This easy slow cooker chili is the perfect meal for busy days, combining ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a homemade chili seasoning mix that melds into a rich, flavorful stew. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a tender, juicy beef chili full of deep, savory flavor. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s sure to please everyone, from kids to adults.
Whether you’re looking for a comforting dinner on a chilly evening or a crowd-pleasing dish for a party, this slow cooker chili delivers. The best part? You can make it ahead of time and let the flavors develop as it simmers away in the slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
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Set it and forget it: Once you have everything in the slow cooker, just let it cook while you go about your day.
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Tender beef: Slow cooking gives the beef time to break down, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful.
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Versatile: You can add extra ingredients or toppings based on what you have on hand.
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Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers or freeze them for later.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chili
This hearty chili is made with simple ingredients that come together to create the most flavorful base for your chili:
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Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90% lean or 93% lean) works best for a juicy, flavorful chili. If your beef is fattier, just drain the excess fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
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Onion and Garlic: These aromatics provide a great base for the chili, infusing the beef with flavor.
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Beans: The classic beans for chili are kidney beans (dark red) and black beans. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the pot.
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Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce: Canned diced tomatoes with juice and tomato sauce give the chili its saucy texture. Adding diced tomatoes with green chilies brings in extra flavor and a slight kick.
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Chili Seasoning: A simple homemade seasoning blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper gives the chili that classic chili flavor.
Optional for extra spice:
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Hot Sauce: For a little extra heat, add hot sauce when serving.
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Spicy Chili Powder or Cayenne Pepper: You can add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne if you like it spicier.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chili
Making chili in the slow cooker couldn’t be easier. Follow these simple steps for a flavorful and tender chili:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Sauté the Ground Beef and Onions:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up into small pieces until browned (about 4-5 minutes). Add the diced onion and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and the chili seasonings: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker. -
Add the Remaining Ingredients to the Slow Cooker:
To the slow cooker, add the rinsed and drained beans, diced tomatoes with juice, diced tomatoes and green chilies with juice, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. -
Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chili is done when the flavors have melded together, and the beef is tender. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the chili hot, topped with your favorite chili toppings.
Chili Toppings
Topping your chili with extra ingredients is one of the best parts of this dish! Here are a few options to get creative with:
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Shredded cheese: Mild cheddar, Mexican blend, or even queso fresco.
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Sour cream: It balances the heat and adds creaminess.
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Fresh cilantro: For a pop of color and fresh flavor.
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Chopped onions: Green onions or red onions add a nice crunch.
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Sliced avocado: For richness and a cooling effect.
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Jalapeños: Fresh or pickled for a spicy kick.
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Tortilla chips or pita chips: For a bit of crunch on the side.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chili
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Chili Bowls: Serve the chili in bowls, topped with your favorite ingredients. Pair it with tortilla chips or pita chips on the side for dipping.
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Chili Cheese Dip: Turn the chili into a dip by sprinkling shredded cheese over it and serving with chips.
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Chili Dogs: Top hot dogs with chili and shredded cheese to make chili cheese dogs.
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Chili Stuffed Baked Potatoes: A hearty option where you top a baked potato with hot chili and your favorite toppings.
Storing Leftovers
Slow cooker chili makes great leftovers! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing:
You can also freeze the chili for up to 3 months. Just allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.
Pro Tip: If you’ve served the chili with noodles, store the noodles separately from the chili to prevent the pasta from soaking up all the sauce.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Chili recipe is a hands-off, hearty meal that’s perfect for busy days or feeding a crowd. With rich flavors, juicy beef, and a touch of spice, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Serve it with a variety of toppings, and don’t forget to enjoy the leftovers—they taste even better the next day!
Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
Description
Make the perfect Slow Cooker Chili with ground beef, beans, tomato sauce, and a homemade chili seasoning. This easy recipe takes just 10 minutes of prep time and simmers for 3-4 hours, creating the juiciest, most flavorful chili. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this dish can be customized with your favorite toppings like cheese, avocado, and sour cream.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 lbs lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp cumin powder
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (30 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilis, with juice
1 can (30 oz) tomato sauce.
Instructions
Cook the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs ground beef and cook for about 4-5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until it releases fat. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add Onions and Garlic
Add 1 large diced onion to the skillet and cook until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, along with 2 tsp cumin powder, 2 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to release the spices’ aroma.
Transfer to Slow Cooker
Transfer the beef mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients: 1 can black beans, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilis, and 1 can tomato sauce. Stir everything to combine.
Slow Cook
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Stir occasionally, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve
Once the chili is ready, serve hot with your favorite toppings. You can add shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado slices, or sliced jalapeños for extra flavor.
Notes
Pro Tips:
Adjust heat level: For spicier chili, add cayenne pepper or jalapeños.
Use lean beef for a healthier version, but feel free to swap in ground turkey or chicken.
Double or triple the recipe for meal prep. Store in portions for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
FAQs about Slow Cooker Chili:
Can I use different beans?
Yes! Feel free to swap the beans based on what you have. Pinto beans, black-eyed peas, or white beans also work well.
Can I make this chili spicy?
Yes! Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or jalapeños to kick up the heat. You can also add extra chili powder for more spice.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, this chili is great for meal prep. You can assemble the ingredients the night before and let it cook in the slow cooker when you’re ready to eat.
What are some other serving suggestions?
Serve the chili with cornbread, rice, or even top it with grated cheese and sour cream for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
