This super easy crockpot chili is THE BEST Chili Recipe because it’s thick and hearty and filled with ground beef, three types of beans and the perfect blend of chili spices.
Pair this awesome slow cooker chili with my Sweet Cornbread for the perfect southern comfort meal.
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.
Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili
I’m using a combination of canned beans (feel free to swap in your own favorites) as well as diced onion and peppers.
Ingredients for Beef Chili
- Ground Beef – lean ground beef
- Red Bell Pepper – you can use green bell peppers if desired
- Dice Onion – yellow or white onion
- Canned Pinto Beans – drain the canned beans to remove about 85% of their liquid
- 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
How To Make The Best Chili
Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet, drain off any fat and then add it to the slow cooker.
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.
Combine Beans and Spices
Next, add in the diced bell peppers, onions, canned beans (make sure to drain the beans about 85% of the way) and spices, as well as the tomato sauce and puree.
Cook on LOW
Give all the ingredients a good stir, then cover and cook on LOW heat for 6 to 8 hours.
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!
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 Chili 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 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 To Serve With Chili?
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 today!
HELPFUL PRODUCTS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
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The Best Chili Recipe
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
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
Nutrition
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Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Madison Brizzee
Is this gluten free?
Kim
Where do you find a 10oz can of crushed tomatoes? I did make this and got rave reviews. I doubled the recipe and replaced one tbsp chili powder with Chipotle powder. I also just added a can of diced tomatoes in place of crushed. Love all the beans in this. Thank you for a great recipe.
Pam Bon
Absolutely delicious!!! Added 1/2 teaspoon of Smoked Paprika (as suggested by a few Reviewers) and used equal parts of brown sugar with white sugar). Even without these changes, I am sure it would be just as fabulous!
David Jones
Just made this today. The only variation I made was that I added a jalapeno pepper. Mainly because I love jalapenos. 😉 But great recipe!
Star
Excellent recipe. Family loved it. I was going to freeze half of it, but no need;
they ate it all! Thank you.
Sheena Coleman
Amazing! We loved the addition of sugar! We don’t like too much spice so I did 1 tablespoon of chili powder instead of 2. I also didn’t have tomato puree and I used ground turkey. I also sautéed the onions with the ground turkey! So delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Tenby
I have been making this chili for years now, and it still holds up as the best recipe I have ever found. I have shared it with so many friends and family members who have always asked what I do to make such a great bowl of chili!
Nancy
I normally drain and rinse canned beans to help lower sodium content. What can I replace the canned liquid with? More tomato purée? Can’t wait to try this! Looks delicious!
Megan s
I drained and rinsed the beans and replaced the liquid with beef broth
Nikki Rants
I was wondering if it is very spicy or mild? My husband can’t eat super spicy. I want to try it but was wondering if I need to cut back on something so it won’t be too spicy.
Shawn
No, it’s not spicy at all. If you’re still concerned, feel free to reduce the amount of red pepper flakes, or omit them entirely.
Dawn
I will be making this soon and I will be home all day when I do. Do you think I could do this on the stove top low and slow all day and achieve the same results?
Thanks!
Shawn
Yes, as long as you keep a lid on it so it does not lose much moisture. Hope you enjoy it!
Hayley
Used ground chicken instead of ground beef but was absolutely amazing!
Stephanie mills
Just made this chili for canning and oh my goodness it is delicious!! I Made 3 batches of it and added one tsp of smoked pepperrika, 2 cups of beef broth And 1 and 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic! Not perbatch . When I popped open a can I added cowboy candy sour cream and cheese And this has to be the absolute best chili I I’ve ever had!
Stephanie Mills
I made this again today! It is so so delicious! I added the same stuff to it! This has become my family’s favorite chili and I mean mother in-law and all! The smoked Pepperika just takes it to the next level! With out the smoked Pepperika it is still the best chili! Thank you for making this recipe!
Ron
I have a number of Chili recipes and I am also always on the lookout for more. Made this last week and it was great. Even my fussy wife liked it. Can’t find the “Chili Fixin’s” Rotel so just used the mild version.
Carver Shawn
My wife makes a real simple version. 2 large can of while canned tomatoes pureed in a blend with rinsed canned beans 1/2 cup of sugar and a packet of chili-o seasoning. For as simple as it is, it’s pretty dang tasty. I’ll add chopped sweet onion, pepper jack cheese and a splash of tapatio to my bowl, cuz she don’t like spicy. It’s better the next day warmed up after the spices mingle overnight together
AMJ
This is my favorite chili recipe! I’ve always loved the idea of chili but have always been disappointed in the flavor, until this! I definitely think the rotel is a game changer. This is the only chili recipe I make for my family now, and I’m finally satisfied with my chili!
DiB
Very good. Very easy Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I made 3 changes: I used a green pepper instead of red(just a matter of preference); I used brown sugar rather than white; I added celery.
Julia
First time making chili and I used your recipe! I made a few minor tweaks, but holy cow, I think it’s the best chili I’ve ever had! (Added 1/2lb of hot pork sausage to the ground beef. Also added 4 cloves fresh minced garlic to crock pot)
Shawn
Yay! We definitely LOVE this recipe too!
Lauren
This has become my “go-to” chili recipe (I even like it better than my mom’s… shhhh!) It’s incredibly easy to make in the crockpot and has a lot of flavor. It’s also a nice, hearty consistency. When in a pinch, I’ve also made it for dinner on the stovetop. It doesn’t have quite the same amount of flavor, but is still VERY GOOD and takes about an hour. I recommend a good can opener for this recipe.
Ann
I haven’t made chilli in years. I came across this recipe and wow! It was a complete hit with my family. Thick and hearty with a perfect blend of spices to add a wonderful flavour to every spoonful. Make this and enjoy!
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed it Ann!
Bonita Fero
Instead of adding sugar, try adding a small piece of chocolate. It gives it a much bolder flavor. Be careful not to add too much. You can add some. When it melts, taste it, and then add more if necessary.
ANGEL ROSS
I’m not a cook, however I gave this recipe a try!! OMG, it was sooooo delicious that even my mother ate it and said it was so delish, that it put her to sleep. Took some to work for the girls to try and they loved it!!! Spices were definitely on point with a little kick!! Thank you so much Shawn
Shawn
That’s so great to hear!
Dorothy Twining
Can’t wait to try this for my grand kids coming to visit! Next month. Making my shopping list!
Shawn
Hope you all enjoy it Dorothy!
Carol
This Chili recipe is soooo good!! I did use the can of tomato paste (not the puree) and it came out great! I really love the tomato-ey flavor as opposed to a super strong chili or cumin flavor—it has just the right amount of seasoning!
Shawn
The tomato paste will greatly intensify the tomato flavor, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!