Hearty slow cooker beef chili is an easy, low-maintenance dinner that really hits the spot in the fall and winter months. This crockpot chili is made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and delicious seasonings that packs on the flavour. Top it with your favourite toppings and enjoy this bowl of comfort food that is a true family favourite.
Cooking dinner in the slow cooker is the way to to go. It makes life super easy because you can literally prep your ingredients and throw them in there, set the crockpot on, and have it cook dinner for you over the course of a few hours. Plus, slow cooking over a longer period of time results in the most rich and flavourful chili as it allows the flavours to really blend into each other. Plus, the beef becomes tender and juicy in the process. Win win.
But if you don't have the time to let the crockpot do its thing, a one pot chili is also really convenient (not to mention delicious!) since making it in one pot means less dishes to clean.
Ingredients in Slow Cooker Chili
To make this delicious slow cooker beef chili, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
- olive oil
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- jalapeño pepper
- red bell pepper
- seasoning - paprika, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne red pepper (optional for a spicy kick).
- beans - I used red kidney beans and black beans. You can substitute with whatever beans that you have such as
- fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- water
And, don't forget the toppings! Any combination of the following toppings will be pretty amazing on this slow cooker chili: sour cream, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips (or tortilla strips), green onions, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.
You will also need a large skillet and a slow cooker (crockpot) to make this beef chili.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Cook the ground beef. Heat oil in a skillet for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add ground beef and stir well to cook evenly until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the beef into small pieces to help with even cooking and browning.
- Sauté aromatics. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, and red bell pepper. Sauté until fragrant and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in seasoning including paprika, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper, until well combined.
- Transfer to the slow cooker. Transfer beef mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot) and stir in kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and water. Cover the lid and set to cook for 4 hours on the high temperature setting (or for 6-8 hours on low). When the time is up, the slow cooker should automatically switch to the "warm" setting.
- Serve. Serve with your favourite toppings such as a spoonful of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and corn chips (like tortilla strips). Some other toppings you can add are green onions, avocado, cilantro, and hot sauce.
Stovetop Instructions: To make this beef chili on the stovetop, follow the instructions as is, but instead of transferring to the slow cooker, transfer the beef mixture into a large stockpot. Then, add in the diced tomatoes and water and simmer the chili on low heat for 3 hours. Stir in the beans and simmer for another 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- How to serve: Serve slow cooker beef chili loaded with toppings (my favourite are tortilla chips and cheddar cheese) with a side of biscuits or cornbread. You can also serve it over a bowl of rice or on top of baked potatoes.
- How to store: Store chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- How to freeze: Chili is one dish that freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container or freeze in batches in smaller airtight containers or freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow the chili to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter for a few hours.
- How to reheat: To reheat, heat on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Beef Cabbage Barley Soup
- Ground Beef Meat Pie
- Swedish Meatballs
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Easy Meat Lasagna
- Beef Potstickers (Dumplings)
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 serving
Description
Hearty slow cooker beef chili is an easy, comforting, low-maintenance dinner in fall and winter months. It's a family favourite crockpot chili.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne red pepper (optional)
- 1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
Optional Toppings:
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup tortilla chips (or tortilla strips)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add ground beef and stir well to cook evenly until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the beef into small pieces to help with even cooking and browning.
- Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, and red bell pepper. Sauté until fragrant and tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in seasoning including paprika, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper, until well combined.
- Transfer beef mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot) and stir in kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and water.
- Cover the lid and set to cook for 4 hours on the high temperature setting (or for 6-8 hours on low). When the time is up, the slow cooker should automatically switch to the "warm" setting.
- Serve with your favourite toppings such as a spoonful of sour cream, cheddar and corn chips (like tortilla strips). Some other toppings you can add are green onions, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.
Notes
Stovetop instructions: To make this beef chili on the stovetop, follow the instructions as is, but instead of transferring to the slow cooker, transfer the beef mixture into a large stockpot. Then, add in the diced tomatoes and water and simmer the chili on low heat for 3 hours. Stir in the beans and simmer for another 10 minutes before serving.
How to serve: Serve slow cooker beef chili loaded with toppings (my favourite are tortilla chips and cheddar cheese) with a side of biscuits or cornbread. You can also serve it over a bowl of rice or on top of baked potatoes.
How to store: Store chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
How to freeze: Chili is one dish that freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container or freeze in batches in smaller airtight containers or freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow the chili to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter for a few hours.
How to reheat: To reheat, heat on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Allison says
Easy and delicious! The perfect cold weather dinner.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Allison! So glad you enjoyed it.
Katie says
I love a good, warm, hearty chili on cold winter days!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Right? It always hits the spot.