With just a handful of ingredients this Crock Pot Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that will warm you up from the inside out.
It's easy to make and perfect for loading up with all your favorite toppings.
Whether you're hosting a gathering, feeding your family, or simply craving a cozy dinner, this slow-cooked chili is sure to hit the spot.
Check out all the other family favorite crock pot recipes for more inspiration to help you get dinner on the table for your family this week
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The beauty of this recipe is you can just dump and go! Let the slow cooker work its magic, allowing the flavors to meld together over several hours.
You can go about your day while the chili simmers away, filling your home with enticing aromas.
When it's time to eat, you'll be rewarded with a rich and hearty chili that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.
Looking for Family Dinner Ideas? Check out these dinner suggestions for Stuffed Zucchini, or my Easy Beef Ramen Stir Fry.
You might like this Over the Top Chili which is made with a smoker and has a deliciously smoky flavor!
Table of Contents
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore Information
Quick Tips
- One of my favorite kitchen tools is the mix and chop. I originally purchased mine from Pampered Chef but you can get one now on Amazon, which means you can probably have it in your kitchen by the time you finish reading this post.
- It's really important that you rinse the kidney beans before adding them to the crock pot. The cloudy liquid that's in the canned beans is mostly starch and salt which can change the texture or taste of the chili.
Ingredients
- One pound ground beef
- Small onion; chopped
- Butter; 1 tbsp.
- Vegetable Oil; 1 tbsp.
- Diced tomatoes
- Small can chopped chiles
- Kidney beans
- Tomato sauce; 8 ounce size
- Sweetened cocoa powder
Substitutions and Variations
- Add some fire with diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Try adding some sweetness and texture with a can of corn, or use fresh corn kernels when in season.
- A tablespoon of strong brewed coffee can add depth and richness to the chili.
Swap out some or all of the kidney beans for black beans.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: In a heavy pan, I like to use my cast iron pan, over medium heat on top of your stove, brown the onion in the oil and butter. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink.
- Step 2: Transfer the ground beef and cooked onion to your crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients, except the sweetened cocoa powder.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- Step 5: After 4 to 6 hours, add the sweetened cocoa powder and taste the chili for salt and pepper. Serve as suggested below.
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Serving Tips
Chili is one of those recipes that really anything goes when tit comes to toppings. However, here are a few of our favorites:
- Cheese - it's pretty obvious that most people enjoy cheese on top of their chili. Cheddar is a family favorite, but Monterey Jack is another favorite.
- Corn chips or tortilla chips - make sure you crush them!
- Ritz crackers - saltine crackers are pretty good as well, but I really enjoy the buttery taste of Ritz crackers.
- Jalapenos - chopped or thinly sliced.
- Extra Herbs - Green onions, cilantro or fresh chopped chives.
- Sour cream - I cannot have a bowl of chili without a spoon of sour cream.
Enjoy chili served in a bowl with your favorite toppings. Or you can try making bread bowls using frozen bread dough to serve the crock pot chili. You can check out my recipe for semi-homemade bread bowls for an easy way to make something different.
Another way my family enjoys leftover chili baked potatoes. This makes a great meal! Or you can create a fun appetizer by using the chili over nacho chips.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Allow the chili to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Refrigerated chili can typically last for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Once the chili has cooled, you can freeze it in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Thawing and Reheating: You can defrost the frozen chili in the microwave, but it helps to run the container under hot water for about 5 minutes before placing the container in the microwave to continue defrosting and then reheating. It can also be reheated in a saucepan on top of the stove over medium heat until heated through and steamy hot.
More Recipes to Love
- You might enjoy these other crock pot recipes such as Crock Pot Salsa Chicken, Potato and Corn Chowder, Homemade Tomato Sauce with Meatballs or my Easy Shredded Chicken Recipe.
- Looking for more chili recipes? Try these recipes for White Turkey Chili, Crock Pot White Chicken Chili or Creamy Verde Chicken Chili.
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📖 Recipe Card
Crock Pot Chili
Ingredients
- One pound ground beef
- Small onion; chopped
- Butter; 1 tbsp.
- Vegetable Oil; 1 tbsp.
- 1 can diced tomatoes; 14.5 ounce size
- Small can chopped chiles; 4 ounce size
- Kidney beans; 1 16 ounce size can rinsed
- 1 small can tomato sauce; 8 ounce size
- 2 tbsp. sweetened cocoa powder
Method
- In a heavy pan over medium heat on top of your stove, brown the onion in the oil and butter.
- Add the ground beef and break apart the meat using the back of a spoon or use the mix and chop tool.
- Cook until no longer pink.
- Transfer the ground beef and cooked onion to your crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the remaining ingredients, except the sweetened cocoa powder. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- After 4 to 6 hours, add the sweetened cocoa powder and taste the chili for salt and pepper. Serve as suggested below.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
Chili is one of the best meals during the winter and I like trying new recipes. Pinned this one too. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Love Keil says
My family love chili soup and i cant wait to try this recipe, pinning! Thank you for sharing!!!
CJ Huang says
I'm always a fan of slow cooker recipes, especially ones that only get better as the flavors mingle! I bet the cocoa powder adds some depth of flavor too. 🙂
HeiLin (Heidy McCallum) says
Thank you for attending the #PureBlogLove Link Party, just wanted to drop by and personally thank you for sharing your wonderful blog post with us last Thursday. I hope to see you tonight at 8 pm est- Sunday for week #6
Have a great day
Heidy
http://www.themccallumsshamrockpatch.com
Kimberly Lewis says
This looks fabulous! Pinned. We couldn't think of anyone better to party with! Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Vanessa says
Lois this looks yummy. My fave food.
Joy says
Lois, this sounds SO good! It's perfect for this football time of year, and crockpot, too? BONUS! Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! 🙂
J Trogstad says
yes yes yes! I have been looking for a goos crockpot chili recipe for a while and this recipe looks spot on! Thanks for sharing! Stopping in from the link up today 🙂
J @ A Hot Southern Mess
http://www.ahotsouthernmess.com