This post may contain affiliate links. Please see myย disclosure policy
Crock Pot Chili – thick and hearty chili made in the crock pot. Easy, delicious, and super comforting for a cold day!
On a cold day nothing beats a big bowl of chili or soup! When I was growing up my dad wasn’t a big soup fan, so we always had chili as soon as it got cold out. And it is still what I turn to, it is just do filling and delicious.
And if you know me, you know I can’t have soup without some kind of bread. And chili is always served with The Best Cornbread Recipe in my house. If you don’t like your cornbread sweet, don’t worry I have you covered with Southern Style Cornbread as well!
Crockpot Chili
A big bowl of chili is great on a cold night, but it is often best when it simmers for a couple of hours. And honestly, who has time for that?! I don’t want chili to just be for a weekend when I have time, I want it any day of the week! So that is why this crock pot chili comes in handy. You really just let it simmer all day in the slow cooker, and you can dig in right when you get home.
Or if you want it done fast you can go the pressure cooker route and make Instant Pot Turkey Chili. Use ground beef or ground turkey and the recipe is the same/
What’s In Crock Pot Chili
- Vegetable Oil
- Onions
- Ground Beef
- Garlic
- Beer or Beef Broth
- Dark Red Kidney Beans
- Light Red Kidney Beans
- Tomato Sauce
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Chili Powder
- Ground Cumin
- Coriander
- Cayenne Pepper
- Salt & Pepper
I like my chili to be thick and hearty. It has lots of complex flavors without being super spicy or over powering. If you want it spicy, feel free to add more cayenne or even a jalapeno when you cook the onions.
How To Make Crock Pot Chili
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Start by browning the ground beef and onions together in a large skillet.
- Once the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft add the garlic and cook for just a minute or two until you can start to smell it. If there is any fat, drain it away.
- Add the ground beef to the crock pot and pour in the rest of the ingredients. Stir until it is all combined.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
Can You Freeze Chili
Absolutely, this freezes really well. I like to let it cool completely and then store in freezer safe food storage bags, and then store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Then when you want to make it just let it thaw in the fridge and microwave, heat on the stove, or even put in the crock pot on low to heat it through.
Tips for the Best Chili
- Don’t skip the step of browning the onions with the ground beef. You don’t want to have crunchy onions in your chili.
- If you want this to be a dump and go recipe, brown the ground beef and onions ahead of time. Store them in the fridge or freezer and then just dump them in with the rest of the ingredients when you want to make the chili.
- It is best that you not have your turn your crock pot on high when making this. You won’t want the chili to really scorch or cook too quickly. Low and slow is what develops the flavors will chili and makes it delicious.
- Go crazy with the toppings! Sour cream, cheese, chives, onions, jalapenos….you name it!
- Do you like it spicy? Add a jalapeno with the onions or add more cayenne pepper. As written this isn’t meant to be a spicy chili.
How To Serve Chili
We love chili in a bowl with a few toppings, but if you have lots of leftovers or just want to mix things up there are lots of fun ways to serve chili
- Loaded Baked Potatoes – top your baked potatoes (make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes to make them ready even faster) with chili and all the toppings you desire.
- Chili Dogs – Top hot dogs with a scoop of chili and cheese, and then place in the oven to melt the cheese. Such a fun and delicious dinner.
- Over Spaghetti – like they do in Cincinnati! Server over pasta topped with lots of shredded cheese and onions.
- Topped With An Egg – Serve your chili in a tortilla with cheese and top it with an egg. This is the perfect next morning, leftover breakfast.
- Best Cornbread – a must anytime you have chili!
More Comforting Dinner Recipes
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Chicken Enchilada Chili
- Chicken Spinach Alfredo
- Instant Pot Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Jambalaya
- Hot & Sour Soup
- Cheeseburger Pizza
- Vegetable Beef Soup
Crock Pot Chili
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beer or beef stock
- 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 28 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat oil over medium high heat. Add ground beef and onions. Cook until browned and onions are tender.
- Add garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, until it is fragrant. Drain any fat. Pour into crock pot.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the crock pot. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee to say thanks!
.
I will this chili tonight! I have all the ingredients for this recipe!
I’ve made this and everyone loved it! It’s the best chili ever!
Is this recipe for chili gluten free?
Beer is not gluten free, so as written this is not gluten free. If you substitute with beef stock I believe it is, but I would check the brand of ingredients you use to be sure.
If I cook this on high for 3 hrs instead of low for 6, will it be okay?
Yes – you really just need to get it hot, so that should be enough time.
Thank you! Love this chili btw! Itโs always my go-to!
What a perfect use of my crock pot, I will be making this sunday!
Hearty and delicious, perfect comfort food!
A new favorite at my house!! My whole family loved it!
We love chili so much during the cold season! I will definitely try to make it in the crock pot!
Yum! We love chili here! I can’t wait to make chili this week! Looks so delicious and tasty!
This has me SO excited for chili season!
Great chili recipe. I did add black beans, chili beans, and Rotel to this recipe. I didnโt use slow cooker but let it simmer for few hours on low. Delicious!!