Name: The Best Chili Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 370 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef; 1 red bell pepper; seeded and chopped; 1/2 onion; diced; 1- 15 oz. can pinto beans; 1- 15 oz. can kidney beans; 1- 15 oz. can black beans; 1- 15 oz. can tomato sauce; 1- 10 oz can tomato puree; 1- 10 oz 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

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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.

What Makes This The Best Recipe?

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 the perfect blend of spices, beans and hearty ground beef. It’s one of my go-to recipes for feeding a crowd and it also freezes very well.

Ingredients and Spices:

I’m using a combination of canned beans (feel free to swap in your own favorites) as well as diced onion and peppers.

Ground Beef
Red Bell Pepper
Dice Onion
Canned Pinto Beans
Canned Kidney Beans – I prefer the dark red version
Canned Black Beans
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Puree
Rotel Diced Tomatoes
Sugar – just a little to balance the heat
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Cumin
Red Pepper Flakes
Salt & Pepper

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.

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!

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.

Can You Make In The Instant Pot?

Yes! I’ve converted this slow cooker recipe to an easy to follow Instant Pot version. You can find the recipe HERE.

The Best 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 To Serve With?

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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Last updated on September 25, 2020 6:40 am

This crockpot chili recipe is thick and hearty and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner recipe!

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