, beans, and the perfect blend of chili spices, it’s perfect for parties, game day celebrations, and potlucks.

    hearty chili in a bowl

    Comfort food that’s hearty, sticks to your ribs, and practically prepares itself is a 5-star recipe in my book. I have been making this chili recipe for quite some time and it is by far my family’s favorite meal.

    Packed with protein and a variety of vegetables, this chili is a wholesome and convenient dinner choice.

    hearty chili in the crockpot

    Easy to make with minimal prep work and customized to everyone’s liking, this chili is also great for meal prepping and can be frozen for later use.

    It’s perfect crowd-pleaser for a busy day, football game, or when you just don’t feel like cooking and will hit the spot every time.

    Serve it with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, and green onions for a delicious and satisfying meal.

    Jump to:
    • Beef Chili Ingredients
    • How to Make Crock Pot Chili
    • Recipe Tips and Variations
    • How to Serve Chili
    • How To Store Chili
    • FAQs
    • More Comfort Food Recipes
    • Recipe
    ingredients for crockpot chili

    Beef Chili Ingredients

    See recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and amounts.

    • Ground Beef: I used lean ground beef for this recipe, but you can use any ground meat such as chicken or turkey for a lower calorie option.
    • Diced Tomatoes: I used canned diced tomatoes, but you can swap for 2 cups of fresh diced tomatoes.
    • Rotel Tomatoes: I used a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies for an extra kick of spice and flavor. You can use mild or hot depending on your preference.
    • Tomato Sauce: I used canned tomato sauce, but you can also use homemade tomato sauce.
    • Canned Tomato Paste: This is used to help thicken the chili, but you can also use homemade tomato paste.
    • Onion: Diced, any type of onion would work in this recipe.
    • Brown Sugar: Can use coconut sugar for a healthier option.
    • Beef Broth: This is totally optional but adds a depth of flavor to the chili. If you want your chili thicker, leave it out.
    • Kidney Beans: Any kind of beans will work such as pinto beans, black beans, etc. or you can leave them out completely.
    • Green Pepper: I used a green bell pepper, but you can use any color bell pepper you prefer.
    • Seasonings: I used salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika. Feel free to customized to your liking or use my homemade chili seasoning recipe.

    How to Make Crock Pot Chili

    1. Brown ground meat, green pepper and diced onion together in a skillet over medium heat until meat is cooked through.
    2. Drain excess fat and place in slow cooker.
    3. Pour beef broth over top, add spices and sugar.
    4. Top with canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
    5. Stir at the halfway point of cooking.
    6. Serve and garnish as desired.
    thick and hearty chili in a bowl with sour cream and cheese

    Recipe Tips and Variations

    • Taste-test and adjust seasoning as needed.
    • Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and will make the dish even more delicious.
    • Make it your own by incorporating different herbs, spices, or vegetables.
    • Want to add a little heat? Throw in some diced jalapenos or a dash of cayenne pepper.
    • Craving more veggies? Chop up some bell peppers, zucchini, or corn kernels and let them simmer away with the rest of the ingredients.
    • To give your chili an extra depth of flavor, consider adding a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder. It may sound unusual but trust me, it adds richness to the chili.
    • Go vegetarian by using meatless crumbles made from soy protein.

    How to Serve Chili

    • Just in a bowl garnished with sour cream, cheese and green onions – GREAT Paleo, Low Carb, and Gluten Free option!
    • Make Frito chili pies (also known as walking tacos) with Frito chips, sour cream and cheese.
    • Serve in a bread bowl with garnishes.
    • Pipe sour cream on like football threads for a Super Bowl or sports themed party.
    • Add a dollop to hot dogs for a chili dog.
    chili with sour cream green onions and cheese

    How To Store Chili

    • Refrigerator: Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: Chili can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it on the stovetop or microwave.
    • Reheat: To reheat chili, warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until warmed through.

    FAQs

    What are some good toppings for chili?

    There are so many delicious options! Some popular choices include shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, sliced jalapenos, and crushed tortilla chips. Feel free to get creative with your toppings and add whatever you’d like!

    What can I serve with this hearty chili?

    Chili pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some traditional options include cornbread, rice or quinoa, baked potatoes or sweet potatoes, crusty bread rolls – anything that complements its bold flavors!

    More Comfort Food Recipes

    • Chicken Pot Pie
    • Turkey Chili
    • Shepherd’s Pie
    • Cast Iron Meatloaf

    Recipe

    Hearty Slow Cooker Chili

    Alison McFadden
    This easy Crockpot Chili recipe is delicious, thick and hearty. Made with ground beef, beans, and the perfect blend of chili spices, it's perfect for parties, game day celebrations, and potlucks.
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    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Course Main Dishes, Slow Cooker
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 servings
    Calories 329 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb lean ground beef
    • 1 (14.5oz.) can diced tomatoes
    • 1 (14.5oz.) can rotel tomatoes
    • 1 (8oz.) can tomato sauce
    • 1 (6oz.) can tomato paste
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 5 tbsp chili powder
    • 4 tbsp brown sugar
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 green pepper, diced
    • 1 (15oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • ½ tsp smoked paprika
    • ½ cup beef broth

    Instructions
     

    • Brown ground meat, green pepper and diced onion together in a skillet over medium heat until meat is cooked through.
    • Drain excess fat and place in slow cooker.
    • Pour beef broth over top, add spices and sugar.
    • Top with canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
    • Stir at the halfway point of cooking.
    • Serve and garnish as desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 41gFat: 10gPotassium: 910mgFiber: 4g

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

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    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

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