Mr. Garlic and I have been making this Slow Cooker Chili for years! It's rich and super flavorful, made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, brown sugar, and spices. Plus, its so easy to make. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work.
Why You'll Love this Slow Cooker Chili:
- It's so easy to make! No fancy kitchen skills required, just brown the beef and toss everything into the slow cooker.
- A perfect balance of flavors. Savory, sweet, smokey, with just a hint of spice.
- Great for meal prep or gatherings. This recipe makes enough for 6-8 generous servings and is freezer-friendly.
Jump to:
Key Ingredients:
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend.
- Kidney Beans: Both light and dark for a classic chili texture.
- Tomatoes: Diced, crushed, sauce, and paste. Layers of tomato add texture and depth.
- Brown Sugar & Cocoa Powder: I know it might sound strange, but these two ingredients really elevate this chili, adding so much complexity and a subtle sweetness.
- Spices & Mild Jalapenos: For a hint of spice.
Dietary Swaps:
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, just double check all packaged ingredients to make sure they are gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the sour cream and shredded cheese or use dairy-free versions.
- Low Carb: Leave out the beans and add extra ground beef.
Recipe Variations:
- Use a different meat, such as ground chicken, pork, or venison.
- Add extra veggies, like mushrooms, corn, diced zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Make it spicy, by adding hot jalapenos or 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Tips & Notes:
- Brown the beef first, either in a frying pan or in the slow cooker. Browning the beef first gives it a better flavor.
- Don't skip the brown sugar & cocoa powder! These two ingredients add complexity and depth, really elevating this chili.
Storage & Reheating:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stove top over medium heat or in the microwave.
- If freezing, let chili cool before transferring into a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Soup & Stew Recipes You Will Love:
- Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup
- Creamy One-Pot Big Mac Cheeseburger Soup
- Easy Spicy Sausage & White Bean Soup
- Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Italian Pasta & Beans)
- Creamy Cabbage & Orzo Stew
- Creamy Mushroom & Pearl Couscous Soup
Recipe
(The Best) Slow Cooker Chili
It's rich and super flavorful, made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, brown sugar, and spices. Plus, its so easy to make. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend
- 1 red onion diced
- 1 ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- 14 oz tomato sauce
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 8 oz jar mild jalapeños drained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1.5 tablespoon chili powder
- 3-4 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 15 oz can dark kidney beans drained
- 15 oz can light kidney beans drained
- Salt & pepper to taste
Toppings:
- Fritos
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese we like sharp cheddar
- Chives
Instructions
- In a frying pan, heat a touch of neutral cooking oil . Add ground beef and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook ground beef, breaking up with a spatula until gently browned and crumbled.
- Add ground beef along with remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Give it all a good stir and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. To thicken chili, remove slow cooker lid and allow to simmer on low for 20-30 minutes before serving. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate.
- Scoop out a generous portion into a bowl. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, fritos, and chives.
Notes
- Brown the beef first, either in a frying pan or in the slow cooker. Browning the beef first gives it a better flavor.
- Don't skip the brown sugar & cocoa powder! These two ingredients add complexity and depth, really elevating this chili.
- Nutrition values are an estimate only.
Nutrition
Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 23.5g
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Must Love Garlic says
Super easy to make and absolutely delicious!