This Crockpot Chili recipe is hearty, packed with flavor and canโt-stop-eating delicious. This recipe makes fantastic leftovers (itโs even better the next day) and is fabulous for make ahead meals and crowds!
Watch: How to make this Chili Crockpot Recipe
PIN THIS RECIPEย TO SAVE FOR LATER
This classic chili is to live for. Itโs like a big, comforting, satisfying hug in soup form that will warm you from the inside out. Itโs for all those busy days, chili days (pun intended), need-to-open-the-door-to-dinner days and want-to-please-everyone days. Because this Crockpot Chili is one recipe everyone can always agree upon; and crave; and request seconds.
Why you will love Crock Pot Chili
Crockpot Chili Recipe Ingredients
Please donโt be scared when you see the somewhat lengthy ingredient list for this Slow Cooker Chili because most of them are just cans or seasonings that simply get dumped into the crockpot. You will need:
Chili Crockpot Recipe Variations
I love how versatile chili recipes are! ย Here are just a few ways to customize this Crockpot Chili:
How to make Crockpot Chili
This Crock Pot Chili is very simple to make in 4 easy steps.ย After sautรฉing the meat and veggies, the chili is finished in the slow cooker โ no extra time or skills required than that!
Step 1:ย Brown Meat
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add beef and sausage and cook until browned.ย Transfer to 6- or 7-quart slow cooker.
Step 2:ย Sautรฉ Veggies
To the same skillet (donโt wipe out) add onions and bell peppers and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.ย Add garlic and sautรฉ 30 seconds.ย Transfer to slow cooker. ย Add all remaining Chili Ingredients and give them a stir.
Step 3:ย Cook
Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (recommended) or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Taste and add salt/pepper/cayenne pepper to taste.ย
How long to cook Chili in Crock Pot
Like most soups, chili tastes better the longer it has time to cook low and slow, so I suggest cooking the chili on LOW instead of high.ย This gives the flavors time to build and meld.ย You can get away with cooking the crockpot chili on LOW for 4 hours, but 6-8 hours is really ideal, with 8 hours being optimal.ย After 8 hours you can turn your chili to the warm setting if you are not ready to serve yet.
Prepping Crock Pot Chili in advance
Although this Crockpot Chili is fairly quick to prep, it still requires some chopping and stove time, which can be done 100% in advance:
โขYou may chop your veggies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.ย
โขYou may also brown your beef ahead of time and store in an airtight container.ย
โขYou can combine the cooked veggies and browned meat with all the other chili ingredients in the crockpot insert, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking. Add an additional 60 minutes to the cooking time.ย Now all you have to do is plug in your slow cooker and push and press a couple of buttons!
BEST CROCKPOT CHILI RECIPE TIPS AND TRICKS
- Thin chili.ย After youโve given your Crockpot Chili a good stir at the end of cooking and still want it a little thinner, you can thin with additional beef broth, stirring in ยผ cup increments until it reaches desired consistency.
- Thick chili.ย If you like extra thick chili, you can start with just ยฝ cup beef broth or omit it altogether.ย If you would still like a thicker chili after cooking, then remove the lid of the slow cooker the last hour of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
- No peeking.ย Donโt lift the lid of the slow cooker until youโre read to test the chili for doneness (or for the aforementioned last hour to thicken chili).ย Lifting the lid releases moisture and heat, and slows down cooking process. ย ย Plan on adding an additional 15 minutes to the cooking time every time you lift the lid. ย
- Spice up chili.ย Add jalapenos, hot sauce, cayenne pepper or chipotle peppers to spice it up.ย You may also want to use these as a garnish so everyone can customize their own chili.
- Refrigerate overnight:ย I always like to cook my chili the day before I serve it and then refrigerate it overnight.ย This doesnโt mean I donโt love a bowl (or two or three) the day I make it, but it is even more intoxicating if allowed to sit overnight.ย The Crockpot Chili becomes thicker and even more flavorful as the ingredients meld and build. ย This also makes for a stress-free meal any night of the week.
How to serve Crockpot Chili
I can down this Crockpot Chili recipe without any toppings and it is FAB, but it is even more delectable with toppings! ย A topping bar is also a great way for everyone to customize their chili. My personal favorite chili toppings are cheese, sour cream, Fritos and green onions, but Iโve given you a full rundown below:
- Cheese: ย Shredded Cheese is a best Crockpot Chili must!ย You can use grated sharp cheddar, Mexican cheese, Monterrey, or Pepper Jack.ย I personally prefer sharp cheddar with its contrasting bite.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:ย A healthy dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a depth of creaminess and rich tang.ย It also cuts through the robust seasonings.
