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    Home » Real Food » Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes

    Slow Cooker Chili

    February 6, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 11 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This Slow Cooker Chili is the best recipe for classic chili ever! Ground beef, beans, and a homemade chili spice blend are simmered low and slow in the crock-pot with tomatoes for a delicious, hearty crockpot chili recipe. 

    Made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a homemade chili seasoning, this Crockpot Chili develops incredible flavors with minimal effort. 

    This Slow Cooker Chili is one the easiest and most flavorful crockpot recipes. Made with an award-winning chili seasoning, this classic beef and bean chili is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.

    Bowl of Chili  topped with cheese next to Crockpot.

    The Best Chili Recipe

    This is a no-frills, no-fuss recipe for Classic Beef and Bean Chili. It is made with simple ingredients, yet is perfectly seasoned and simmered low and slow in the crockpot to develop the best flavor.

    In fact, I stand to argue that making chili in the slow cooker is the BEST way to make Chilli. Period. Chili needs to be simmered for hours to develop the rich flavor it is known for. Using the slow cooker, allows that to happen completely hands-off!

    Key Ingredients

    Ingredients for chili labeled on white counter.
    • Beef: Use any ground meat you like. I have made this chili with ground beef, ground bison, ground turkey, and ground chicken with delicious results. I do find that the most flavorful chili is made with ground meat with an 85/15 fat ratio.
    • Beans: Use dark or light kidney beans or a combination of both. Pinto beans can be used as well, but kidney beans are the classic choice.
    • Chili Seasoning: For the most flavorful, perfectly seasoned chili, I always turn to my Chili Seasoning Recipe. This homemade blend has the perfect ratio of spices for the most flavorful chili.
    • Tomatoes: I recommend a mixture of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes for flavor and texture.

    How to Make Crockpot Chili

    • In a large non-stick skillet, brown beef with onions over medium-high heat, breaking up as the meat browns.
    • Once the meat is browned, add in the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes longer.
    • Drain off any excess grease.
    Browned beef in skillet next to crockpot
    • Add browned beef mixture to the slow cooker.
    • Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili seasoning.
    Chili inside crockpot
    • Place lid on crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
    Cooked Chili in Slow Cooker
    • Dish out the chili and serve with toppings as desired.
    Bowl of crockpot chili next to toppings.

    Serving Suggestions

    The options for serving chili are endless. I serve with a side of corn chips, chopped onions, pickled jalapenos, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and sour cream, and let people dish out the toppings as desired.

    Some people enjoy chili served over cooked pasta or rice, while others enjoy chili served over a baked potato or baked sweet potato. This chili also makes a delicious base for Tamale Pie.

    How to Store Leftover Chili

    Chili is one of those dishes that tastes better leftover than when served immediately, as the flavors have time to really develop. You can store leftover, cooled chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave at one-minute intervals.

    Stovetop Directions

    If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can also prepare this recipe on the stovetop. Use a large dutch oven and brown the beef with onion and garlic. Drain off the beef and add in the chili seasonings, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes, along with ½ cup water or beer. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours over low heat and then stir in beans and heat for 30 minutes.

    More Delicious Chili Recipes

    • Instant Pot Chili
    • Butternut Squash Chili
    • Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    • Lentil Chili
    • Crockpot Chicken Chili

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    I hope that you enjoy this recipe for Slow Cooker Chili and would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Bowl of chili with corn chips next to crockpot.

    Slow Cooker Chili

    This Slow Cooker Chili is the best recipe for classic chili ever! Ground beef, beans, and a homemade chili spice blend are simmered low and slow in the crock-pot with tomatoes for a delicious, hearty crockpot chili recipe. 
    4.92 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 355kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 29 ounces crushed tomatoes
    • 16 ounces diced tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons chili seasoning see note for recipe
    • 2 cups dark red kidney beans 16 ounce cans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups light red kidney beans 16 ounce can, rinsed and drained
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • In a large non-stick skillet, brown beef with onions over medium-high heat, breaking up as the meat browns.
    • Once the meat is browned, add in the garlic and saute 1-2 minutes longer.
    • Drain off any excess grease and then add to slow cooker. 
    • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili seasoning, mixing to combine well.
    • Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
    • Serve with cheese, sour cream, chips, cornbread, etc

    Equipment Needed

    • 6-8 quart Slow Cooker

    Notes

    Ground Meat: 85/15 ground meat is best, but ground beef, ground bison, ground turkey, and ground chicken all work in this recipe. 
    Spicy Modification: Saute a finely minced, seeded jalapeno, along with the onion and beef for added spice.  
    Beans: Use a mix of dark and light kidney beans or all of one variety. 
    Leftover Chili: Leftover cooled Chili can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. 
    For the Chili Blend Use: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 1208mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1360IU | Vitamin C: 14.3mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 7.1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2017 but updated in 2021 with a video and tips.  

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    Categorized Under: Beef Recipes, Budget Cooking, Dairy-Free Recipes, Gluten Free, Main Courses, Real Food, Slow Cooker Recipes, Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. LR

      January 29, 2023 at 6:25 am

      5 stars
      I love how easily this beef and bean chili was made in the crock pot! It turned out to be so tasty and enjoyable. I'm definitely making this on repeat, thanks Kristen!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 29, 2023 at 7:21 am

        I love hearing that! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Sharina

      January 27, 2023 at 6:00 am

      5 stars
      I added jalapeno in this slow cooker chili as mentioned, it turned out irresistibly good! I can't get enough of it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 27, 2023 at 6:56 am

        Wonderful! I love hearing you enjoyed!

        Reply
    3. Jessica

      January 23, 2023 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely loved having this chili simmer all day. Everyone loved it when they got home and it's now a favorite!

      Reply
    4. Linda

      February 03, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      Just wondering if you drain the diced tomatoes? Also, instead of crushed tomatoes, can you use tomato sauce instead? Thank you, love your recipes!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 03, 2022 at 1:28 pm

        Hi Linda! I am so glad you enjoy my recipes. As for the tomatoes, I don't drain the diced tomatoes. And yes, feel free to use tomato sauce in place of the crushed tomatoes. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Esther

      November 03, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      Thank you so much. You made this look very easy!! 😊

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 03, 2021 at 2:08 pm

        It truly is Esther! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Jane Saunders

      February 28, 2019 at 5:03 am

      5 stars
      Your rendition is just the way I like my chilli. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Carrie

      February 27, 2019 at 10:26 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe. Hard to resist a good bowl of chili. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

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