Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe for Weeknight Comfort (Print Version)
Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe. This hearty, flavorful chili simmers all day, making weeknight dinners a breeze. Just dump and go for a comforting meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Hearty
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15)
02 -
Onion (yellow or white), diced
03 -
Garlic (minced)
04 -
Canned Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
05 -
Canned Crushed Tomatoes
06 -
Kidney Beans (rinsed and drained)
07 -
Pinto Beans (rinsed and drained)
08 -
Beef Broth
→ Seasonings & Spices
09 -
Chili Powder
10 -
Cumin
11 -
Smoked Paprika
12 -
Dried Oregano
13 -
Salt
14 -
Black Pepper
→ Flavor Boosters & Optional Extras
15 -
Jalapeño (minced, seeds removed for less heat)
→ Garnish & Toppings
16 -
Shredded cheddar cheese
17 -
Sour cream
18 -
Chopped fresh cilantro
19 -
Diced avocado
20 -
Corn chips
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab a large skillet and brown your ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it’s nicely browned, drain off any excess fat—honestly, don't skip this, it keeps the chili from being greasy. Then, toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until the onion softens and you can smell that incredible garlic aroma filling your kitchen. This is where the magic starts, trust me, browning builds so much flavor!
02 -
Carefully transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic mixture into your slow cooker. Now, it's time to add the rest of the good stuff! Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, rinsed kidney beans, rinsed pinto beans, and the beef broth. Give it a good stir to combine everything. I always double-check that I've rinsed those beans; I once forgot, and the chili tasted a bit... off, oops!
03 -
Time for the flavor party! Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. If you're feeling brave and want a little heat, toss in that minced jalapeño now too. Stir everything together until all the spices are well distributed. I always take a deep sniff here; the blend of spices is just so comforting and promising!
04 -
Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Honestly, I usually go for the LOW setting; it just allows all those flavors to really meld and deepen into something truly spectacular. Resist the urge to lift the lid too often, as it lets out all that precious heat and moisture, slowing down the cooking process. I know, it's hard when it smells so good!
05 -
Once the cooking time is up, give your delicious chili a good stir. The beef should be tender, and the sauce should be thick and rich. Now for the crucial part: taste it! This is your moment to adjust the seasonings. Does it need a little more salt? A pinch more chili powder? Maybe a dash of hot sauce if you like extra heat? I always have a little spoon ready for this step, sometimes making a mess in my excitement.
06 -
Ladle your warm, hearty chili into bowls. This is where you get to personalize it! Top with your favorite garnishes: a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, some fresh chopped cilantro, or even a few slices of avocado. Serve with corn chips or a side of cornbread. The aroma, the texture, the rich flavor – it's just pure comfort in a bowl. Enjoy your delicious, homemade chili!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't skip browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics; it adds a foundational flavor you can't get just by dumping raw ingredients.
02 -
Resist the urge to peek! Every time you lift the lid, it adds at least 20-30 minutes to your cooking time, I learned that the hard way.
03 -
Always rinse your canned beans thoroughly; it really does make a difference in the final taste and texture of the chili.
04 -
For an extra layer of flavor, add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of red wine during the last hour of cooking.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Slow cooker
02 -
large skillet (optional for browning)
03 -
cutting board
04 -
knife
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 400
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g