The Heartiest Crockpot Chili Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Warming winter nights call for a hearty chili recipe that brings comfort and zest to your dining table.

Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a rich, deeply satisfying meal that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas.

Beans, ground beef, and a blend of spices mingle together, creating layers of complex flavors.

Every spoonful promises a delightful balance between robust meats and tender vegetables.

Seasonal ingredients make this chili special, with each bite telling a story of home-cooked goodness.

Weekend meal prep becomes a breeze with this simple approach to classic comfort food.

Scoop up this chili and savor a bowl of pure, soul-warming deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Flavor Variations for Crockpot Chili

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Add extra beans like black or pinto beans for protein.
• Turkey Chili Swap: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter, lower-fat option. Keep all other ingredients and cooking method the same.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Increase cayenne and chipotle pepper amounts. Add diced green chilies and a splash of hot sauce for extra heat. Garnish with fresh jalapeños.
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Use shredded chicken instead of beef. Replace kidney beans with white beans. Add green chiles and use chicken broth for liquid base.

Serving Crockpot Chili

• Hearty Bowl Companions: Top this rich chili with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy chopped green onions for extra flavor and texture.
• Game Day Dippers: Serve alongside warm cornbread, tortilla chips, or crispy buttered saltine crackers to soak up the delicious chili sauce.
• Cooling Contrast: Add a dollop of sour cream or fresh chopped cilantro to balance the spicy warmth and provide a refreshing contrast to the robust chili.
• Protein Power-Up: Sprinkle crushed bacon bits or add a side of sliced avocado for additional protein and creamy richness that complements the hearty meat base.

How to Store Leftover Crockpot Chili

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring it cools completely before sealing.
• Pour chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 4 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat for this chili?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a different flavor and protein option.

• Is this chili recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper and chipotle powder according to your preference.

• How can I make this chili healthier?

Use lean ground meat, drain excess fat thoroughly, and add extra vegetables like zucchini or carrots to boost nutritional value and fiber content.

• Do I need to pre-cook the beans?

No, you can use canned kidney beans directly. Just drain and rinse them before adding to the Crockpot for convenience and time-saving.

Why Crockpot Chili Is a Set-and-Forget Favorite

• Simplify Cooking: Crockpot chili transforms complex flavors into an easy, hands-off meal that requires minimal kitchen effort and delivers maximum taste.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize your chili with favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or crispy tortilla strips for a unique dining experience every time.
• Meal Prep Champion: This recipe freezes beautifully, making it perfect for batch cooking, quick weeknight dinners, or stashing away for busy weeks when cooking feels overwhelming.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with robust spices and hearty ingredients, this chili satisfies diverse palates and works wonderfully for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual game-day celebrations.

Ingredients for Crockpot Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides the foundational flavor and substance for the chili.

• Onion, Bell Pepper, Garlic: These ingredients add depth, sweetness, and aromatic complexity to the chili.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Ground Chipotle, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper: A robust spice blend that creates a rich, warm, and slightly spicy flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Liquid Smoke: Ingredients that enhance the umami and smoky undertones of the chili.

• Kidney Beans: A classic chili bean that provides texture and additional protein.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: The liquid and acidic base that helps bind the chili and adds a bright, tangy flavor.

How to Cook Crockpot Chili

Step 1: Sizzle and Prepare Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook the ground beef until it turns beautifully browned.

Carefully drain away any excess fat to keep your chili lean and delicious.

Step 2: Awaken Vegetable Flavors

Toss diced onions, colorful bell peppers, and minced garlic into the same skillet.

Sauté these aromatic ingredients until they become soft and release their incredible fragrance.

Step 3: Transfer to Crockpot

Gently move the seasoned beef and tender vegetables into your trusty crockpot, creating the foundation for an incredible meal.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Ground chipotle
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir these spices thoroughly to ensure every bite will be packed with bold flavor.

Step 5: Add Liquid Magic

• Worcestershire sauce
• Liquid smoke

Introduce kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce to complete the flavor profile.

Step 6: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot and let the magic happen.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld together beautifully.

Step 7: Final Touches

Occasionally stir the chili and taste-test to adjust seasonings.

This ensures a perfectly balanced dish.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.

Pro Tips for Crockpot Chili Success

• Remove as much fat as possible from ground beef to prevent greasy chili and ensure a cleaner, healthier dish.
• Add spices before liquid ingredients to help them bloom and release maximum flavor into the chili.
• Adjust cayenne and chipotle pepper amounts to match your heat tolerance, starting with smaller quantities.
• Use liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce sparingly to add rich, complex undertones without overwhelming the dish.
• Stir occasionally during slow cooking to distribute heat evenly and prevent ingredients from sticking to crockpot sides.

Crockpot Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Crockpot Chili delivers robust flavors that simmer slowly, melding spices and tender meats into a comforting meal. Warm bowls of this classic comfort dish welcome you with rich, satisfying goodness perfect for chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) salt
• 0.25 teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chili powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground chipotle
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) liquid smoke

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Canned Ingredients:

• 14 ounces (397 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 28 ounces (794 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce

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Instructions

1. Sizzle ground beef in a skillet at medium heat until thoroughly browned, meticulously draining any accumulated fat.
2. Incorporate diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
3. Relocate the seasoned meat and softened vegetables into the crockpot, ensuring even distribution.
4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, ground chipotle, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper across the mixture, gently stirring to integrate robust spices.
5. Enhance flavor profile by introducing Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, creating a deep, complex taste foundation.
6. Gently fold in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce, stirring to blend all components harmoniously.
7. Secure crockpot lid and allow contents to simmer: 6-8 hours on low temperature or 3-4 hours on high temperature.
8. Periodically stir the chili, tasting and adjusting seasonings to achieve desired flavor intensity.
9. Once cooking cycle completes, ladle into serving bowls and garnish with preferred toppings for a personalized culinary experience.

Notes

• Brown meat thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors and prevent watery chili consistency.
• Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat while maintaining delicious meaty texture.
• Add a splash of beef broth for extra moisture if chili appears too thick during slow cooking.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper and chipotle amounts for mild or spicy preferences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg