Quick & Hearty Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a delectable crockpot chili recipe can transform your weeknight dinner into a cozy culinary adventure.

Hearty ingredients mingle beautifully in this slow-cooker marvel, creating layers of robust flavors.

Comfort meets convenience when you let your appliance do the heavy lifting.

Spices dance together, building a rich tapestry of warmth and depth that makes every bite memorable.

Busy home cooks adore this hands-off approach to making a crowd-pleasing meal.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this foolproof method.

We promise this chili will become your new go-to comfort food that sparks smiles around the table.

What Makes Easy Crockpot Chili Great

• Hands-Off Cooking: Let your crockpot do all the heavy lifting while you enjoy a stress-free meal preparation that requires minimal supervision.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with hearty ground beef and rich, warming spices, this chili delivers a satisfying meal that will make everyone at the table happy.
• Meal Prep Champion: Perfect for busy families and individuals, this recipe can be made ahead and stored, providing delicious leftovers that taste even better the next day.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, beans, and canned tomatoes, this chili offers maximum flavor without breaking the bank.

Everything In Easy Crockpot Chili

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

• Kidney Beans: Classic chili beans that add texture and additional protein to the dish.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Create a robust, tangy foundation that helps bind the chili ingredients together.

• Chili Seasoning, Water: Spice blend that gives authentic chili flavor and liquid to help ingredients simmer and meld together.

• Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Corn Chips: Optional garnishes that add extra texture, creaminess, and crunch to the finished chili.

How To Make Easy Crockpot Chili

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook ground beef until it turns a rich, golden brown. Carefully drain away any extra fat, ensuring the meat looks perfectly crispy and delicious.

Step 2: Transfer Beef to Crockpot

Move the browned beef directly into your slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

Step 3: Add Flavor Builders

• Kidney beans
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Chili seasoning
• Water

Step 4: Mix and Blend Ingredients

Stir all ingredients thoroughly, making sure every morsel gets coated with the delicious seasonings.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set your crockpot to LOW and let it simmer for 6-7 hours, or choose HIGH for a quicker 4-hour cooking time. The longer it cooks, the more intense the flavors become.

Step 6: Create Delicious Chili Bowls

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Crispy corn chips

Enjoy your mouthwatering homemade chili with family and friends!

Helpful Notes For Easy Crockpot Chili

• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy texture and maintain a cleaner, healthier chili.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of beef broth instead of water to boost the rich, meaty taste of the chili.
• Spice Customization: Adjust chili seasoning to your heat preference by adding extra cayenne pepper or using mild seasoning for sensitive palates.
• Boost Nutrition: Sneak in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini during the last hour of cooking for added nutrients and texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for quick future meals or busy weeknights.

Fun Twists On Easy Crockpot Chili

• Vegetarian Chili Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced portobello mushrooms for a meat-free protein option.
• Spicy Mexican Chili: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, and increase chili powder for a fiery southwestern flavor profile.
• Lean Protein Chili: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that still packs flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Chili: Use cauliflower rice instead of beans, increase ground beef portion, and top with extra cheese and avocado to reduce carbohydrates.

What Goes Well With Easy Crockpot Chili

• Pair Zesty Cornbread with Chili: Bake a warm, slightly sweet cornbread that perfectly complements the hearty chili, balancing its spicy notes and adding a delightful texture contrast.
• Serve with Crisp Amber Ale: Choose a malty amber ale that stands up to the rich, meaty chili, cutting through its robust flavors while enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Garnish with Cool Cilantro Sour Cream: Whip up a quick cilantro-infused sour cream topping that adds a fresh, tangy layer to the deep, warm chili, creating a delicious flavor harmony.

Keeping Easy Crockpot Chili Fresh

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Keep the chili away from raw foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy tracking.
• Pour chili into a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour chili into a saucepan. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking.

Common Questions About Easy Crockpot Chili

• What type of ground meat works best for this chili recipe?

Ground beef is traditional, but you can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. Each meat will provide a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining the chili’s overall delicious taste.

• Do I need to pre-cook the beans before adding them to the crockpot?

No, you can use canned kidney beans that are already cooked and drained. Simply rinse them before adding to the crockpot to remove excess sodium. This saves time and makes the recipe even easier to prepare.

• Can I make this chili spicier?

Yes, you can increase the heat by adding diced jalapeños, using a spicy chili seasoning mix, or including a pinch of cayenne pepper. Start with small amounts and adjust to your personal spice tolerance.

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 15 minutes (HIGH)
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot chili delivers bold southwestern flavors packed with tender beef and robust spices. Simmering slowly, this comforting meal brings warm comfort that welcomes families around the dinner table with rich, satisfying goodness you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (browned and grease drained)

Vegetables and Beans:

• 2 cans (15 ounces/425 grams each) dark kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 packet chili seasoning
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) water

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Corn chips

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly cook ground beef, carefully eliminating any excess fat.
2. Relocate the caramelized meat into the crockpot, ensuring even distribution.
3. Pour kidney beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning into the crockpot, mixing ingredients comprehensively.
4. Add measured water to create desired consistency and enhance flavor profile.
5. Configure crockpot to LOW setting for 6-7 hours or HIGH setting for 4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop robust taste.
6. When cooking cycle concludes, confirm chili’s rich, harmonious flavor and thick texture.
7. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream dollop, and crispy corn chips to elevate culinary experience and provide textural contrast.

Notes

• Lean Meat Swap: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat version of this classic chili that still packs incredible flavor.
• Veggie Boost: Enhance nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or corn to increase vegetable content and create more texture.
• Spice Control: Adjust chili seasoning intensity by using mild or hot variants, or mix homemade spice blends for personalized heat levels.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (LOW) or 4 hours (HIGH)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 263 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg