Flavorful Crockpot Chili Recipe Easy Homemade Slow Cooker Chili That Tastes Like It Cooked All Day
An easy and flavorful crockpot chili recipe that delivers the rich, slow-simmered taste of chili cooked all day, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes (14 oz / 400 g each)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cayenne pepper, dash of cinnamon, splash of coffee
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic for the last minute.
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Transfer the browned meat, sautéed vegetables, and spices to the crockpot.
- Add drained kidney beans, black beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper.
- If chili is too thick, stir in a splash of broth or water. If too thin, remove lid for the last 30 minutes to reduce.
Notes
Brown the meat and toast spices before slow cooking for deeper flavor. Avoid opening the lid frequently to maintain heat. Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and prevent soupy chili. Optional additions like coffee or dark chocolate add richness. Can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, or spicy variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups per s
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 25
Keywords: crockpot chili, slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, homemade chili, ground beef chili, weeknight dinner, comfort food