This dump-and-go Crockpot Chili Recipe is loaded with ground beef, hearty beans, and a deeply savory, smoky broth that simmers to perfection all day long. It's a thick, satisfying, and completely effortless slow-cooked dinner that will have the whole family running to the table!
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- 🍲Thick & Hearty Crockpot Chili Recipe That's Protein Packed
- 🌶️Don't Forget The Fixin's
- 😍Why You'll Love This Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 🥘Just Basic Ingredients Needed
- 🔪How To Make This Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 🥣Simple Ingredient Substitutions
- 🌶️Serving Ideas For Your Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 🍽Basic Equipment Needed
- 🍶Storing Your Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 💭Betty's Top Tip
- 🗨️Crockpot Chili Recipe FAQ
- 🥄More Savory Recipes With Ground Beef
- 🍴Favorite Pairings With Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions
- 💬 Comments
🍲Thick & Hearty Crockpot Chili Recipe That's Protein Packed
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, thick and hearty crockpot chili recipe is perfect for busy days and nights, football watching, tailgating, potlucks, and so much more.
🌶️Don't Forget The Fixin's
A crockpot chili recipe is always made better with all the fixin's. From corn chips, cheese, guacamole, and more--everyone at the table can customize their chili bowl to their liking. 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!
😍Why You'll Love This Crockpot Chili Recipe
| 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 recipe holds up well in the fridge, and can also be frozen for up to 3 months! |
🥘Just Basic Ingredients Needed
- lean ground beef- I prefer lean or extra lean ground beef for this crockpot 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.
🔪How To Make This Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 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 crockpot chili 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.
🥣Simple Ingredient 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 For Your Crockpot Chili Recipe
- 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!
For a slow cooker white chili that feeds a crowd, check out Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili!
🍽Basic Equipment Needed
- 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
🍶Storing Your Crockpot Chili Recipe
Store Crockpot Chili Recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can also 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.
💭Betty's 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.
🗨️Crockpot Chili Recipe FAQ
The longer the crockpot chili recipe 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.
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.
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.
🥄More Savory Recipes With Ground Beef
Looking for other recipes like this Crockpot Chili Recipe? Try these:
🍴Favorite Pairings With Crockpot Chili Recipe
These are our favorite dishes to serve with this Crockpot Chili Recipe:
📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions
Best Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe
Equipment
- large skillet (for browning beef)
- meat chopper
- garlic press
- 6 quart slow cooker/crockpot (lined or greased)
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- small bowl
- stirring spoon
- colander
- ladle
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Ingredients
- 2 lb lean or extra lean ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste I like roasted garlic flavor
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes + juice
- 1 (10 oz) can tomatoes with green chilis + juice I like fire roasted
- 1 teaspoon onion powder may substitute 1 cup diced onion
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 (15.5 oz) cans kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.5 oz) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- In large saucepan, brown meat over medium/high heat; add minced garlic (and fresh onion, if using) halfway through the browning process. Drain and transfer mixture to lined/greased crockpot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour this mixture over the beef.
- Combine all seasonings and sprinkle over the sauce. Use a whisk to gently incorporate the seasonings into the sauce.
- Add the diced tomatoes and tomatoes with chilis (plus their juice) to the pot.
- Add drained and rinsed beans. Gently stir to incorporate so that beans are covered with sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.
Barbara says
This is comfort food for a cold day.
Kitchen Ready Betty says
It's the best comfort food for a cold day! So good and cozy.