Crockpot Beef Chili Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Crockpot Beef Chili recipe perfect for an easy, slow-cooked meal. Tender ground beef simmered with beans, tomatoes, and bold spices creates a comforting dish that’s great for any day of the week.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Meat and Beans
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Liquid Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
Seasonings
- 1 beef stock cube
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Brown the beef and onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain excess fat carefully to avoid greasy chili.
- Transfer to crockpot: Move the cooked beef and onion mixture into the crockpot to prepare for slow cooking.
- Add remaining ingredients: Into the crockpot, add the drained kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, minced garlic, beef stock cube, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well to combine into a uniform chili mixture.
- Adjust liquid if needed: If during cooking the mixture appears too dry, add a can of water and stir to maintain the liquid level and prevent sticking or burning.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours for the best flavor development and tender texture, or alternatively cook on high for 4 hours if short on time.
- Serve hot: After cooking, taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve the chili hot, optionally with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, add additional chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Rinsing the beans helps reduce sodium and improves texture.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Adding a splash of beer or a dash of smoked paprika can enhance flavor complexity.
Keywords: Crockpot beef chili, slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, ground beef chili, bean chili, hearty chili