This Crockpot Chili Recipe is so simple you’ll find yourself making it again and again. Just brown the ground beef, add the ingredients to your slow cooker, and let it simmer into a rich, hearty meal. Enjoy a big bowl for an easy weeknight supper, or load up the crockpot and keep it warm for game day snacking with a flavorful kick.

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

This Crockpot Chili Recipe is a must-have classic that belongs in every home cook’s recipe collection. With simple prep and hands-off cooking time, you can fully assemble it in minutes and let the slow cooker work its magic while you go about your day. The result is a hearty, flavorful chili loaded with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and warm spices, perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or meal prep.

Slow cooker chili has been a staple in my kitchen for years because it’s dependable, customizable, and always crowd-pleasing. Whether you like your chili mild or spicy, thick or saucy, this easy Crockpot version delivers rich, simmered-all-day flavor with minimal effort. It’s comfort food at its best and a recipe that’s here to stay.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Protein – Lean ground beef gives this chili a beefy flavor.
Beans – Kidney beans add bulk and texture.
Liquid – Beef stock for thinning the sauce.
Tomatoes – Both tomato sauce and tomato paste for thickening the chili.
Onion and Garlic – Onion and minced garlic enhance the flavor of the beef.
Peppers – Poblano pepper or green bell pepper for coloor and texture, and a little spice.
Spices and Seasonings – Seasoned salt, Mexican oregano, lemon pepper, chili powder, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground cinnamon, ground cumin and light brown sugar.

How to Make the Best Crockpot Chili Recipe

Cook Ground Beef – Brown ground beef on the stovetop over medium high heat for 8 minutes or just until no pink remains. Drain excess grease from skillet. Set aside.
Transfer to Slow Cooker – Add ground beef, tomato sauce, beef stock, tomato paste and beans to a 6 quart crockpot. Stir to combine.
Vegetables and Seasonings – To the crockpot add diced poblano, onion, minced garlic, chili powder, light brown sugar, ground cumin, seasoned salt, oregano, lemon pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder and cinnamon. Mix to combine.
Lock Lid in Place – Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8.
Serve – Serve hot with sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, cilantro, diced peppers or with any of your favorite toppings.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Crockpot Chili

6 quart or similar size crockpot, slow cooker or multi cooker.
Large skillet.
Knife and chopping board.
Measuring cups and spoons.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Protein – This recipe will also work with ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork or venison. You can also use a combination of any of the aforementioned.
Beans – You can swap out kidney beans and use pinto beans or black beans in their place. You can also stretch the servings adding an additional can of kidney beans.
Mexican Oregano – You can replace Mexican oregano with 1 teaspoon of classic Italian oregano.
Bell Peppers – You can use green bell pepper in place of poblano pepper or jalapenos for a milder level of heat. When dicing the peppers and onion think small diced pieces not huge chunks. Unless, you enjoy big chunks then go for it!
Liquid – You can use beef stock or beef broth or replace some of the beef stock with beer.
Thicken at the End of Cooking – At the end of cooking, test the thickness. To thicken it further, use tomato paste one tablespoon at a time. Likewise, you can thin the chili using additional beef stock.
Set Up a Chili Toppings Bar – You can set up a bar with your favorite chili toppings bar and let each person personalize their chili.
Cheese – You can top this chili with your favorite shredded cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese, colby jack cheese, spicy pepper jack cheese or cotija cheese.
Other Suggested Toppings – In addition to cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped peppers and green onions or red onion, fresh cilantro, avocado, pickled jalapenos, fritos, tortilla chips, croutons and more. A side of Cornbread Muffins is perfection. You can also serve this chili on a baked potato.

Storage and Leftovers

Make-Ahead Tip – Slow cooker chili is one of those dishes that seem to be more flavorful with each passing day. You can easily prepare this one day in advance and chill, then reheat in a slow cooker the next day. This is especially helpful when entertaining.
Leftovers – You can store Crockpot Chili chilled in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating – Reheat in single serving portions in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat.
Freezer – You can freeze chili for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes to Make

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken and Vegetables is a complete meal.
Assemble this Slow Cooked Three Meat Lasagna and let the crockpot do the rest.
Crockpot Chicken and Dressing Casserole is a fan favorite!
Slow Cooker Potato Soup is comfort in a bowl.
Free up oven space with this Crockpot Mac and Cheese.
My recipe for Easy Cheesy Slow Cooker Grits is a game changer!
Slow Cooked Cowboy Casserole makes a family pleasing meal.
Serve up a Slow Cooker Cheesecake for dessert from The Magical Slow Cooker.

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