- Fritos or Tortilla Chips: ย Chips add the perfect contrasting crunch and if you havenโt tried Fritos yet, they will change your chili eating life.
- Green Onions: Adding a tablespoon or so of chopped fresh green onions to your chili awakens the whole bowl with its fresh pop of flavor.
- Cilantro: Because cilantro makes everything better!ย It adds yet another layer of bright, fresh, Tex-Mex goodness.
- Diced Tomatoes:ย I love the contrast of fresh, juicy tomatoes in the warm, rich Crockpot Chili.
- Avocado or Guacamole: If you love avocados, chili is a beautiful canvas for their contrasting creaminess.
- Hot Sauce:ย Completely customize the heat of your chili with as much or as little hot sauce as you like.
What to serve with Crock Pot Chili
We LOVE our Crockpot Chili recipe with my favorite everย Moist Cornbread and a big green salad. Some people also love their chili over rice or pasta for some added texture.ย If you wanted a full spread, chili is also wonderful with:
- Potatoes:ย Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potato Friesย orย Twice Baked Potatoes
- Comforting Sides:ย Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese,ย
- Breads:ย ย Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls, Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks,ย Cheesy Pull Apart Pesto Bread,ย Bacon Ranch Pull Apart Bread
- Salad:ย ย Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch,ย Cucumber Salad,ย Spinach Salad,ย Broccoli Strawberry Salad
- Veggies:ย ย Roasted Asparagus,ย Glazed Carrots,ย Roasted Cauliflower,ย Sautรฉed Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts,ย Roasted Broccoli,ย Roasted Honey Carrots
Other ways to serve this Crock Pot Chili Recipe
โขBaked Potatoes:ย the most popular uses of chili has to be baked potatoes and chili dogs. ย Bake potatoes, slice them open and top with spoonfuls of chili, sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions and bacon. ย
โขChili Dogs:ย transform hot dogs into chili dogs by spooning on this crockpot chili recipe and topping with sharp cheddar cheese and optional jalapenos, red onions or green onions.
โขChili Mac and cheese:ย stir chili into your favorite mac and cheese recipe like this Salsa Verde Mac and Cheese or layer it in this Million Dollar Mac and Cheese.
โขRamen: this might sound unconventional, but my husbandโs favorite use of leftover chili is to stir it into ramen. The textures are a match made in heaven.
โขRice or Mashed Potatoes:ย Top rice or mashed potatoes with Crockpot Chili.ย Top with desired toppings.
โขChili Nachos:ย Top your favorite cheesy chips with this Slow Cooker Chili recipe with all the toppings โ sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, etc.
โขCornbread and Chili Gravy:ย Smother your favorite cornbread with chili and dig in!
Storing Crock Pot Chili
How long is Chili good in the refrigerator?
Homemade chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.ย If you donโt think youโre going to finish your chili in four days, then be sure to freeze the leftovers.
Freezing Crockpot Chili
Crockpot Chili freezes exceptionally well because it does not contain any dairy products, pasta or potatoes which sometimes can become a funny texture once frozen. This chili makes a large quantity so you may need to freeze some leftovers (although there are never any in our house).
To freeze chili before cooking:
โขBrown meat and sautรฉ veggies according to recipe directions in a large โขDutch oven (as opposed to a skillet).
โขAdd all remaining chili recipe ingredients and give it a good stir to combine.
โขDivide chili into freezer-friendly plastic containers or freezer bags. โขSqueeze out any air.
โขLabel and date.
โขFreeze for up to 3 months.ย Lay freezer bags flat to safe space.
โขLet frozen chili thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
โขTransfer contents to crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-9 hours.
to freeze leftover crockpot chili:
โขLet chili cool completely.ย If you have a full recipe of Crockpot Chili, you will want to divide it into multiple containers so it can cool down more quickly, otherwise it will stay at the danger zone for too long.
โขDivide chili into freezer friendly plastic containers or freezer bags. โขSqueeze out any air.
โขLabel and date.
โขFreeze for up to 3 months.ย Lay freezer bags flat to safe space.
โขLet frozen chili thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
โขTransfer contents into a soup pot, microwave safe dish or crock pot to reheat.ย To reheat in the crockpot, cook on low for 1-2 hours depending on leftover volume.
Chili Recipe Crock Pot FAQs
CAN YOU PUT RAW GROUND BEEF IN A SLOW COOKER?
