The Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Recipe Everyone Will Love

Crafting a mouthwatering easy slow cooker chili brings comfort to your weeknight dinner routine.

Hearty beans and tender meat simmer together, creating layers of robust flavor.

Cold evenings demand warm, satisfying meals that fill your kitchen with delicious aromas.

Our straightforward approach transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish anyone can master.

Rich spices blend seamlessly, promising a meal that warms you from the inside out.

Minimal prep means maximum enjoyment, letting you relax while dinner practically cooks itself.

Come hungry and leave completely satisfied with this incredible one-pot wonder.

Slow Cooker Chili That Warms You Without The Work

Hassle-Free Meal Prep: This chili recipe requires minimal hands-on time, letting your slow cooker do all the hard work while you go about your day.

Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Simply toss ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it – perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without constant attention.

Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with rich flavors and hearty ingredients, this chili delivers a satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Loaded with protein from ground beef and kidney beans, plus vegetables and spices, this recipe offers a balanced and nutritious meal that comes together in a single pot.

Chili Recipe Built For A Slow Cooker

• Lean Ground Beef: Rich protein source that forms the hearty foundation of the chili, best when freshly ground.
• Olive Oil: Helps brown the meat and release deep flavors, choose extra virgin for best quality.

• Large Yellow Onion, Garlic: Provide essential depth and savory undertones, crucial for building robust flavor profile.

• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, Tomato Sauce, Beef Broth: Create the liquid base with tangy and rich tomato character, adding moisture and complexity to the chili.

• Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Paprika, Ground Coriander: Traditional spice combination that delivers warm, earthy chili flavor, each contributing unique taste notes.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Granulated Sugar: Secret ingredients that balance and round out the overall taste profile.

• Dark Red Kidney Beans, Light Red Kidney Beans: Provide protein, texture, and authentic chili substance, adding heartiness to the dish.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Classic topping that adds creamy richness and sharp flavor contrast.
• Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing all other ingredients.

Slow Cooker Chili Prep Guide

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat a skillet over medium flame.

Gently sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent and release their delightful fragrance, creating a flavor-packed base for your chili.

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Garlic

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

Transfer the aromatic mixture to your slow cooker.

Add ground beef and create a robust flavor profile by incorporating a symphony of spices and liquids that will transform into a mouthwatering chili.

• Ground beef
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Coriander
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Let the slow cooker work its magic, allowing the ingredients to meld together and develop deep, rich flavors.

Choose between low setting for 6-8 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours.

Step 4: Add Hearty Beans

During the final hour of cooking, introduce kidney beans to add texture and additional protein to your chili.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and crown with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

Prepare for a comforting meal that warms both body and soul.

What Pros Do When Making Slow Cooker Chili

• Brown ground beef before adding to slow cooker to enhance flavor and prevent tough texture.
• Include cocoa powder for rich, complex undertones that make chili taste more sophisticated and robust.
• Add kidney beans during the last hour of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy and maintain their ideal texture.
• Adjust chili powder and add cayenne pepper for those who enjoy extra spiciness without overwhelming the dish.
• Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese instead of pre-packaged for better melting and more authentic flavor profile.

Slow Cooker Chili Best Way To Keep And Heat

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pack cooled chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 4 months.
• Warm chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth if needed to maintain moisture.
• Transfer chili to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated.

Tasty Companions for Slow Cooker Chili

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel complements the hearty chili's rich flavors, cutting through the spiciness while enhancing the meat's depth.
• Chill with Craft Beer Companion: Select a malty amber ale or dark porter that matches the chili's robust profile, providing a smooth, complementary drinking experience with hints of roasted undertones.
• Freshen with Crisp Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the chili's heaviness, adding bright acidity and refreshing crunch to the meal.
• Elevate with Cornbread Sidekick: Prepare warm, slightly sweet cornbread that absorbs the chili's sauce, offering a perfect textural contrast and traditional Southwestern-style accompaniment.

Slow Cooker Chili Switch-Ups

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced extra-firm tofu. Add more beans like black beans or pinto beans for protein boost.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Increase chili powder and add diced green chilies or jalapeños. Include corn kernels and swap paprika for smoked paprika for deeper flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Lean Protein Chili: Use ground turkey instead of beef. Verify all spices are certified gluten-free. Add quinoa for additional texture and nutritional value.
• Low-Sodium Version: Eliminate added salt. Use low-sodium beef broth and no-salt-added diced tomatoes. Season with fresh herbs like cilantro or oregano for enhanced taste without sodium.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork for a different flavor profile.

• Is it possible to make this chili spicier?

Absolutely! Add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or increase the amount of chili powder to boost the heat level according to your preference.

• Do I need to brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?

While not mandatory, browning the ground beef first helps develop deeper flavor and reduces excess fat in the final dish.

• Can I make this chili recipe vegetarian?

You can replace the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or additional beans like black beans or pinto beans for a delicious vegetarian version.

Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Slow Cooker Chili brings robust southwestern flavors to your dinner table with minimal kitchen effort. Packed with ground beef, beans, and rich spices, this comforting meal wraps you in warmth and satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Proteins:

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) lean ground beef
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can dark red kidney beans
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can light red kidney beans

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 (14.5 oz/411 g) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 3 (8 oz/227 g) cans tomato sauce

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef broth
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Transfer the golden-tinged aromatic mixture into the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the robust chili.
3. Introduce ground beef to the slow cooker, breaking it into small crumbles and mixing thoroughly with the onion and garlic foundation.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, creating a rich liquid environment for the chili to develop its deep flavors.
5. Sprinkle a harmonious blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, cocoa powder, sugar, coriander, salt, and pepper over the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of spices.
6. Gently stir all components until well incorporated, allowing the spices to meld and infuse the liquid with complex, layered seasonings.
7. Set the slow cooker to low temperature and let the chili simmer for 6-7 hours, allowing the flavors to intensify and the meat to become incredibly tender.
8. During the final hour of cooking, introduce kidney beans, stirring them gently into the bubbling mixture to warm through and absorb the surrounding flavors.
9. Once cooking is complete, ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls and crown with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.

Notes

• Brown the meat thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker to lock in deep, rich flavors and prevent a watery texture.
• Drain excess fat from ground beef to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner-tasting chili.
• Use low-sodium broth and adjust salt levels to control overall sodium content for health-conscious individuals.
• For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans and increase spices for robust taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg