Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe Hearty

If you’re searching for the best crockpot chili recipe look no further This easy slow cooker chili is packed with bold flavors tender ground beef and hearty beans making it a perfect dinner for busy weeknights or cozy weekends Plus it’s incredibly versatile you can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste and leftovers taste even better the next day

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Crockpot Chili

Minimal effort Just brown the beef toss everything in the crockpot and let it do the work Big bold flavors A perfect blend of spices beef and beans creates a rich and satisfying chili Great for meal prep It stores well in the fridge or freezer for easy future meals Customizable Adjust the spice level swap proteins or make it vegetarian with simple tweaks

Ingredients For Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe Hearty

Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ pounds lean ground beef or mix of lean and extra lean Salt & pepper to taste
1 yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup beef broth
1 red bell pepper diced
1 green bell pepper diced
15 oz can chili beans
15 oz can diced tomatoes
15 oz can kidney beans mashed
½ cup sweet corn

Toppings Optional but Recommended

Shredded cheese cheddar Monterey Jack Sour cream or Greek yogurt Green onions or cilantro Avocado slices Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread

How to Make This Easy Crockpot Chili

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe Hearty Step by step

1 Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat Add ground beef season with salt & pepper and cook until browned Drain excess grease if needed then transfer to your slow cooker

2 Cook the Onion and Garlic

In the same skillet sauté diced onion and garlic until softened about 3 to 4 minutes Stir in tomato paste chili powder paprika cumin and oregano Cook for 30 seconds Pour in beef broth scraping up any browned bits from the pan Transfer mixture to slow cooker

3 Add the Remaining Ingredients

Stir in diced bell peppers chili beans diced tomatoes and mashed kidney beans Mix everything well cover and cook

4 Slow Cook to Perfection

Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours Stir in sweet corn and adjust seasoning in the last 15 minutes

5 Serve and Enjoy

Dish up your chili with your favorite toppings and enjoy a warm comforting meal

FAQs

Can I Make This Chili Without a Slow Cooker?

Yes You can make it on the stovetop Simply brown the beef in a large pot add the remaining ingredients and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes stirring occasionally

How Can I Make This Chili Spicier?

Add more chili powder or cayenne pepper Stir in chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes Mix in a bit of your favorite hot sauce before serving

Can I Use Ground Turkey or Chicken Instead of Beef?

Absolutely Ground turkey or chicken works great as a leaner alternative Just add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to maintain moisture

Can I Make This Chili Ahead of Time?

Yes Chili actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months

What Are the Best Toppings for This Chili?

Cheese cheddar Monterey Jack Sour cream or Greek yogurt Chopped green onions or cilantro Avocado slices Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread

Can I Make This Chili Vegetarian?

Yes Skip the beef and add an extra can of beans black beans pinto beans or more kidney beans You can also add diced mushrooms or lentils for texture

Storage & Freezing Tips

Make ahead Brown the beef and mix all ingredients the night before then store in the fridge until ready to cook Leftovers Store in the fridge for up to 3 days Reheat on the stove or microwave Freezing Let chili cool then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving

Serving Ideas

With cornbread A perfect match Try this homemade cornbread recipe homemade cornbread recipe Chili Mac Stir leftovers into cooked macaroni top with cheese and bake until bubbly Game Day Chili Bar Serve with toppings and let guests build their own bowls Chili Pie Spoon chili into a casserole dish top with biscuit dough and bake until golden

Final Thoughts

This easy crockpot chili is a go to comfort food that’s simple satisfying and perfect for any occasion Whether you prefer it spicy mild meaty or vegetarian this recipe is versatile and always a crowd pleaser Give it a try and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments If you loved it pin it on Pinterest for later