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A rich, tasty crockpot chili that is easy to prepare and slow cooked all day. No long list of ingredients, you probably have them all in your pantry already!
Update: This was originally posted in November of 2014, and has been updated with new photos and a video. As always, I kept the original “beauty shot” that can be seen down the bottom of the post.
Hey! need chili? (of course you do, or you wouldn’t be here!!)
This chili recipe is my favorite – the best part is, it really NEEDS a good long stay in the crockpot, in order to blend all the flavors properly. I LOVE making this crockpot chili recipe – it’s so easy, makes a LOT (so plenty to freeze for later – chili dogs? a quick lunch?)
Served with some sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese and a little cilantro (or cornbread, homemade tortillas) this is a hearty dinner ready for when you walk in the door!
DID YOU KNOW? Whenever “chili powder” appears in a recipe, it refers to a chili powder BLEND, not pure ground chilies.
If you’re looking for a healthier crock pot chili, switch out the ground beef for turkey, and add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the mix. The cocoa powder makes it taste richer and meatier – I challenge your family to tell the difference between this version and the turkey!
I hope you love this classic!
Ingredients:
- GROUND BEEF – I use 93/7 blend, but 80/20 is good, too! Just be sure to drain the extra fat before adding to the crockpot
- ONION – chop this fairly roughly
- DICED TOMATOES – we want the juice! don’t drain it off!
- PINTO BEANS, BLACK BEANS & KIDNEY BEANS – drain, then rinse
- SALSA – your favorite, be it spicy or mild
- CHILI POWDER, CUMIN, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER , SALT & PEPPER
How to make this recipe:
- Brown the beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, and onion is tender.
- Drain and discard fat.
- Open all the cans – drain and rinse the beans, but leave the juices in with the diced tomatoes.
- Place beef and onions, and all remaining ingredients in the crockpot.
- Stir, cover and cook (stirring occasionally) on for 6-8 hours or until flavors are well blended.
- Serve with cornbread, in a tortilla, or in a bowl topped with cheese, sour cream (and a little hot sauce if you are so inclined)
FAQs and Kylee’s Notes
- What to serve with chili? I like to serve this easy crockpot chili over baked potatoes, with hot dogs (homemade chili dogs are the best!), with some cornbread or in a tortilla!
- Whenever “chili powder” appears in a recipe, it refers to a chili powder BLEND, not pure ground chilies.
- You can skip the browning step of the ground beef, but I think it adds a better flavor to the finished dish
- Stir some fresh cilantro through it at the end of cooking for a fresh burst of flavor!
- Looking for more color? Add some green onions before serving, too!
- Add some chopped red or green bell peppers to the onions for some extra flavor or color
- Mix up the types of beans used. I use kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, and even garbanzo beans. Whatever you have!
- Want to dial up the heat? Add some crushed chili flakes with the other spices
- MORE SLOWCOOKER/CROCKPOT RECIPES
- Crockpot Cowboy Casserole – Quick to prep, this is a real family pleaser!
- Vegetarian Chili – perfect for cool weather, packed with peppers, onions, beans, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
- 15 Bean Soup – packed with flavor and goodness – this meal is a great one to set and forget!
- Beef Stew with Herbed Dumplings – this one makes the family run to the table, with the addition of Herbed Dumplings – it’s a total winter warmer!
- Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole – A family-friendly easy prep and clean up meal that you can set and forget. This yummy tater tot casserole recipe has allll the good stuff – you can’t go wrong!
- ALL SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT RECIPES
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Chunky Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion chopped (about a cup)
- 2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 14 oz can pinto beans drained and rinsed (or kidney beans)
- 1 14oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 Tbs prepared chili powder
- 1 1/2 Tbs ground cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, and onion is tender. Drain and discard fat
- Open all the cans – drain and rinse the beans, but leave the juices in with the diced tomatoes.
- Place beef and onions, and all remaining ingredients in the crockpot.
- Stir, cover and cook (stirring occasionally) on for 6-8 hours or until flavors are well blended.
- Devour.
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Cheri Savory Spoon says
This looks delicious Kylee!
Miranda Couse says
This looks like a big bowl of comfort food! Yummy!!
Rachael DeBruin says
Perfect! Looks so good for a cold wintery day 🙂
Kate says
Yay chili!
Tamara Andersen says
YUM! I haven’t made a good pot of chili in my slow cooker in years, and your recipe is calling my name! BTW, good job on the updated photos!
Michelle says
This is chili perfection. I love EVERYTHING about it. Yum!
Colleen says
I can’t believe I’ve never made chili in the slow cooker. I always use the stove top, but I’m giving the slow cooker a try next time. And you are so right about the cocoa powder. It brings the chili to a new level!
Kelly Anthony says
I love your idea of adding cocoa powder to make it richer in flavor if using ground turkey. I can’t wait to try this out!
Leslie says
I love a good, simple, chili recipe. This looks so perfect! Just in time too because it’s finally starting to cool off here where I live!
Jacqui Debono says
I don’t know why, but I have never made chili in the crockpot before! I think I need to try it with the turkey too for a lower fat option!
[email protected] says
I’m with you on the extra lean beef. I like the texture and the way that it keeps the chili from becoming oily. Love the cocoa powder too – I’ve been making a few different chilies with cocoa in them for a while now and they’ve all been hits.
Great recipe! Cheers!
Elaine says
Slow cooking this chili all day must give it so much flavor that it will be hard (almost impossible) not to finish the whole pot in one go 🙂
SHANIKA says
This Chili really is super chunky! Looks amazing! I’m loving all the flavor in just one bowl and the addition of pinto beans. I need to try this!