Although it might be tempting to add raw beef and/or sausage to your crockpot, this is a big no-no.ย I know cooking your ground beef on the stove before adding it to the slow cooker might diminish some of the โdump and runโ allure of crockpot chili, but browning meat first is a MUST for two reasons:ย
โขSafe meat temperature:ย Ground beef must reach a safe temperature of 140 F in less than two hours (preferably much less), in the slow cooker. ย If it takes longer than this, then it has lingered in the โdanger zoneโ temperature for too long and grows unsafe bacteria.ย Cooking the beef quickly in the skillet ensures this bacterium doesnโt have time or the environment to grow.
โขMore complex flavor.ย ย Like all meats, cooking ground beef in the skillet firsts develops more complex flavors (known as the maillard reaction) which cannot be achieved any other way.ย It also prevents the meat from clumping up in the crockpot.ย In addition, we use the skillet grease from the ground beef and hot sausage to cook the onions, bell peppers, and garlic which means even more flavor.
Why does my crockpot chili taste bland?
If your crockpot chili tastes bland, it just needs salt or heat to enhance all of the flavors โ it has plenty of seasonings already! Add salt ยผ teaspoon at time, tasting after each addition. Add heat with chipotle chili pepper, cayenne or hot sauce to taste.
How long is too long to cook chili in crockpot?
Cooking chili in a crockpot for longer than 8 hours on the low setting, can lead to overcooking, where the ingredients become too soft and the flavors might diminish. To avoid overcooking, itโs a good practice to check the chiliโs consistency at the earlier end of the cooking window, turning the crockpot to warm when the taste and texture reach your liking. Remember, the meat is already cooked, the slow cooker is simply cooking the beans and allowing the flavors to meld.
Do you have to brown meat before crockpot chili?
Browning ground beef before adding it to chili in the crockpot is essential for several reasons:
โขIt enhances the flavor by caramelizing the meat and creating a deeper, richer taste.
โขBrowning also helps render and remove excess fat, preventing the chili from becoming overly greasy during the slow cooking process.
โขItโs an important step to ensure the meat is fully cooked and doesnโt linger in the โdanger zone.โ
โขIt creates the best possible texture.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Hot Italian sausage
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes (no salt/seasonings added)
- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, with juices
- 3 15 oz. cans dark kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 4 oz. can mild diced green chiles
- 1 cup reduced sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 TBS EACH ground cumin, beef bouillon
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tsp EACH smoked paprika, ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- salt to taste (I use ยฝ teaspoon โ but start with less)
- 1 bay leaf
Toppings (your favs!)
- cheese
- green onions
- cilantro
- Avocados/guacamole
- crackers
- chips
- Sour cream/Greek yogurt
- amazing with my Sweet Cornbread!
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add beef and sausage and cook until browned. Transfer to 6 or 7 quart slow cooker.
- To the same skillet (donโt wipe out) add onions and bell peppers and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sautรฉ 30 seconds. Transfer to slow cooker. Add all remaining Chili Ingredients to the slow cooker and give them a stir.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (recommended) or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Taste and add salt/pepper/cayenne pepper to taste. Serve with desired toppings such as cheese, sour cream, green onions, corn/tortilla chips, etc.
Video
Notes
BEST CROCKPOT CHILI TIPS AND TRICKS
- Sear beef.ย For the best flavor, cook your beef in one batch and your Italian sausage in a second batch.ย This allows you larger surface are for the beef/sausage to brown.ย
- Use both beef AND sausage. Adds a depth of flavor and texture.
- Homemade chili seasonings.ย The ingredient list may look like a lot of seasonings, but they take just minutes to throw into the Crockpot Chili and are my perfected spice blend for this quantity of chili.ย You will never regret using homemade seasonings!
- Season to taste. I have included quantities for all of the seasonings except the salt โ this will depend on how salty your beef broth and soy sauce are as well as personal preference.ย I would suggest starting with ยผ teaspoon salt, cook the chili then season to taste with additional salt as needed (I use ยฝ teaspoon total).ย Remember, you can add more salt, but you canโt take it away! ย
- Large crockpot.ย You will need at least a 6-quart slow cooker so your crockpot chili contents can fit comfortably.
- Half recipe.ย If you donโt have a large crockpot, you may half the recipe or cook in batches.
- Stovetop chili.ย Alternatively, you can simmer the chili, covered, on the stove for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally and replacing the lid. You will need to add additional beef broth as much more liquid is evaporated on the stove than the crockpot.ย
- Cook on low: ย Chili is meant to cook low and slow for maximum flavor, ultra tender beef and the best marriage of flavors.ย Plan on at least 6 hours.ย
- Thin chili.ย After youโve given your Crockpot Chili a good stir at the end of cooking and still want it a little thinner, you can thin with additional beef broth, stirring in ยผ cup increments until it reaches desired consistency.
