Hearty and Foolproof Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe for All

Crafting a hearty slow cooker chili recipe can turn an ordinary weeknight into a flavor-packed adventure.

Comfort meets convenience in this simple one-pot marvel that promises maximum taste with minimal effort.

Robust beans, tender meat, and aromatic spices mingle together, creating a symphony of deliciousness.

Each spoonful brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

Busy home cooks appreciate how little preparation is needed to achieve such rich, complex flavors.

No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients stand between you and a delectable meal.

With just a few minutes of chopping and measuring, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that simmers to perfection while you tackle other tasks.

Grab a ladle and get ready to impress everyone with this incredibly easy chili that feels like a culinary hug.

What Makes Easy Slow Cooker Chili So Convenient

• Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a hearty meal with minimal hands-on cooking time.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust spices and toppings to suit individual tastes, making this chili a versatile crowd-pleaser for family dinners or game day gatherings.
• Packed with Flavor Depth: Unique addition of cocoa powder creates a rich, complex taste that elevates this classic chili from ordinary to extraordinary, surprising taste buds with every bite.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: One-pot cooking means fewer dishes to wash, giving you more time to enjoy your delicious meal and less time scrubbing pots and pans.

Ingredients for Easy Slow Cooker Chili

• Ground Beef: A rich and hearty meat that provides the main protein base for the chili.

• Onion, Garlic: These ingredients add depth and classic savory flavor to the chili.

• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, Tomato Sauce, Beef Broth: These components create a robust and tangy liquid foundation for the chili.

• Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Paprika, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Coriander, Salt, Pepper: A complex blend of spices that adds warmth, depth, and a subtle sweet-spicy complexity to the dish.

• Kidney Beans: A classic chili ingredient that provides texture and additional protein.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A creamy and sharp cheese that adds richness and a classic chili garnish.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the ground beef and adding a hint of flavor.

How to Prepare Easy Slow Cooker Chili

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Thoroughly cook ground beef until it develops a rich brown color and releases its savory flavors.

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

Step 2: Transfer And Layer Ingredients

Move the browned beef into your slow cooker.

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth

Step 3: Infuse With Spices

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Coriander
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 5: Add Beans

During the final 30 minutes of cooking, gently stir in kidney beans.

Continue cooking until beans are warmed through and tender.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and crown with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

Enjoy your comforting, homemade chili!

Pro Tips for Easy Slow Cooker Chili

• Remove as much fat as possible when cooking ground beef to prevent a greasy chili and ensure a cleaner, more robust flavor profile.
• Add kidney beans only in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy and maintain their perfect texture.
• The unsweetened cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the chili, creating a complex flavor that sets this recipe apart from traditional versions.
• Customize heat levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder and adding optional diced green chilies for extra kick.
• This chili tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance and reheating for more developed flavors.

Variations on Easy Slow Cooker Chili

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced portobello mushrooms for a hearty meat-free version.
• Turkey Chili Lite: Swap ground beef with lean ground turkey to reduce fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Add diced jalapeños and increase chili powder for an extra kick of heat and southwestern flair.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use gluten-free beef broth to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving Ideas for Slow Cooker Chili

• Hearty Meal Companions: Serve with warm, buttery cornbread to soak up the rich chili flavors.
• Tangy Topping Bar: Set out bowls of sour cream, chopped green onions, jalapeños, and crushed tortilla chips for personalized garnishing.
• Classic Comfort Combo: Pair with a crisp green salad and fluffy white rice to balance the chili's robust taste and add extra texture to the meal.
• Beverage Pairing: Complement the spicy chili with a cold beer or a refreshing iced tea to cool down the palate.

How to Store Easy Slow Cooker Chili

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring it's cooled completely before sealing.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 4 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this chili recipe. Just make sure to drain any excess fat after browning.

• Is cocoa powder really necessary in chili?

Absolutely! Cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the chili, creating a subtle complexity without making it taste like chocolate.

• How can I make this chili spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, increase the amount of chili powder, or include a dash of cayenne pepper to amp up the heat according to your preference.

• Can I prepare this chili ahead of time?

Definitely! This chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. You can make it in advance and reheat when ready to serve.

Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker chili brings warmth and comfort to classic comfort food lovers. Packed with robust flavors and tender meat, this simple one-pot meal delivers delicious satisfaction you’ll crave on cool evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (lbs) lean ground beef

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 3 (8 ounces) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 (15 ounces) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounces) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned, eliminating any surplus grease.
2. Relocate the seasoned meat into the slow cooker, incorporating finely diced onions, minced garlic, zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies, rich tomato sauce, and robust beef broth.
3. Infuse the mixture with a harmonious blend of aromatic spices: chili powder, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, deep unsweetened cocoa powder, hint of sugar, fragrant coriander, plus salt and pepper for balanced seasoning.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chili to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or accelerate on high setting for 3-4 hours, developing complex flavor profiles.
5. Approximately 30 minutes before serving, gently fold in kidney beans, ensuring they warm thoroughly and absorb the surrounding spices.
6. Present the hearty chili piping hot, garnishing with generously shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.

Notes

• Boost meat flavor by browning ground beef with a pinch of smoked paprika before transferring to slow cooker.
• Reduce fat content by using lean ground turkey or chicken as a protein alternative.
• Enhance depth of flavor by adding a small square of dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder for richer taste complexity.
• Make it vegetarian by substituting beef with plant-based crumbles and using vegetable broth for a protein-packed meatless version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg