Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe
Make the best Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and smoky spices. This rich, comforting slow cooker chili is perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, or meal prep and freezes beautifully for later.
Ingredients
For the Chili
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth or water
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped green onions
- Diced avocado
- Tortilla chips or corn chips
Instructions
Brown the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened.
- Drain off any excess grease and transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot.
Add the Remaining Ingredients
- To the crockpot, add:
- Kidney beans
- Black beans
- Diced tomatoes (with juices)
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Diced green chiles
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper (if using)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Beef broth
- Stir well to combine, making sure the spices are evenly distributed.
Slow Cook the Chili
- Cover the crockpot with the lid.
- Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed.
Serve
- Once the chili is thick, bubbly, and fragrant, ladle into bowls.
- Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, or tortilla chips as desired.
- Serve hot with cornbread, tortilla chips, or a simple side salad.
Notes
Boost the flavor: Browning the ground beef with onion and garlic before adding to the crockpot builds deeper flavor than adding raw meat.
Adjust the spice level:
Milder: Reduce chili powder and omit cayenne.
Spicier: Add more cayenne, diced jalapeños, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Customize the meat: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and sausage for a different flavor profile.
Thicker chili: Let it cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes, or stir in 1 tablespoon of cornmeal or masa harina to thicken.