Best Crock Pot Chili
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Crock Pot Chili is an easy slow cooker recipe that is one of my favorite comfort food recipes! There’s nothing like sitting down to a big bowl of chili on a cold winter night. This recipe is loaded with ground beef, beans, tomato sauce and seasonings. So much flavor after slow cooking all day!
This Crock Pot Chili will warm you up and save you time on a cold day. Try topping it with cheese or enjoy it over tortilla chips for a delicious winter treat.
I love that it’s a mostly “dump and go” recipe that can cook all day long, just like this Crockpot Italian Chicken.
Simply brown the hamburger, mix everything together in the crockpot and then let it simmer to develop the flavors. If getting it ready in the morning stresses you out a short cut is to prep everything the night before. Then just pull it out of the fridge and pop it in your slow cooker!
Another one of my favorite twists on this recipe is Crock Pot Chili Mac! The kids LOVE this because it include noodles! Or, if you have a pressure cooker, you might like to try my Instant Pot Chili.
Why You’ll Love this Crock Pot Chili Recipe!
The longer you cook chili, the better it tastes. Simmer it all day long in your slow cooker for the best, most flavorful chili ever. Here’s why you’ll love it!
- Win your time back! With this recipe, you can set it and forget it once your chili ingredients are in the crock pot.
- Prep is quick. Just add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans, and you’re cooking.
- Savory ground beef makes this chili filling and satisfying.
- Cumin, oregano, chili powder, and garlic salt bring all the bold flavor you want in a hot bowl of chili.
- Top it off with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings for a well-rounded meal.
Is Chili Better In Slow Cooker?
We believe it is! The longer you chili cooks the more the flavors meld together. That’s why slow cooking it all day long results in the best, most flavorful chili!
Crockpot Chili Ingredients
- Hamburger – Ground beef adds extra protein, texture, and flavor to this chili. Be sure to drain it once it’s browned to keep that extra grease out.
- Canned diced tomatoes – Pre-diced tomatoes are a breeze to use, and you won’t have to chop them yourself. We use petite to sneak them by the kids but plain diced tomatoes will work fine too.
- Onion – Onion adds a nice dose of flavor, especially as it slow-cooks with the rest of the ingredients.
- Tomato sauce – Canned tomato sauce helps make a base for your chili with minimal effort.
- Chili beans – Prepared chili beans often have extra seasoning added. So you’ll have a variety of beans and an extra dose of flavor in your chili.
- Chili powder – The essential spice in the chili, you can use less chili powder if you prefer, but I wouldn’t leave it out.
- Garlic salt – This adds a savory flavor and aroma that’s impossible to resist.
- Cumin – An essential chili spice, cumin brings a warm, earthy flavor.
- Oregano – Oregano’s pungent, lightly floral taste adds dimension to this dish.
Toppings For Crock Pot Chili
Here are a few of our favorite chili toppings!
- Shredded Cheese
- Chopped onions
- Jalapenos
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped avocados
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Fritos
How to Make Slow Cooker Chili
- Brown the hamburger and onions in a skillet. Drain the excess grease off once it’s cooked.
- Stir all the ingredients together in a large Crock Pot.
- Cook on high heat for 3-4 hour or low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Once the chili is ready, top it off with sour cream, cheese, green onions, or whichever toppings you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
If you want more comforting sides with your Crock Pot Chili, say no more. Pour it over a big slice of warm Cornbread, or have a slice on the side with real butter.
For some lighter sides, air-fryer Corn on the Cob is super easy to make and a treat to eat. Finally, a traditional Seven Layer Salad can be made ahead of time for the easiest dinner ever!
The best way to tone down a chili that’s too spicy is by adding more beans or tomatoes. Topping it with dairy products like sour cream or cheese will also mellow out the spice.
We like to make things easy, so we chose to use canned chili beans because there are spices mixed into the beans. If you’d rather mix in more of your own spices, kidney beans are also a great option.
Yes, you can. We recommend cooking it on high so the internal temperature comes up to 140 degrees F within 2 hours, which is a safe temperature
Here’s the Instant Pot Chili recipe with directions!
If you don’t have a slow cooker this can also be made on the stove top. Brown the onion and ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain off excess fat. Then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 2 hours over low heat.
How to Store Leftover Chili
This is a large batch chili recipe so you will have leftovers unless you are serving it at a party!
