The Best Crockpot Chili Recipe
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This easy crockpot chili recipe is loaded with beans, ground beef, and seasonings. It really is the best slow cooker chili recipe ever!
We like to serve the delicious chili topped with cheddar cheese and with a side of jiffy corn casserole or a basket of 7up biscuits or buttermilk biscuits for a hearty, filling dinner.
If you love easy comfort food recipes, have I got a treat for you…
Easy Crockpot Chili
A big bowl of slow cooker chili is the ultimate comfort food. That is why it is one of our favorite meals. The whole family loves it!
What makes this the best chili recipe is the perfect blend of seasonings and the fact that it cooks low and slow for several hours, which helps add depth to the flavors. Give the easy chili recipe a try and I am sure that it will become your go-to chili recipe, too!
Plus, you can’t beat how easy this beef chili crock pot recipe is to make. The crockpot does all the work! It is the perfect meal to throw together in the morning ahead of busy days. That way dinner will be ready when you are. Coming home to a pot of chili slow cooking all day is seriously one of my favorite things!
For more crockpot dinner ideas, try our crockpot Frito pie, crockpot brown sugar garlic chicken thighs, and Salisbury steaks in the crockpot.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Garlic
- Beans – I like to use all red kidney beans but you can use a variety of beans if you’d like. Black beans, pinto beans, and chili beans are all good options.
- Crushed tomatoes
- Distilled white vinegar – this “secret ingredient” adds just a touch of acid to round out the flavor. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the vinegar!
- Seasonings – Chili powder, ground cumin, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper.
CHILI SEASONING MIX: You can also use 4-5 Tablespoons of chili seasoning mix instead of the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Then add a pinch of crushed red pepper if desired.
How to Make Chili in the Slow Cooker
I also love how easy this chili is to make.
Simply brown the raw ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet, then add it to your crockpot along with all the remaining ingredients. Set to low heat and cook for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-4 hours.
Then go about your day and come home to a delicious slow-cooked dinner.
Can dinner be this quick and easy every night, please?
Storage
To store leftover chili, allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for longer-term storage.
We like to enjoy leftover chili on chili dogs with tortilla chips the next day – so flavorful!
Topping Ideas
For the ultimate bowl of chili try adding some tasty toppings:
- shredded cheese
- sour cream
- hot sauce
- corn chips
- avocados
- jalapenos
- chopped bell peppers
- diced tomatoes
- chopped onion
- cilantro
- green onions
My favorite topping? Shredded cheese. It melts right into the steaming hot chili and gives it a bit of added creaminess. So good!
What are your favorite chili toppings?
FAQ: Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe with Ground Beef
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef in this chili recipe. Ground turkey is a leaner alternative and will work well in this dish.
Yes, you can easily adjust the spiciness of the chili to suit your taste. If you prefer a milder chili, reduce the amount of chili powder and crushed red pepper. For those who enjoy a spicier kick, increase the amounts or add a little bit of your favorite hot sauce or some diced jalapeños.
Yes, you can adapt this slow cooker recipe for stove top cooking. After browning the ground beef, onions, and garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven, add the remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust the cooking time as needed until the flavors meld together.
If you love chili, be sure to give my chili cheese dog casserole, easy 3-ingredient chili (stove top recipe), and slow cooker chili mac a try as well!
Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 medium onions diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 4 15 ounce cans kidney beans drained
- 2 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes with juice
- 2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- pinch crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
- Add beef mixture and all remaining ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high for 2-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I’m making this today
missing one can of brown beans and 2 tbsp brown sugar
Why the vinegar though?
The vinegar is a “secret ingredient” that adds just a touch of acid to round out the flavor. You won’t taste it I promise 🙂
Can I half this recipe?
Yes, you can–although it is also great left over 🙂 Enjoy!
Awesome! I just have myself to cook for so even with half of this I’ll have quite a bit leftover. It’s hard to find meals for one 😆
can I can this in water bath?
I’m sorry I am not very knowledgeable in canning and haven’t tried myself.
No, you need a pressure canner to can this https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_05/chili_con_carne.html
Made this chili recipe the other day for home and work, I substituted the ground meat for ground bison, used pinto beans cause store was out of kidney beans, didn’t add the vinegar (really cause I forgot. Oops) I use 1 big can of crushed tomatoes and 1 big can of petite diced tomatoes.. and because I first cooked it on the stove due to time and I like my chili more soupy I added 1 15 oz can of water. This was the best chili recipe I’ve found yet
Should I leave the drainer in the pressure cooker or remove it before I pour the ingredients inside? Should I add some liquid at the bottom of the pressure cooker (broth or water)?
This chili recipe is for the slow cooker / crockpot.
What size crockpot?
I use my 7-quart crockpot but you should be okay with a 5 or 6-quart.
What size of slow cooker
I make this most often in my 7-quart slow cooker. You would be fine with a 6-quart and possibly even a 5-quart.
I would like to know why the vinegar?? You already have acid in the tomatoes you should use a pinch or two of sugar to cut the acid.
Will be making this chili very soon It looks so easy