Slow Cooker Chili Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Food You’ll Keep Coming Back To
Looking for a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make meal that will satisfy your family and guests? This Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is the perfect option! With tender ground beef, a rich tomato base, and a mix of spices that hit all the right notes, this chili is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. Plus, it’s made in a slow cooker, making it an incredibly convenient and hands-off meal. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is simple, customizable, and absolutely delicious.
In this post, you’ll find the full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, tips for making the best chili, and some variations to customize it to your taste. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chili
To make this slow cooker chili, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything right now—this is a flexible recipe you can adjust to your liking!
2 pounds fresh ground beef
Ground beef is the star of this chili recipe. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a leaner option.
1 quart tomato juice
Tomato juice serves as the liquid base for the chili. It provides the perfect consistency while adding a nice, tangy flavor.
1 (29-ounce) can tomato purée
Tomato purée thickens the chili and gives it a rich, deep flavor. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can swap it with crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes.
Additional Seasonings & Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped (optional for extra crunch)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps balance acidity)
1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
Instructions for Slow Cooker Chili
Making chili in a slow cooker is simple! Follow these easy steps to create a warm, savory meal your whole family will love.
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Before you add the beef to the slow cooker, it’s best to brown it on the stovetop to develop more flavor. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Prep the Veggies
While the beef is cooking, chop your onion, bell pepper (if using), and garlic. You can also drain and rinse the beans at this time.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, tomato juice, tomato purée, sugar, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth. Stir everything to combine.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Chili
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The longer you cook it, the more the flavors will meld together, so if you have the time, opt for the low setting. Stir occasionally to ensure the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Once the chili is done, taste it and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a spicier chili, you can add more cayenne pepper or chili powder. If it’s too thick, add a little more beef broth or water to thin it out.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your chili is ready, it’s time to serve! Top with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips for some crunch.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chili
Brown the beef: Don’t skip the step of browning the ground beef! This extra step builds more flavor, and it helps render out the fat, ensuring your chili isn’t greasy.
Customize the heat: You can control the spice level in this recipe by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder. For a milder chili, omit the cayenne and use a mild chili powder.
Beans are optional: If you don’t like beans in your chili, feel free to omit them. You can also use different types of beans, such as pinto beans or navy beans.
Add veggies: For more nutrition and flavor, add extra vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or corn.
Top it off: Toppings make chili extra delicious! Consider adding shredded cheese, cilantro, diced onions, or a dollop of sour cream.
Leftovers taste even better: Chili often tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. This makes it perfect for meal prep or as leftovers.
Variations of Slow Cooker Chili
One of the best things about chili is how customizable it is. Here are a few variations you can try to make this recipe your own:
Beef and Pork Chili: Combine ground beef and ground pork for a different flavor profile. The pork adds a slight sweetness that balances the heat from the chili spices.
Vegetarian Chili: For a meatless version, use extra beans, lentils, and mushrooms. You can replace the beef with textured vegetable protein (TVP) or soy crumbles for a similar texture.
Spicy Chili: If you love heat, add diced jalapeños or a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce to the slow cooker. You can also experiment with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky heat.
Chili with Beer: Add a cup of your favorite beer (preferably a dark beer like stout or porter) for a deep, rich flavor. The alcohol will cook off during the slow cooking process, leaving behind just the great flavor.
Chili with Chocolate: For a rich, complex chili, try adding a square of dark chocolate or a tablespoon of cocoa powder. This is a great way to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and bring out the savory spices.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Hands-off cooking: Once you prep the ingredients, just set it and forget it. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to relax or get other things done.
Feeds a crowd: This recipe makes a large batch, so it’s perfect for family dinners, parties, or meal prep. You can also freeze leftovers for an easy meal later on.
Rich and flavorful: With its slow-cooked beef, savory spices, and robust tomato base, this chili is packed with flavor in every bite.
Customizable: Whether you like it spicy, mild, meaty, or vegetarian, this recipe can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is everything you want in a comfort food meal—rich, flavorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing dinner for the week, or just craving something hearty, this chili won’t disappoint. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to keep on hand and come back to again and again. So gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy the best chili of your life!
If you love this recipe, don’t forget to share it with friends and family, and stay tuned for more delicious, easy-to-make recipes coming your way. Enjoy!