Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is the ultimate comfort food solution, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, offering a deeply flavorful and hearty meal with minimal fuss. This recipe is designed to be incredibly easy, delivering a delicious chili that will become a family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 is recommended for flavor)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies, undrained
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup beef broth (optional, for thinner consistency)
How to Make Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
This incredibly easy Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe delivers a rich, satisfying bowl of comfort with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy days, allowing the slow cooker to do all the work, resulting in a wonderfully tender, deeply flavored chili that’s bursting with hearty goodness. The preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, with a cooking time of 4-8 hours.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to your slow cooker. Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and chopped green chilies (undrained).
- Add Spices and Seasonings: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to combine.
- Add Broth (Optional): If you prefer a thinner chili, stir in about 1 cup of beef broth.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the chili has thickened and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the chili and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Why You’ll Love This Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
You’ll adore this Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe for its unparalleled ease and deeply satisfying, robust flavor. The magic lies in how the slow cooker gently melds all the ingredients, creating a chili that tastes like it simmered for days, far surpassing a quick stovetop version. Plus, making this hearty meal at home is incredibly budget-friendly, saving you money compared to ordering takeout or buying pre-made chili. The combination of tender beans, savory beef, and perfectly balanced spices creates a truly comforting experience that’s sure to become a go-to.
Imagine a bowl brimming with this rich, aromatic chili, topped with your favorite fixings like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will warm you from the inside out. Unlike simpler, less complex chili recipes, this slow cooker version develops a depth of flavor that’s truly remarkable. Don’t just dream about a perfect bowl of chili; bring this Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe to life in your own kitchen and discover a new weeknight dinner favorite!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store leftover Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, portion the chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can warm the chili gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. If the chili seems too thick after storing, you can add a splash of water or broth when reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe truly is a champion of easy, flavorful meals, proving that delicious comfort food doesn’t require hours of active cooking. Give it a try; your taste buds and your schedule will thank you for it!
Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.2 lbs ground beef
- Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.1 large yellow onion, 2 bell peppers
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.3 cloves garlic
- Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to your slow cooker. Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and chopped green chilies (undrained).2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce, 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to combine.1/4 cup chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- If you prefer a thinner chili, stir in about 1 cup of beef broth.1 cup beef broth
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the chili has thickened and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
- Before serving, taste the chili and adjust salt and pepper as needed.1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper