Crockpot Chili (Slow Cooker Chili) – The Ultimate Comfort Bowl Made Easy

Few dishes are as comforting, filling, and satisfying as a warm bowl of chili. Rich, hearty, savory, and bursting with flavor, chili is the kind of meal you look forward to all day—whether it’s for game night, a family dinner, meal prep, or a cozy winter evening. And when you make it in the slow cooker, everything becomes easier, more convenient, and even more flavorful. That’s exactly why Crockpot Chili (Slow Cooker Chili) has become a legendary recipe for home cooks everywhere.

This isn’t just any chili. It’s thick, loaded with tender ground beef, beans, tomatoes, aromatics, and a bold blend of warm spices that simmer low and slow for hours. The result? A deep, rich flavor that stovetop versions simply can’t duplicate. Slow cooking lets everything meld together into an ultra-satisfying meal that feels like it came from a family cookbook.

The beauty of crockpot chili is its simplicity: brown the beef, dump everything into the slow cooker, turn it on, and let it work its magic. No babysitting. No stirring. No worrying. Just effortless comfort food.

Why This Crockpot Chili Is the Best

1. Slow Cooking Builds Incredible Flavor

The spices mellow and deepen, the tomatoes break down, the beef becomes tender, and everything melds into a rich, cohesive chili that tastes like it simmered all day… because it did.

2. Minimal Prep — Maximum Flavor

You only need about 10 minutes of hands-on prep, and the crockpot does the rest.

3. Thick, Hearty Texture

This chili isn’t watery or thin. It’s thick, satisfying, and loaded with hearty ingredients.

4. Budget-Friendly

Beans + ground beef + inexpensive pantry staples = a big batch of comfort food at a low cost.

5. Great for Meal Prep

Chili tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.

6. Completely Customizable

Adjust heat, add veggies, switch proteins—this recipe is incredibly flexible.

Ingredients for Crockpot Chili (Slow Cooker Chili)

Chili Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)

Tomatoes & Beans

• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans, drained

Spices

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper

Liquid

• 1 cup beef broth

Optional additions:

• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar (balancing acidity)
• ½ cup corn
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

How to Make Crockpot Chili

1. Brown the beef

In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

2. Add aromatics

Stir in diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes to soften.

3. Transfer to the crockpot

Add the beef mixture to the slow cooker.

4. Add remaining ingredients

Pour in tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, broth, and all seasonings. Stir to combine.

5. Slow cook

Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

6. Taste and adjust

Add salt, pepper, or spices as needed.

7. Serve hot

Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite chili garnishes.

Crockpot Chili (Slow Cooker Chili)

A hearty, flavorful slow cooker chili made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and warm spices. Easy, comforting, and perfect for weeknights or meal prep.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chili Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 bell pepper diced

Tomatoes & Beans

• 15 oz diced tomatoes
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 15 oz kidney beans drained
• 15 oz black or pinto beans drained

Spices

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt adjust to taste
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Liquid

• 1 cup beef broth

Equipment

• Crockpot
• Skillet
• Spatula
• Can opener

Method

 

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
3. Transfer beef mixture to the crockpot.
4. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, broth, and all spices. Stir to combine.
5. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For thicker chili, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Best Chili Toppings

• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• sliced green onions
• diced red onion
• fresh cilantro
• crushed tortilla chips
• jalapeño slices

You can also serve chili over:

• rice
• baked potatoes
• macaroni
• cornbread

Why Slow Cooker Chili Works So Well

Slow cooker chili develops a deeper, rounder flavor profile. As the chili cooks low and slow:

• beans absorb flavor
• onions break down
• beef softens and becomes tender
• spices mingle and intensify

This creates a richness that stovetop chili can’t match in the same amount of time.

Variations (Make It Your Way)

Spicy Chili

Add cayenne, jalapeños, or chipotle peppers in adobo.

Turkey Chili

Swap the ground beef with lean ground turkey.

Veggie Chili

Replace beef with chopped vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and corn.

Bean-Free Chili

Skip the beans and add extra beef.

Sweet Chili

Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or a splash of BBQ sauce.

Storage & Freezing

Refrigerator:

Stores up to 4–5 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:

Freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months.

Reheat:

Stovetop, microwave, or back in the crockpot on LOW until warmed through.