Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

This thick beef slow cooker chili is prepped and in the pot in less than twenty minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknight schedules. Enjoy it with cornbread and all the fixings.

Course main meal

Cuisine American

Keyword chili recipe crockpot, crock pot chili recipe, crockpot chili, how long to cook crockpot chili, how to make crockpot chili, slow cooker chili

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5 15

Total Time 5 30

Servings servings

Calories 249kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs ground beef or ground turkey
1 large sweet onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 (10-ounce) cans diced tomatoes and green chilies like Rotel
1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15.5-ounce) can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 (15.5-ounce) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion halfway through the browning process and cook until soft. Add the garlic; cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Drain any excess grease and add the ground beef mixture to the crock pot.
Whisk together the beef broth and tomato paste. Pour on top of the beef mixture
Add the diced tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, brown sugar, red pepper, and cayenne.
Cover with the lid and set to low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

I like to use ground chuck in my chili and then drain the fat. Fat is what gives the beef flavor.
You can substitute ground turkey, pork, or chicken for the ground beef.
Do you like things with a bit of heat and a lot of spice? Increase the amount of crushed red pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.
You can make this recipe in a Dutch oven or heavy pot on the stovetop if you don't have a crock pot.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition