Hearty Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe: A Weeknight Hug (Print Version)

This Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe brings warmth and flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy evenings, it’s a hearty, comforting meal everyone loves.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (if using GF broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Chili Base

01 - 2 lbs lean ground beef (85/15 recommended)
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
07 - 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
08 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

→ Flavor Builders

10 - 2-3 tbsp chili powder
11 - 2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
16 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

→ Toppings & Finishers

17 - Shredded cheddar cheese
18 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
19 - Fresh green onions, sliced
20 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - Cornbread, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your biggest skillet and brown that ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. Once it's all browned, drain off any excess fat—don't skip this, or your chili will be greasy, trust me, I've been there. Then, toss in your diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until they're soft and smell absolutely amazing. This step is crucial for building flavor, honestly, don't rush it! I always take a moment to just breathe in those incredible smells.
02 - Now for the magic! Add your tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano to the skillet with the beef and veggies. Stir it all around for about a minute, letting those spices toast. Oh, the aroma! It's incredible, seriously. This really wakes up the spices and deepens their flavor. I used to just dump everything in the slow cooker, but toasting the spices first? Game changer. It makes such a difference in the final taste, you wouldn't believe it.
03 - Transfer that glorious beef and spice mixture from your skillet straight into your slow cooker. Then, add the diced tomatoes (undrained!), beef broth, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Make sure all those beautiful ingredients are nestled in there. It's starting to look like chili already, isn't it? I always get a little excited at this point, picturing dinner already.
04 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker. Now, you've got options: cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for low if I'm prepping it in the morning before work. It just means the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. I've accidentally cooked it on high for too long once, and it got a bit too thick, so keep an eye on it if you're doing the high setting. It should be bubbling gently and smelling fantastic.
05 - Once the cooking time is up, give your chili a good stir. The beef should be super tender, and the beans soft. Taste it! This is where you adjust your seasonings. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Maybe a little more cayenne if you want an extra kick? I always find myself adding just a touch more salt here. It's amazing how much flavor develops over those hours, honestly.
06 - And there you have it, your Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe! Ladle it into bowls and get ready for some serious comfort. This is where the fun really begins with all the toppings. I usually have a little taste test before anyone else, just to make sure it's perfect, you know? It should be thick, rich, and utterly delicious. The color, the aroma, it's all just so inviting.

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip browning the meat; it adds so much depth, honestly.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker
02 - large skillet (optional)
03 - measuring cups and spoons
04 - can opener

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

Back