Name: Recipe "Slow Cooker Chili"
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 260 min
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion (chopped); 2 lb lean ground beef (can use turkey or chicken); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 red bell pepper (seeds removed and chopped); 1 can dark red kidney beans (rinsed and drained); 1 can small red kidney beans (rinsed and drained); 1 can fire roasted tomatoes; 1 can diced tomatoes; 2 can tomato sauce; 1 cup beef broth; 2 to 3 tbsp chili powder; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (optional); 0.25 cup sliced tamed jalapeño peppers (optional); chili toppings for serving (shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, jalapeño slices, cilantro, avocado, etc.)

Rounding things out: Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup, Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili, or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken.

Why This Easy Slow Cooker Chili Works

This easy slow cooker chili is the meal you set and forget. Brown the beef with onion and garlic, dump everything into the crockpot, and let it simmer all day. The result is a thick, beefy chili with deep smoky heat from chili powder and cumin. Ground turkey or chicken works just as well if you want a leaner bowl.

Why This Slow Cooker Chili Is a Winner

You get deep, slow-cooked flavor without standing over the stove, the crockpot handles the long simmer.
Fire-roasted tomatoes and three kinds of beans give the chili a rich, complex texture and smoky taste.
A touch of maple syrup rounds out the acidity, so every spoonful tastes balanced, not sharp.

Key Ingredients for This Beef Chili

Chili powder: Use a good-quality blend. Start with 2 tablespoons, then add up to 3 for more heat. It’s the backbone of the chili’s flavor.
Fire-roasted tomatoes: They add a subtle smokiness that regular diced tomatoes can’t match. Don’t skip them.
Maple syrup: Just a tablespoon balances the tomatoes’ acidity without making the chili sweet. You can substitute brown sugar if you prefer.

Kitchen Tools for Slow Cooker Chili

Large skillet for browning the beef and aromatics.
6-quart or larger slow cooker, gives enough room for all ingredients without overflowing.
Wooden spoon for breaking up the meat as it browns.
Colander or paper towels for draining the cooked beef.

Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Chili

Browning the ground beef is a small extra step that makes a big difference. It keeps the meat from clumping and lets you drain off excess grease, just pour the fat into an old container, let it cool, and toss it in the trash. For the seasoning, start with 2 tablespoons chili powder and add more at the end once the flavors have melded. You can always stir in an extra tablespoon after 6 hours on low. The chili also thickens as it sits, so if it looks too thin at the start, don’t worry.

Easy Variations for This Crockpot Chili

You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, just be sure to brown it the same way. Feel free to use all kidney beans or switch to black beans or pinto beans. If you like heat, add extra cayenne or a diced jalapeño along with the tamed slices. For the sweetener, brown sugar works just as well as maple syrup.

What to Serve with This Beef Chili

Set out a toppings bar so everyone can customize their bowl. Shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeños, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, and crunchy tortilla chips are all classics. For a side, nothing beats a slice of warm cornbread, chili and cornbread are made for each other.

How to Store Leftover Chili

Store the chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for several days, and the flavors continue to meld.

How to Freeze Chili for Later

To freeze, let the chili cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Best Ways to Reheat Chili

Reheat the chili on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second bursts. If the chili has thickened after storage, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it.

Slow Cooker Chili FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken work well. Brown it the same way as the beef. The cooking time remains the same.

Can I skip browning the meat?

You can, but the chili will be greasier and the meat may clump. Browning adds flavor, so it’s worth the extra few minutes.

How long does this chili need to cook?

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors come together.

Can I freeze this chili?

Yes, let the chili cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 2 months.

Recipe

Slow Cooker Chili

This easy slow cooker chili is the perfect meal for a cold day! Serve with cornbread and your favorite toppings!

medium

10 min

Prep Time

4 hr 20 min

Cook Time

4 hr 30 min

Total Time

Servings

Dinner

Course

American

Cuisine

584 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 lb lean ground beef, can use turkey or chicken
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can small red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
2 can tomato sauce

1 cup beef broth
2 to 3 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp pure maple syrup, optional
0.25 cup sliced tamed jalapeño peppers, optional
chili toppings for serving, shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, jalapeño slices, cilantro, avocado, etc.

Instructions

1
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, ground beef, and garlic; cook, using a wooden spoon to crumble the meat as it cooks, until no trace of pink remains, about

Nutrition (per serving)

584kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein29%174 kcal

Fat18%104 kcal

Carbohydrates53%316 kcal

How this was calculated — 19 of 19 ingredients matched

olive oilOil, corn, peanut, and olive133 kcal

yellow onionOnions, yellow, raw0 kcal

lean ground beefBeef, brisket, whole, separable lean only, all grades, raw1424 kcal

garlicGarlic, raw22 kcal

red bell pepperPepper, banana, raw0 kcal

dark red kidney beansBeans, kidney, red, mature seeds, raw1348 kcal

small red kidney beansBeans, kidney, red, mature seeds, raw1348 kcal

fire roasted tomatoesTomatoes, red, ripe, canned, packed in tomato juice64 kcal

diced tomatoesTomatoes, grape, raw108 kcal

tomato sauceSauce, steak, tomato based760 kcal

beef brothSoup, beef broth, cubed, dry408 kcal

chili powderSpices, chili powder85 kcal

ground cuminSpices, cumin seed56 kcal

paprikaSpices, paprika14 kcal

kosher saltSalt, table0 kcal

cayenne pepperSpices, pepper, red or cayenne4 kcal

pure maple syrupSyrup, Cane40 kcal

sliced tamed jalapeño peppersPepper, banana, raw16 kcal

chili toppings for servingTopping, SMUCKER'S MAGIC SHELL6 kcal

Serving size ≈ 371 g · 10 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

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Keyword: beef, chili, slow cooker

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