- Thick chili.ย If you like extra thick chili, you can start with just ยฝ cup beef broth or omit it altogether.ย If you would still like a thicker chili after cooking, then remove the lid of the slow cooker the last hour of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
- No peeking.ย Donโt lift the lid of the slow cooker until youโre read to test the chili for doneness (or for the aforementioned last hour to thicken chili).ย Lifting the lid releases moisture and heat, and slows down cooking process. ย ย Plan on adding an additional 15 minutes to the cooking time every time you lift the lid. ย
- Spice up chili.ย Add jalapenos, hot sauce, cayenne pepper or chipotle peppers to spice it up.ย You may also want to use these as a garnish so everyone can customize their own chili.
- Refrigerate overnight:ย I always like to cook my chili the day before I serve it and then refrigerate it overnight.ย This doesnโt mean I donโt love a bowl (or two or three) the day I make it, but it is even more intoxicating if allowed to sit overnight.ย The Crockpot Chili becomes thicker and even more flavorful as the ingredients meld and build. ย This also makes for a stress-free meal any night of the week.
Prep ahead Crockpot Chili
Although this Crockpot Chili is fairly quick to prep, it still requires some chopping and stove time which can be done 100% in advance:- You may chop your veggies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.ย
- You may also brown your beef ahead of time and store in an airtight container.ย
- You can combine the cooked veggies and browned meat with all the other chili ingredients in the crockpot insert, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking. Add an additional 60 minutes to the cooking time.ย Now all you have to do is plug in your slow cooker and push and press a couple buttons!
How to use leftover chili
- Baked Potatoes:ย the most popular uses of chili has to be baked potatoes and chili dogs. ย Bake potatoes, slice them open and top with spoonfuls of chili, sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions and bacon. ย
- Chili Dogs:ย transform hot dogs into chili dogs by spooning on this crockpot chili recipe and topping with sharp cheddar cheese and optional jalapenos, red onions or green onions.
- Chili Mac and cheese:ย stir chili into your favorite mac and cheese recipe like this Salsa Verde Mac and Cheese or layer it in this Million Dollar Mac and Cheese.
- Ramen: this might sound unconventional, but my husbandโs favorite use of leftover chili is to stir it into ramen. The textures are a match made in heaven.
- Rice or Mashed Potatoes:ย Top rice or mashed potatoes with Crockpot Chili.ย Top with desired toppings.
- Chili Nachos:ย Top your favorite cheesy chips with this Slow Cooker Chili recipe with all the toppings โ sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, etc.
- Cornbread and Chili Gravy:ย Smother your favorite cornbread with chili and dig in!
HOW TO FREEZE CROCKPOT CHILI
Crockpot Chili freezes exceptionally well because it does not contain any dairy products, pasta or potatoes which sometimes can become a funny texture once frozen. This chili makes a large quantity so you may need to freeze some leftovers (although there are never any in our house).To freeze chili before cooking:
- Brown meat and sautรฉ veggies according to recipe directions in a large Dutch oven (as opposed to a skillet).
- Add all remaining chili recipe ingredients and give it a good stir to combine.
- Divide chili into freezer friendly plastic containers or freezer bags. Squeeze out any air.
- Label and date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.ย Lay freezer bags flat to safe space.
- Let frozen chili thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer contents to crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-9 hours.
to freeze leftover crockpot chili:
- Let chili cool completely.ย If you have a full recipe of Crockpot Chili, you will want to divide it into multiple containers so it can cool down more quickly, otherwise it will stay at the danger zone for too long.
- Divide chili into freezer friendly plastic containers or freezer bags. Squeeze out any air.
- Label and date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.ย Lay freezer bags flat to safe space.
- Let frozen chili thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer contents into a soup pot, microwave safe dish or crock pot to reheat.ย To reheat in the crockpot, cook on low for 1-2 hours depending on leftover volume.
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Lisa says
Like so many others have mentioned in the comments already, this is the best chili I have ever made. I am not a very experienced cook and struggle with seasoning things appropriately, but this recipe was crystal-clear and turned out fantastic. Even my excruciatingly picky elderly father, who lives with me, thought it was great. There are only two people in my household, and after the first meal, there was still plenty left for freezing to use another day.
Jen says
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am thrilled that you and your father loved this dish and that you found my directions clear to follow! Thatโs something I really work hard to do is make my recipes easy to follow ๐
john galle says
Made your crockpot chili loved it, whatโs the nutritional values for it please
Jen says
Thanks John! Iโm so glad that you loved it! For nutritional information, you can plug in your ingredients of any recipe into this calculator: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator ๐ Hope that helps!