The Effortless Crock Pot Chili Recipe Everyone Will Love

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of hearty slow cooker chili that promises to warm you from the inside out.

Packed with robust flavors and tender meat, this easy crock pot chili recipe delivers a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Weeknight dinners become a breeze when you can toss ingredients into the pot and let them simmer to perfection.

Rich, savory, and deeply satisfying, this chili turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that sparks conversation around the table.

The blend of spices creates a depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Minimal prep and maximum taste make this recipe a weeknight champion that’ll become a staple in your cooking repertoire.

Grab a ladle and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort that’ll make your taste buds dance with delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

Total Time: Up to 8 hours

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Crock Pot Chili

• Ground Beef: Delivers rich, hearty flavor and provides substantial protein for a filling meal, choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Onion: Adds depth and aromatic foundation, select fresh firm onions without soft spots or bruising.

• Diced Tomatoes: Creates tangy tomato base and adds moisture, opt for no-salt-added varieties for better sodium control.
• Tomato Sauce: Enhances smooth texture and intensifies tomato flavor, look for high-quality brands with minimal additives.
• Chili Powder: Brings classic southwestern warmth and signature chili taste, choose fresh ground powder for maximum flavor punch.
• Cumin: Contributes earthy, smoky undertones typical in authentic chili recipes, select whole seeds and grind for maximum freshness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and elevates overall seasoning profile, use freshly ground black pepper for best results.

• Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy richness and cooling contrast, select full-fat versions for most luxurious finish.

Chili-Making Tools for Your Crock Pot

• Large skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and onions evenly.
• 6-quart slow cooker: Crucial for simmering and melding chili ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping onions before cooking.
• Measuring cups: Useful for accurately portioning ingredients.
• Colander: Great for draining excess grease from cooked beef.

How to Prepare Crock Pot Chili

• Meat Preparation

Brown ground beef with diced onions in a skillet until fully cooked. Drain off excess fat to keep the chili from becoming greasy.

• Slow Cooker Magic

Slide the seasoned meat mixture into the crock pot and introduce all remaining ingredients. Gently mix everything together to distribute flavors evenly.

• Cooking Time

Allow the chili to simmer quietly in the slow cooker. On high setting, it will develop rich flavors in about 3-4 hours. If you prefer a slower approach, use the low setting for 6-8 hours, which helps ingredients meld beautifully.

• Serving Suggestions

Ladle the hearty chili into deep bowls. Top with cool sour cream, sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese, or add fresh chopped green onions for extra zest. Crusty bread makes an excellent companion to this comforting meal.

Easy Crock Pot Chili Tips & Ideas

• Mix ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that still delivers rich flavor.
• Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to increase heat and create a bolder chili experience.
• Prepare the entire recipe the night before, refrigerate, and start your slow cooker in the morning for a hassle-free dinner.
• Store extra chili in airtight containers for up to 3 months, creating a convenient meal for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.

Serving Suggestions for Crock Pot Chili

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Transform this hearty chili into the star of your evening meal, gathering loved ones around a warm, comforting dish that sparks conversation and creates lasting memories.
• Loaded Chili Bar Extravaganza: Set up a toppings station with chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, jalapeños, diced avocado, and multiple cheese varieties, letting everyone customize their perfect bowl of chili.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve this chili in large mugs or small bowls during sports events, pairing it with cornbread, tortilla chips, or crusty bread for a satisfying and crowd-winning meal that keeps everyone fueled and happy.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Repurpose remaining chili by using it as a topping for baked potatoes, stuffing into quesadillas, or serving over rice for a quick and delicious next-day lunch that tastes even better than the original.

Meal Prep for Crock Pot Chili

• Chili Batch Magic: Prepare a double recipe and freeze half for future quick meals, saving time and effort on busy weeknights.
• Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify with each passing day.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags, storing for up to 3 months without losing taste or texture.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide chili into individual serving sizes before refrigerating or freezing, making reheating convenient and preventing unnecessary waste.

Hearty Crock Pot Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: Up to 8 hours
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty slow-cooked beef chili delivers robust southwestern flavors through tender meat and rich spices. Perfect for chilly evenings, home cooks can enjoy this comforting classic with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) ground beef
• 2 cans (14.5 oz or 411 g each) petite diced tomatoes
• 1 can (30 oz or 850 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15.5 oz or 440 g) chili beans
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 tbsps chili powder
• 4 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
• 2 cups (480 ml) water

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is completely browned, meticulously draining excess fat.
2. Crock Pot Assembly: Transfer seasoned meat into slow cooker, spreading evenly across ceramic surface and creating a robust flavor foundation.
3. Liquid and Spice Integration: Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder, stirring comprehensively to create a harmonious blend of ingredients.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover with lid and set temperature – choose high for 3-4 hours of rapid flavor development or low for 6-8 hours of gradual infusion, allowing spices to permeate and meld together.
5. Final Touches: Once cooking completes, taste and calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
6. Serving Presentation: Ladle steaming chili into deep bowls, embellishing with optional garnishes like sour cream, cheddar cheese, or fresh cilantro to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent oily, heavy chili and ensure a cleaner, more robust flavor profile.
• Spice Balance Matters: Adjust spice quantities gradually, tasting as you go to create a personalized heat level that suits your palate without overwhelming the dish.
• Low and Slow Technique: Choose the low-temperature setting for deeper, more developed flavors that allow spices and ingredients to marry completely during extended cooking.
• Toppings Transform Texture: Experiment with fresh garnishes like crisp green onions, crunchy corn chips, or zesty jalapeños to add exciting layers of taste and mouthfeel to your finished chili.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg