Categories Dinner Recipes, Easy Recipes, Slow Cooker

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

by Annmarie

This easy Crockpot Chili recipe is a crowd favorite and has taken home top honors at multiple chili cook-offs! It’s a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for game day, cozy weeknights, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Packed with ground beef, Italian sausage, a trio of beans, hearty vegetables, and a rich tomato base, it’s all brought together with a bold homemade chili seasoning. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let the magic happen—this truly is the best slow cooker chili recipe you’ll ever make!

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

This easy Crockpot Chili recipe is a crowd favorite and has taken home top honors at multiple chili cook-offs! It's a hearty, flavorful dish that's perfect for game day, cozy weeknights, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper finely diced
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery 2 stalks
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion 1 small onion
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper optional, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 48 ounces chili beans pinto beans in chili sauce, 3×16-ounce cans
  • 56 ounces petite diced tomatoes 2×28-ounce cans
  • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
  • 1 pound Italian sausage mild or hot

Seasonings:

  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, see note 2
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 beef bouillon cubes
  • Toppings of choice see note 3

Instructions

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.
  2. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet. Add the bell peppers, celery, onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally until tender, about 5–8 minutes. Add the seasonings and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, 1–3 more minutes. Transfer everything to the slow cooker.
  3. Add the chili beans (with liquid), diced tomatoes (with liquid), sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled bouillon cubes to the slow cooker.
  4. In the same skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage over high heat. Brown in batches, if needed, so the meat can be in a single layer and is able to sear nicely instead of steaming, which adds more flavor. Cook until deeply browned. Drain excess fat, then add the meat to the slow cooker along with the bacon. Stir everything well.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings (like salt, pepper, and chili powder) if needed. Serve with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese.

Notes

Note 1: This recipe fills a 6-quart slow cooker to the top. It makes a huge batch, perfect for eating throughout the week, taking to a chili cook-off, or freezing in portions.

Note 2: The jalapeño and cayenne pepper add a lot of heat, so omit or reduce if you prefer a milder chili.

Note 3: Add your favorite toppings such as sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, sharp cheddar cheese, cilantro, lime, jalapeños, corn chips, etc.

Storage: Store leftover Crockpot Chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to enjoy!

Please leave a star rating and comment to let us know how you liked this recipe!Source