The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This super easy crockpot chili is THE BEST Chili Recipe because it’s thick and hearty and filled with ground beef, three types of beans and the perfect blend of chili spices.

Pair this awesome slow cooker chili with my Sweet Cornbread for the perfect southern comfort meal.

The Best Chili Recipe (1)The Best Chili Recipe (2)I’ve been making this homemade Crockpot Chili Recipe for years, and it’s always a family favorite. I wanted to take the time to update the photos and share this delicious classic chili recipe with you again.

What Makes This The Best Recipe?

This thick and hearty chili only takes a few minutes of prep work and then it’s slow cooked to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.

The chili is filled with the perfect blend of spices, beans and hearty ground beef. It’s one of my go-to recipes for feeding a crowd and it also freezes very well.

The Best Chili Recipe (3)

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

I’m using a combination of canned beans (feel free to swap in your own favorites) as well as diced onion and peppers.

Ingredients for Beef Chili

  • Ground Beef– lean ground beef
  • Red Bell Pepper– you can use green bell peppers if desired
  • Dice Onion– yellow or white onion
  • Canned Pinto Beans– drain the canned beans to remove about 85% of their liquid
  • Canned Kidney Beans – I prefer the dark red version
  • Canned Black Beans
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Tomato Puree
  • Rotel Diced Tomatoes
  • Sugar – just a little to balance the heat
  • Chili Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Cumin
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper

How To Make The Best Chili

Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet, drain off any fat and then add it to the slow cooker.

Do You Have to Brown Beef Before Slow Cooking?

Yes, it’s a good idea to brown the ground beef in a skillet before slow cooking.

Break the beef up with a wooden spoon to crumble it, making it easier to eat, then drain off any excess fat from the skillet before adding it to the crockpot.

The Best Chili Recipe (4)

Combine Beans and Spices

Next, add in the diced bell peppers, onions, canned beans (make sure to drain the beans about 85% of the way) and spices, as well as the tomato sauce and puree.

Cook on LOW

Give all the ingredients a good stir, then cover and cook on LOW heat for 6 to 8 hours.

The Best Chili Recipe (5)

Chili Recipe Variations:

  • For this recipe I am using ground beef, but you can easily substitute ground pork, turkey or chicken in it’s place.
  • Make this a vegetarian chili recipe by omitting the ground beef entirely.
  • Switch out the red bell pepper for a green bell pepper if desired.
  • Add some diced jalapeños to the chili for an even spicier version!

Let the flavors blend on low for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can bump it up to high for 3 to 4 hours.

Can You Make Chili In The Instant Pot?

Yes! I’ve converted this slow cooker recipe to an easy to follow Instant Pot version. You can find the recipe HERE.

The Best Chili Toppings:

Of course you can enjoy a big bowl of this thick chili without any toppings, but my favorite thing to do with chili is load it up with some of my favorites.

  • Sour cream
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Freshly chopped cilantro
  • Avocado Slices
  • Corn Chips

The Best Chili Recipe (6)

What To Serve With Chili?

Pair your perfect bowl of chili with any one of these delicious side dishes for an out of this world meal!

  • Mexican Grilled Corn
  • One Hour Dinner Rolls
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Corn Pudding Casserole

The Best Chili Recipe (7)

Give this thick and hearty chili a try in your slow cooker today!

HELPFUL PRODUCTS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:

Make sure you don’t miss a thing! Follow I Wash You Dry here:
FACEBOOK|PINTEREST |TWITTER|INSTAGRAM|BLOGLOVIN

The Best Chili Recipe (11)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

4.99 from 111 votes

The Best Chili Recipe

This thick and hearty Chili Recipe is filled with ground beef, beans and the perfect blend of spices, then slow cooked to perfection.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time6 hours hrs

Total Time6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 346 kcal

Author: Shawn

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper; seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 onion; diced
  • 1- 15 oz. can pinto beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can kidney beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can black beans
  • 1- 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1- 10 oz can tomato puree
  • 1- 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili fixin’s
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Brown ground beef till no longer pink, drain, and add to crock pot.

  • To the crock pot add the bell pepper, onion, all the beans (drain about 85% of the liquid from the beans before adding to the slow cooker), tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Add all the spices, and give it a good stir.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Notes

Top your chili with sour cream and shredded cheese if desired. Can be frozen for up to 5 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1192mg | Potassium: 1153mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1586IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 6mg

Keywords: CrockPot, Slow Cooker, The Best, Thick and Hearty

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don't forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE

The Best Chili Recipe (12)

Related Posts

  • Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

    All of a sudden it's chilly outside! I'm pretty sure…

  • Slow Cooker Raspberry Chipotle Little Smokies

    These Slow Cooker Raspberry Chipotle Little Smokies are sweet and…

  • Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

    Come home to a warm and inviting dinner with this…

The Best Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.

What chili has the best flavor? ›

In talking with many pepper enthusiasts, we've found the Habanero to be universally considered to be one of the best tasting peppers.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Why do you put butter in chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

What is chili magic? ›

Where there's chipotle smoke, there's chili fire. Bush's® Chili Magic® Campfire Style brings tender pintos together with smoky chipotle and green bell peppers for quick, unforgettable chili any night of the week.​

What makes Wendy's chili taste so good? ›

Wendy's chili is made with a blend of beef and spices that create its unique flavor. The beef is slow-cooked and blended with a mix of chili spices, including chili pepper, cumin, garlic, and onion.

How do you make chili taste richer? ›

I like to give my chili a little more complexity, so I'll often add canned chipotle chili peppers, a touch of cinnamon or Chinese 5 spice, chocolate and cilantro or coriander. A few other flavor boosting ingredients could be: smoked sausage, grilled corn kernels, coffee, beer or roasted tomatoes.

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

Does Ina Garten have a chili recipe? ›

It's no surprise that Ina's chili recipe is a cinch to make. You start by cooking a ton of onions in a pot until translucent, then adding garlic, bell peppers, and several spices — including chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Next, Ina has you crush canned plum tomatoes with your hands.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Should you simmer chili covered or uncovered? ›

Chili can be cooked uncovered or covered, but both are preferable. Chili cooked uncovered will thicken and reduce in liquid, making it a more hearty dish. When covering your chili, you will keep the heat in and prevent it from boiling over.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

Though it may be an unusual choice, coffee adds an earthy richness to the existing flavors and plays well with spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Plus, it's a flexible ingredient – while we typically reach for instant espresso powder, you can also add in brewed coffee, making this dish the perfect use for leftovers.

How important is oregano in chili? ›

Oregano is an important herb in chilli con carne. The oregano that you'll most commonly find is the Mediterranean kind, commonly found in Greek and Italian cooking.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5782

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.