Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef

Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef is a hearty and comforting meal that’s incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect weeknight dinner solution for busy families. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, delivering a delicious and satisfying chili every time.

Key Ingredients for Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicier kick)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup beef broth (optional, for thinner consistency)

How to Make Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef

This Crockpot chili is a flavor explosion waiting to happen with incredibly simple steps, perfect for a busy day. Its rich, savory taste and satisfying texture will become a family favorite, taking approximately 15 minutes of active prep time before simmering to perfection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the browned ground beef and sautéed onion and garlic mixture to your slow cooker.
4. Add the Beans and Tomatoes: Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans to the slow cooker. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the can of Rotel (with its juice).
5. Incorporate Tomato Sauce and Spices: Stir in the tomato sauce. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
6. Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well combined.
7. Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is heated through.
8. Adjust Consistency (Optional): If you prefer a thinner chili, stir in about 1/4 cup of beef broth during the last hour of cooking.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, stir the chili and serve hot.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef

You’ll absolutely adore this Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef for its pure, unadulterated comfort food charm, delivering a deeply savory and satisfying bowl that warms you from the inside out. Making this chili at home is incredibly budget-friendly, far more economical than buying pre-made versions, allowing you to stretch your grocery dollars further and serve a crowd without breaking the bank. The blend of spices, tender ground beef, and hearty beans creates a rich flavor profile that’s perfectly complemented by an array of delicious toppings, transforming a simple meal into a customizable feast.

Forget the hassle of constant stirring and monitoring on the stovetop; this slow cooker recipe does all the heavy lifting for you, making it an ideal companion for busy weekdays or relaxed weekends. Unlike a quick stovetop chili that can require more hands-on attention, this crockpot wonder simmers away, building layers of flavor and tenderness that are simply unparalleled. So gather your ingredients, set it and forget it, and get ready to experience the best Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef you’ve ever tasted!

Storing and Reheating Tips

This Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef stores beautifully and is even better the next day!

• Refrigeration: Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, ladle the desired amount of chili into a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
• Freezing: For longer storage, portion the cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. We encourage you to give this comforting and delicious recipe a try – it’s sure to become a family favorite!

Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef

A hearty and comforting meal that’s incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect weeknight dinner solution for busy families. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, delivering a delicious and satisfying chili every time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time (Low) 6 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicier kick)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup beef broth (optional, for thinner consistency)

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Spoon
• Slow Cooker
• Saucepan (for reheating)
• Microwave (for reheating)
• Airtight container (for storage)
• Freezer-safe containers (for freezing)
• Heavy-duty freezer bags (for freezing)

Method

 

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
   1 pound lean ground beef
2. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
   1 large yellow onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
3. Transfer the browned ground beef and sautéed onion and garlic mixture to your slow cooker.
4. Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans to the slow cooker. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the can of Rotel (with its juice).
   1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed, 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed, 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
5. Stir in the tomato sauce. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
   1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6. Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well combined.
7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is heated through.
8. If you prefer a thinner chili, stir in about 1/4 cup of beef broth during the last hour of cooking.
   1/4 cup beef broth
9. Once cooked, stir the chili and serve hot.

Notes

This chili stores beautifully and is even better the next day! Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.