This super easy crockpot chili is THE BEST Chili Recipe because it’s filled with ground beef, three types of beans and the perfect blend of chili spices.
I’ve been making this homemade Crockpot Chili Recipe for years, and it’s always a family favorite. I wanted to take the time to update the photos and share this delicious classic chili recipe with you again.
The Best Chili Recipe:
- What makes this the very BEST homemade chili recipe? Well, this thick and hearty chili only takes a few minutes of prep work and then it’s slow cooked to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
- The chili is filled with spices like: chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and red pepper flakes with just a touch of sugar to give it perfect balance.
- Start by browning some ground beef in a skillet, drain and then add the beef to your slow cooker.
CrockPot Chili Recipe Variations:
- For this recipe I am using ground beef, but you can easily substitute ground pork, turkey or chicken in it’s place.
- Make this a vegetarian chili recipe by omitting the ground beef entirely.
- Switch out the red bell pepper for a green bell pepper if desired.
- Add some diced jalapeños to the chili for an even spicier version!
Do You Have to Brown Beef Before Slow Cooking?
Yes, it’s a good idea to brown the ground beef in a skillet before slow cooking. Break the beef up with a wooden spoon to crumble it, making it easier to eat, then drain off any excess fat from the skillet before adding it to the crockpot.
Chili Ingredients and Spices:
- I’m using three of my favorite beans – dark kidney beans, black beans and pinto beans. Feel free to swap out any of your favorites!
- The best chili starts with a good base of tomato sauce. I add in a mixture of seasoned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato puree.
- All that’s left are the combination of spices. You probably already have these classics in your pantry!
Let the flavors blend on low for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can bump it up to high for 3 to 4 hours.
The Best Chili Toppings:
Of course you can enjoy a big bowl of this thick chili without any toppings, but my favorite thing to do with chili is load it up with some of my favorites.
- Sour cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Avocado Slices
- Corn Chips
What Goes Well With Chili For Dinner?
Pair your perfect bowl of chili with any one of these delicious side dishes for an out of this world meal!
Give this thick and hearty chili a try in your slow cooker!
HELPFUL PRODUCTS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
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The Best Chili Recipe
This thick and hearty Chili Recipe is filled with ground beef, beans and the perfect blend of spices, then slow cooked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 red bell pepper; seeded and chopped
- 1/2 onion; diced
- 1– 15oz. can pinto beans
- 1– 15oz. can kidney beans
- 1– 15oz. can black beans
- 1– 15oz. can tomato sauce
- 1– 10oz can tomato puree
- 1– 10oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (chili fixin’s)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Brown ground beef till no longer pink, drain, and add to crock pot.
- To the crock pot add the bell pepper, onion, all the beans (drain about 85% of the liquid from the beans before adding to the slow cooker), tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Add all the spices, and give it a good stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Notes
Top your chili with sour cream and shredded cheese if desired. Can be frozen for up to 5 months.
Keywords: Slow Cooker, Crockpot, Thick and Hearty, The Best
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How many jalapeños would you add to this to spice it up without killing anyone?
Without killing anyone?! HAHA! I don’t know, you might want to start with just one and go from there. 😉
This is a great and easy recipe. I have tried a few other recipes but I really enjoyed this one. My husband says it has the right amount of spice
★★★★★
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can I put all of the ingredients in a crock pot over night but then actually put it on the heat cook it the next day?
Hey Carlie, you can definitely do that! Hope you enjoy!
Loved the chili!! Spices were just right. I always cook chili on the stove top and it works just as well as the slow cooker.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it Chloe!
How do I make it less watery
Well, it’s pretty thick on it’s own, but you can add a tablespoon of flour to the spices when you’re stirring them into the chili mixture.
Did you update the recipe???? I’ve used it soooo many times but this doesn’t seem like the one I used to use!
★★★★
Hi Courtney, I did update the recipe just a smidgen, but here is all I did. I took out the flour (I didn’t feel like it needed it anymore) and I added a tablespoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and tomato paste. If you’re wanting to make it the original way, you can add 1 tbsp of flour and remove the sugar (oh and add a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce). Hope that helps!
I made this yesterday, for my husband and mom, who are chili lovers and it’s was all thumbs up! Delicious!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it Annie!
Made this a few times, had a few slight changes. I start cooking onions in skillet then throw in the ground beef to cook.
I also cut 4-5 jalapeno and 3 Anaheim peppers, fine cut jalapenos and rough cut Anaheim peppers. Gives it the right amount of heat. When adding the tomato sauce abd spices also try a cup of merlot. Awsome
★★★★★
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
If I add the whole can of stuff will it make it to watery?
No, you should be fine. It just wont be as thick.
So I did make this yesterday. It’s quick, easy, and very tasty. It was good yesterday and even better today. Thanks Shawn.
★★★★★
Awesome! Thanks for coming back and commenting, Marilyn!
I would love to try this recipe
Try adding a can of beer and a tbls. Of Ole bay seafood seasoning to the chili
It’s supposed to be rainy here, (Fresno, CA) all weekend. This will make for a great dinner on a wet and cold day. Can’t wait for it to smell up the house with all that wonderful comfort-food smell. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I’ve made this twice now. My family was in shock and awe over how good it was! I love the fact that you add several different ingredients. It’s far from boring. Of course, i tweeked it a bit, but I wanted to say thank you and give you some thanks for this great recipe!
I just came across your site. I am very excited to try the one bowl chocolate chip banana bread. I also printed the asparagus pasta salad. Thank you for sharing..
Can you make this on a stove top ?
I have not tested this recipe on the stove top, although you could try it.