Crockpot Chili Recipe

Loaded with beef, beans, tomatoes, and a TON of spicy, smoky flavor, this delicious and easy Crockpot Chili Recipe is the ultimate set it and forget it cozy meal. This thick and hearty slow cooked chili is perfect for busy nights, and a has a rich and satisfying taste that the whole family will enjoy.

Is there any better way to beat the winter blues than by enjoying a big warm bowl of homemade chili?

Loaded with all the good stuff (spices, beans, beef and more), this superbly delicious and satisfying crockpot chili is perfect for busy days and nights, football watching, tailgating, potlucks, and so much more.

Slow cooked to perfection, it's nearly impossible to resist the soulful, spicy aromas that trickle out of the crockpot as this beauty of a chili simmers to savory perfection all day. Mmmm...

And, of course, slow cooked chili is always more fun with all the fixin's. Don't forget to also serve it with a big piece of cornbread, which can sop up all the goodness left in the bowl--because trust me, you won't want even one drop to go to waste 😉.

No crockpot? No problem! I've got you covered with my Easy Stove Top Chili and White Bean Chicken Chili!

Jump to:

👪Why you'll love it
🥘Ingredients
🔪Instructions
🥣Substitutions
🌶️Serving ideas
🍽Equipment
🍶Storage
💭Top tip
🗨️FAQ
🥄Related
🍴Pairing
📋Recipe
💬 Comments

👪Why you'll love it

Easy recipe- The beauty of a slow cooker is that it works hard all day on dinner so that you don't have to! All you need to do is cook the beef ahead of time, then dump all the ingredients in the crockpot and let it work its magic.

Kid approved- Kids love chili, especially with all the fixin's. Consider creating a chili bar to go along with the main course, where they can pick out their favorite toppings!

Makes a lot and keeps well- With 8 generous servings, you'll most likely have leftovers. Luckily this crockpot chili holds up well for a few days in the fridge, and can also be frozen for up to 3 months!

🥘Ingredients

lean ground beef- I prefer lean or extra lean ground beef for this chili recipe; you won't miss the extra fat with all the flavors and the thick consistency
fresh garlic cloves- mince for best flavor
low sodium beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, & tomato paste- these 3 ingredients get whisked together before adding to create a savory broth
petite diced tomatoes & fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles- we use a combination of canned tomatoes, plus their juice for added flavor depth
onion powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper- soulful spicy seasonings for the broth; you can dial these up or down to suit your taste
kidney beans & pinto beans- I like a combination of at least two different beans for texture and flavor variety; feel free to use your favs

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

Step 1: Brown the ground beef, add minced garlic; drain and transfer to slow cooker.

Step 2: Whisk the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste; pour on top of beef.

Step 3: Add canned tomatoes and juice, followed by all the seasonings.

Step 4: Add the beans; gently stir to incorporate. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Hint: While this recipe can be cooked on high for 3-4 hours, cooking it on low for 6-7 hours creates a much more savory, thick and rich tasting chili.

🥣Substitutions

Onion- instead of onion powder, add 1 cup diced white or yellow onion halfway through the beef browning process when you add the fresh garlic
Meat- use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a different flavor profile
Vegetarian- omit the beef, beef broth & Worcestershire sauce; use two more cans of beans (cannellini beans are a good option), vegetable broth, & vegan Worcestershire sauce.

🌶️Serving ideas

Chili bar- serve chili in bowls, and have a variety of toppings to choose from, including salty and crunchy corn and potato chips, green onions, jalapeños, sour cream, queso sauce, hot sauce, and more
Over noodles- cook your favorite noodle in a separate pot (we like spaghetti or macaroni); serve chili on top noodles and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese or cheese sauce
Chili dogs- grill hot dogs; serve in buns and top with chili, cheddar cheese and onions
Chili baked potato- prepare and bake large russet potatoes; cut potatoes open and fill with chili and other desired toppings

See Easy Stove Top Chili for a slightly different version of this recipe made in just 2 hours!

🍽Equipment

large skillet (for browning beef)
meat chopper
garlic press
6 quart slow cooker/crockpot
measuring cups & measuring spoons
whisk
small bowl
stirring spoon
colander
ladle

🍶Storage

Store Crockpot Chili Recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can be frozen for up to 3 months. You may choose to store the chili in one big container, or individual freezer bags for a quick meal. Defrost overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy again.

💭Top tip

Don't have a crockpot? You can make this chili recipe in a Dutch oven or heavy pot on the stovetop. Just be sure to have it simmer on low for at least 6 hours for best results.

🗨️FAQ

How to thicken slow cooker chili?

The longer the chili simmers on low, the more it should thicken. You can always remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of slow cooking to allow some of the moisture to evaporate, which in turn will thicken the chili.

Can I put raw beef in a slow cooker for chili?

Technically yes, but most recipes, including this one, suggest browning the meat first on the stove. This not only allows you to drain excess fat, it also helps the meat from becoming too grainy in the sauce.

Is chili better in a slow cooker?

Chili is a great recipe for the slow cooker. By cooking it on low for 6-8 hours, you give time for the flavors to meld and for the meat to get tender. This is definitely the best method for deep, rich flavor.

🥄Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

🍴Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Crockpot Chili Recipe:

📋Recipe