The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

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This super easy crockpot chili is THE BEST Chili Recipe because it’s thick and hearty and filled with ground beef, three types of beans and the perfect blend of chili spices.

Pair this awesome slow cooker chili with my Sweet Cornbread for the perfect southern comfort meal.

The Best Chili Recipe (1)The Best Chili Recipe (2)I’ve been making this homemade Crockpot Chili Recipe for years, and it’s always a family favorite. I wanted to take the time to update the photos and share this delicious classic chili recipe with you again.

What Makes This The Best Recipe?

This thick and hearty chili only takes a few minutes of prep work and then it’s slow cooked to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.

The chili is filled with the perfect blend of spices, beans and hearty ground beef. It’s one of my go-to recipes for feeding a crowd and it also freezes very well.

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Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

I’m using a combination of canned beans (feel free to swap in your own favorites) as well as diced onion and peppers.

Ingredients for Beef Chili

  • Ground Beef– lean ground beef
  • Red Bell Pepper– you can use green bell peppers if desired
  • Dice Onion– yellow or white onion
  • Canned Pinto Beans– drain the canned beans to remove about 85% of their liquid
  • Canned Kidney Beans – I prefer the dark red version
  • Canned Black Beans
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Tomato Puree
  • Rotel Diced Tomatoes
  • Sugar – just a little to balance the heat
  • Chili Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Cumin
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper

How To Make The Best Chili

Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet, drain off any fat and then add it to the slow cooker.

Do You Have to Brown Beef Before Slow Cooking?

Yes, it’s a good idea to brown the ground beef in a skillet before slow cooking.

Break the beef up with a wooden spoon to crumble it, making it easier to eat, then drain off any excess fat from the skillet before adding it to the crockpot.

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Combine Beans and Spices

Next, add in the diced bell peppers, onions, canned beans (make sure to drain the beans about 85% of the way) and spices, as well as the tomato sauce and puree.

Cook on LOW

Give all the ingredients a good stir, then cover and cook on LOW heat for 6 to 8 hours.

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Chili Recipe Variations:

  • For this recipe I am using ground beef, but you can easily substitute ground pork, turkey or chicken in it’s place.
  • Make this a vegetarian chili recipe by omitting the ground beef entirely.
  • Switch out the red bell pepper for a green bell pepper if desired.
  • Add some diced jalapeños to the chili for an even spicier version!

Let the flavors blend on low for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can bump it up to high for 3 to 4 hours.

Can You Make Chili In The Instant Pot?

Yes! I’ve converted this slow cooker recipe to an easy to follow Instant Pot version. You can find the recipe HERE.

The Best Chili Toppings:

Of course you can enjoy a big bowl of this thick chili without any toppings, but my favorite thing to do with chili is load it up with some of my favorites.

  • Sour cream
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Freshly chopped cilantro
  • Avocado Slices
  • Corn Chips

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What To Serve With Chili?

Pair your perfect bowl of chili with any one of these delicious side dishes for an out of this world meal!

  • Mexican Grilled Corn
  • One Hour Dinner Rolls
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Corn Pudding Casserole

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Give this thick and hearty chili a try in your slow cooker today!

HELPFUL PRODUCTS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:

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The Best Chili Recipe

This thick and hearty Chili Recipe is filled with ground beef, beans and the perfect blend of spices, then slow cooked to perfection.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time6 hours hrs

Total Time6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 346 kcal

Author: Shawn

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper; seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 onion; diced
  • 1- 15 oz. can pinto beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can kidney beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can black beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1- 10 oz can tomato puree
  • 1- 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili fixin’s
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Brown ground beef till no longer pink, drain, and add to crock pot.

  • To the crock pot add the bell pepper, onion, all the beans (drain about 85% of the liquid from the beans before adding to the slow cooker), tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Add all the spices, and give it a good stir.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Notes

Top your chili with sour cream and shredded cheese if desired. Can be frozen for up to 5 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1192mg | Potassium: 1153mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1586IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 6mg

Keywords: CrockPot, Slow Cooker, The Best, Thick and Hearty

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The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  • Brown the Meat.
  • Don't Forget Vegetables.
  • Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  • Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  • Opt for Dried Beans.
  • Season Early and Often.
  • Add Some Acidity at the End.
  • Top It Off.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What to put in chili to make it taste better? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Should chili be thick or thin? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›

In a pot of chili, just a few strips of bacon add a smoky, meaty depth. And it's not just the bacon itself that adds flavor, it's the bacon fat, too. Before you start your recipe, cook 3 to 4 strips of thick-cut bacon until they're as crispy as you like.

What is chili magic? ›

Where there's chipotle smoke, there's chili fire. Bush's® Chili Magic® Campfire Style brings tender pintos together with smoky chipotle and green bell peppers for quick, unforgettable chili any night of the week.​ Available in: 15.5 oz.

How to make chili taste homemade? ›

“If there's one thing you have to do with any canned chili, it would be adding fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños. Maybe even some pickled jalapeños. And be sure to dice it all up finely.” As for presentation? “Serve the chili out of a nice pot next to all the fresh toppings on display.

Why do you put butter in chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

What is a good additive for chili? ›

Cinnamon is a fairly common addition to chili, but you can also use small amount of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and other sweet spices to make it more aromatic. Even a bit of star anise can enhance the beefy, spicy flavor of chili without being too licorice-forward (add too much, though, and it may taste more like pho).

What is the secret to competition chili? ›

Additional Depth of Flavor

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.

Why add baking soda to chili? ›

Ground Beef: Provides the hearty meaty base for the chili. Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish's overall flavor and texture. And don't stress about the fat—post-cooking, it's easy to skim off any excess. Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent.

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