Introduction

This Crock Pot Chili is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for any day of the week. With a rich blend of spices, tender ground beef, and beans, it simmers slowly to develop deep, delicious flavors. It’s an easy, hands-off recipe that fills your home with a wonderful aroma.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 tablespoon hot sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, black pepper, and cumin to create your chili seasoning.
Step 2: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any fat and excess liquid.
Step 3: Transfer the browned beef to your crock pot. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, pressed garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans (including liquid), pinto beans (including liquid), hot sauce, and the prepared chili seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Cook on the low setting for 3 to 8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and deepen. When ready, serve hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

For a thicker chili, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate.
Add a diced jalapeño or extra hot sauce for more heat.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Use canned beans without draining to keep the chili saucier and more flavorful.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. This chili also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this chili without a crock pot?

Yes, you can cook the chili on the stovetop in a large pot. After browning the beef and mixing in all ingredients, simmer on low for about 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Do I need to rinse the canned beans before adding them?

No need to rinse the beans. Adding them with their liquid helps keep the chili flavorful and saucy.

Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 209 reviews

This hearty Crock Pot Chili recipe combines ground beef, fresh vegetables, beans, and a blend of flavorful spices slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for a warm, comforting meal, it’s easy to prepare and lets the crock pot do all the work, developing rich, deep flavors over several hours.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 8 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 pounds ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed

Beans and Tomato

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans with liquid
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans with liquid

Seasonings

1 tablespoon hot sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Instructions

Prepare Chili Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, black pepper, and cumin until well combined to create your chili seasoning blend.
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Use a spatula to break up the meat as it cooks. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off all fat and excess liquid to keep the chili from being greasy.
Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot: Add the browned ground beef to the crock pot. Then add the diced onion, diced green bell pepper, pressed garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans with their liquid, pinto beans with their liquid, hot sauce, and the prepared chili seasoning blend. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook the Chili: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 3 to 8 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together. Check seasoning towards the end of cooking and adjust if necessary.
Serve: Once cooked, serve your chili hot with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips.

Notes

For a spicier chili, increase the hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
No need to drain beans as the liquid helps the chili stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your crock pot model.
This chili freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Keywords: crock pot chili, slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, ground beef chili, chili with beans, comfort food, slow cooked chili