The Best Slow Cooker Chili

That’s it. You’ve arrived here, and now your search for the perfect chili recipe is over!

This Crockpot Chili is simply amazing – perfectly seasoned, perfect texture, perfect heat – and SOOO easy. Easy as in “throw the ingredients in the crockpot and push a button” easy.

I’ve had a wildly popular chili recipe on this website for years, but I never thought to convert it into a slow cooker meal until now. And you know what? Maybe I am crazy, but even though it has the same ratio of spices, this version actually tastes better.

There are the ingredients – except the beans are missing from the photo. But you don’t add them until the chili is just about ready anyway.

Oh, you noticed that cocoa powder and cinnamon, didn’t you? Just trust me on this.

The other thing I need to mention is that you will want to use lean ground beef with this recipe (90%+ lean). Since you won’t be precooking and draining the meat, you want to make sure you won’t have all of that excess grease in the chili. I used 90% and there was no grease on top of the chili at all. It turned out perfect.

Simply place the meat in the bottom of the crockpot, top with spices and then liquids. Cook on high for 4 hours, medium for 6 or low for 8.

Don’t have that kind of time? Not to worry! Here is my similar stovetop Homemade Chili Recipe that can be ready to eat in about an hour and a half, including prep! The flavor profile is just as amazing!

When it’s done, you might have a mass of ground beef at the bottom if you haven’t stirred it at all. This isn’t a problem – just use a potato masher and the meat with break apart with very little effort.

Add a half a can of rinsed red kidney beans and mix into the chili. Cook for another 20 minutes or so.

Serve with cornbread or whatever you like! This also makes a GREAT chili for chili dogs (my son’s absolute favorite meal).

And if you like this one, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!

Slowcooker Chili

This Crockpot Chili is so easy and SOO good! This is great for a freezer meal too!

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Lauren Cobello

Ingredients

• 1 lbs. lean ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 can of red kidney beans rinsed (15 oz)
• 1/2 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
• 1/2 can of water 28 oz
• 1/2 large onion minced
• 1 cloves of garlic minced or pressed
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional - depends on how spicy you want it
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp chocolate chips or cocoa powder

Instructions

• Place the ground beef in the bottom of the slowcooker.
• Top with all spices.
• Add liquid ingredients.
• Cook on high for 4 hours, medium for 6, or low for 8.
• Add kidney beans and cook for another 20 minutes.

Have you grabbed my freezer meal plans, yet? I might be biased but I think they are pretty amazing! They have saved our dinner hour for years now. Check them out!