Refrigerator: Let the chili come to room temperature and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: To further extend the life of chili it is freezer friendly. Freeze any leftovers in a freezer friendly container or heavy duty freezer bags for up to 6 months.
WOW I’m glad I tried this Crockpot Chili again. It’s simply amazing. It will quickly become your family’s go-to recipe for chili! The secret….cumin.
Curl up in front of your fireplace with a big bowl of this easy crockpot chili and warm up!
More great chili recipes!
- Nothing beats the flavor of this Crock Pot White Chili recipe!
- Can’t decide between chili and pasta? Make this Crock Pot Chili Mac for the best of both worlds!
- Need a smaller batch? This Stove Top Chili is the perfect size for feeding a family for dinner.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground beef
- 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (14.5 oz each)
- 1 medium onion diced
- 30 oz can tomato sauce
- 15.5 oz can chili beans
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat sauté ground beef and onion until it's cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Transfer ground beef and onions to a 6 quart slow cooker. Add the rest of ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours.
- Top with sour cream and cheese if desired.
Tips
After a hour add chili powder, garlic salt, cumin and oregano. Simmer for an additional 2 hours. Top with sour cream and cheese if desired.
ruth A burke says
I want to make it but just half so do I just split the spices ib half also?
Julie says
Yes, half all of the ingredients.
Lincoln Fehling says
Very good information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Maggie says
Will this all fit in a 6qt crockpot?
Julie says
Yes!
Penny says
I need to double the recipe so do I double each of the ingredients?
Julie says
Yes.
Toni says
Exceptional chili!! We personalized it to fit our needs by adding a Tablespoon of unsweetened chocolate and one cup of strongly brewed coffee. It gave the depth of flavor we like.
Julie says
That is really interesting, Toni! Thanks for sharing, I’m glad you loved it!
Jonathon G says
We love this recipe as our inspiration! For our own spin we double the beans (2 cans chili beans, one can black beans, one can kidney beans – drain all the juices before adding), double the spices, and halve the water. That all makes for a more think and flavorful chili.
Julie says
Glad you enjoy it!
Kayla says
Hi! I’m making this right now, but only using 1 lb of meat. Should I cut the other ingredients in 1/3 for it to turn out right? or maybe just a little less of the other ingredients for a less meaty chili?
Julie Evink says
It will just be less meaty and a little bit less thick.
Kayla says
So I did 1lb beef, and then did 1/2 of the other ingredients. And I didn’t have 8 hours so I put it on high for 4 hours. It is AMAZING! Soo good. Definitely going to be a repeat in our house! Thank you!
Julie says
Awesome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Morgan Tyner says
This recipe is just amazing!! So easy, too. Thank you so much for sharing!
Julie says
You’re welcome!
Cam says
Hello, i want to cook this while at work. I work a 9-5 in the mornings so will i be okay to mix this together in the morning before work and it still be fine when i get home? I was mainly concerned about not being able to stir it …. crockpot recipes are my favorite because of work. Hopefully i can try it!!
Julie says
I think it would be okay on low, you might want to use a crock pot bag just to save some clean-up time as it could get stuck to the sides without stirring during the day.
Barbara says
This chili was excellent, the only reason I gave it only 4 stars was because it had to much tomato for my taste. I also added double the chili powder than the recipe called for. I have tried lots of your recipes and they all are awesome. Thanks Julie!!!
Julie says
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Kinga says
In the ingredients list it shows 2c water but in the video there is no water added so I’m wondering if it’s necessary. I personally don’t want to add it as I like my chili more chunky less watery.
Julie says
That is up to you! You can leave it out, it is just there to thin it out a bit.
Cam says
Hello, i want to cook this while at work. I work a 9-5 in the mornings so will i be okay to mix this together in the morning before work and it still be fine when i get home? I was mainly concerned about not being able to stir it …. crockpot recipes are my favorite because of work. Hopefully i can try it!!
Rebekah says
How would you divide the ingredients for 1 lb of meat?
Jacqueline says
Silk long John’s under your dress pants is the key 🙂 They really insulate! Love this recipe. Thank you.
Julie says
That is genius! I’ll have to try it!
Naiomi says
Do I drain the beans first?
Julie Evink says
No they are not drained.
Ely says
I completely forgot to brown the meat. I simply just mixed everything together ? it’s been cooking on low for the past 9 hours, is it still any good?
Julie Evink says
I would check to see if the meat is cooked through? I honestly have no idea!