Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

This easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is packed with veggies, protein, and flavor. It’s comforting, spicy, and makes the perfect meal for weeknight dinners and hearty lunches.

Chili is one of my favorite winter meals because there’s just so much that you can do with it. I make chili all throughout the cold months and never get tired of it!

My Classic Chili Recipe is always a favorite, but I also enjoy trying different variations, like this hearty Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili or healthy Slow Cooker Beet Chili.

For more delicious chili recipes and inspiration, be sure to check out my favorite Top 30 Healthy Chili Recipes and my White Chicken Chili recipe.

I’m always looking for recipes that are super easy to make and come together pretty quickly. This slow cooker chili recipe only takes 10 minutes to prep, and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work.

It’s especially great for busy weeknights when you need an easy, healthy, and delicious dinner without all the work.

How To Make Slow Cooker Chili

Ingredients

• Olive oil — I like to use extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral oil will also work.
• Onions — Feel free to use white or yellow onion.
• Garlic — You can use either fresh garlic cloves or a jar of pre-minced garlic.
• Tomato paste — A little bit of tomato paste adds a ton of flavor.
• Seasonings — A blend of chili powder, crushed red pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. I can also use cayenne pepper.
• Ground beef — I prefer extra lean ground beef. You can also use ground turkey.
• Beans — A combination of kidney beans and pinto beans.
• Canned tomato — Diced tomato and tomato sauce add a nice, rich flavor.
• Beef broth — I like to use beef bone broth. You can also opt for a low-sodium broth.

Toppings

• Green onion — Add flavor and color with chopped green onion.
• Cilantro — Fresh cilantro gives a nice bright note.
• Sour cream — A dollop of sour cream really balances the dish.
• Cheddar cheese – I prefer freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese.
• Avocado – Diced or sliced avocado gives a nice creamy texture.

Have other favorite chili toppings like corn chips or chopped green bell pepper? You can use them too!

Instructions

Sauté the aromatics:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat on your stove top.
• Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, crushed red pepper, ground coriander, and ground cumin. Mix everything well to combine.

Cook the ground beef:

• In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook beef for about 5 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the beef and stir it as it browns.
• Once it’s cooked, transfer the ground beef mixture to the slow cooker.

Add ingredients to the slow cooker:

• Add the red kidney beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, salt, and black pepper.
• Stir well to combine, cover with a lid, and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Garnish and serve:

• Slow cooker chili is best served warm and loaded up with your favorite toppings.

How To Store Leftovers

• To Store: Allow the leftover chili to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I like to store the toppings separately in airtight containers or bags and use them as needed.
• To Freeze: Slow cooker chili is also a wonderful freezer recipe! Once the chili has cooled, I store it in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let the chili thaw overnight in the fridge, and heat it in the crockpot or stovetop.
• To Reheat: I recommend to reheat leftover chili in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until it is heated through.  

What To Serve with Slow Cooker Chili

• Fresh bread: My favorite way to enjoy chili is with warm, fresh-baked bread. Whether it’s low-carb dinner rolls, crunchy garlic bread, fluffy cornbread muffins, or gluten-free cornbread, it’s all so cozy and delicious!
• Crackers: Saltine crackers or oyster crackers are a quick and easy side dish perfect for slow cooker chili. For a healthier alternative, try my low-carb almond flour crackers.
• Side salad: For a nutritious and balanced dinner, serve a bowl of chili with a side garden salad, easy coleslaw, or this incredible sun-dried tomato pesto cauliflower salad.
• Baked potato: One of my go-to winter meals is this slow cooker chili on top of a fluffy baked potato. It’s so hearty and comforting! You could also make a variation of my delicious stuffed sweet potatoes.

Recipe Variations

• Customize the toppings: The right combination of toppings will take any bowl of chili to the next level. I prefer sour cream, cheddar cheese, fresh herbs, and diced avocado. You could also add a splash of hot sauce, black olives, feta cheese, shredded cabbage, or tortilla chips.
• Add veggies: Slow cooker chili is such a great dish to add extra veggies for picky eaters. Make this recipe with as many vegetables and beans as you’d like, or try my equally delicious extra-lean turkey chili with kale.
• Adjust the spice level: If you like your chili extra-spicy, feel free to add your favorite hot sauce or extra chili powder and red pepper flakes. If you prefer a mild chili, you can replace the chili powder with paprika and add flavor with dried oregano instead of red pepper flakes.

If you like this Slow Cooker Chili Recipe, please share with your friends and family. Do you want to taste more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow Primavera Kitchen on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for all delicious recipes updates. As always, I really appreciate you stopping by.

M