Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Name: Slow Cooker Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 490 min
Total time: 505 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 0.75 cup diced onion; 0.75 cup diced celery; 0.75 cup diced green bell pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 (10.75 ounce) cans tomato puree; 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid; 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained; 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans with liquid; 0.5 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 0.75 teaspoon dried basil; 0.75 teaspoon dried oregano; 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley; 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper; 0.125 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Cook Time: 490 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly. Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings.

1 pound ground beef
cup diced onion
cup diced celery
cup diced green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (10.75 ounce) cans tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans with liquid
tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
teaspoon dried basil
teaspoon dried oregano
teaspoon dried parsley
teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

Step 1: Place ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the beef is evenly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 2: Transfer the cooked beef to a slow cooker. Add the diced onion, celery, bell pepper, and minced garlic.

Step 3: Add the tomato puree, kidney beans (both with and without liquid), and cannellini beans (with liquid) to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Season the mixture with chili powder, salt, dried basil, oregano, parsley, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Step 5: Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8 hours. The mixture should be hot and flavorful once the cooking time is complete.

Step 6: Serve hot in bowls, and feel free to add your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Information	Amount
Calories	273
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	34mg
Sodium	975mg
Total Carbohydrate	33g
Dietary Fiber	11g
Total Sugars	5g
Protein	19g
Vitamin C	22mg
Calcium	85mg
Iron	5mg
Potassium	546mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

The Slow Cooker Chili is a comforting dish that has captured the hearts of home cooks across the world. This hearty meal is easy to prepare, with ingredients like ground beef, kidney beans, vegetables, and a blend of spices that create a rich, flavorful base. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or at a casual gathering, this dish offers both warmth and satisfaction with minimal effort.

Origin and History

Chili, often associated with the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, has a rich and somewhat debated history. While the exact origins remain unclear, it is widely believed that chili was influenced by the flavors of Mexican stews combined with the use of indigenous ingredients such as chili peppers, beans, and meat. The slow cooker version, specifically, gained popularity in the mid-20th century, when modern conveniences like electric slow cookers made it easier for families to prepare meals with minimal active cooking time. This adaptation allows the chili to simmer for hours, melding the flavors to perfection.

Regional Variations

Chili recipes vary widely depending on region, with some areas favoring beans while others exclude them. For example, traditional Texas chili typically omits beans altogether, focusing on meat and chili peppers, while other regions may include beans, tomatoes, and even more diverse vegetables. The Slow Cooker Chili recipe featured here reflects the Tex-Mex style, balancing ground beef with kidney beans and a rich mix of spices, making it a popular choice in many households across the United States.

What Sets It Apart?

The Slow Cooker Chili stands out due to its convenient cooking method. Unlike traditional chili recipes that require constant attention on the stovetop, this slow-cooked version allows you to prepare the ingredients in advance and let the slow cooker do the work. The result is a thick, flavorful chili that develops depth over time. Additionally, the slow cooker version is versatile, with the ability to add or swap ingredients based on personal preference, such as different types of beans, ground meats, or extra spices to adjust the heat level.

Where Is It Typically Served?

Slow Cooker Chili is typically served as a comforting meal for family dinners, especially on cool evenings. Its commonly found at gatherings like potlucks, tailgates, and cook-offs, where its hearty and filling nature makes it an easy crowd-pleaser. It can be topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro, adding extra layers of flavor and texture. Many people also enjoy pairing it with cornbread, crackers, or tortilla chips to complement the dish.

Fun Facts

The word "chili" comes from the Spanish word "chile," meaning "pepper." It refers to the chili peppers that are a key ingredient in the dish.
Slow cookers, also known as crockpots, became popular in the 1970s and revolutionized the way people cooked stews, soups, and chilies by allowing for easy, long-simmering meals.
Chili is often considered a "comfort food," offering both nutritional value and emotional warmth, making it a go-to dish during the colder months.
In some regions, chili is considered a sport, with chili cook-offs being a popular community event, where local chefs compete to make the best chili.

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FAQ about Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Yes, you can make this chili in advance! After cooking, let it cool to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Leftover chili should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store it for a longer period, freeze the chili in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Absolutely! You can swap the kidney and cannellini beans with other types of beans such as black beans, pinto beans, or garbanzo beans. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if using dried beans, as they will need to be pre-soaked and cooked before adding to the slow cooker.

Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef in this recipe. It will still give you a flavorful chili, but it will be leaner. You can also use ground chicken or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

If your chili turns out too thick, you can add a bit of water, broth, or tomato juice to loosen it up. Add small amounts at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Yes! You can increase the heat by adding extra chili powder, hot sauce, or fresh chopped peppers like jalapeños, serranos, or even habaneros. Taste it as you go to make sure it's at the level of spiciness you like.

Cooked chili can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Yes, you can freeze leftover chili. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.

Chili is great with a variety of toppings! Some popular choices include shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, avocado, and crushed tortilla chips. You can also serve it with cornbread or over rice.

Yes, you can cook the chili on high for 4 hours instead of low for 8 hours, but the flavors may not develop as fully. If you're in a rush, high heat is a good option, but for the best results, low and slow is preferred.

Yes, you can double the recipe to serve more people or have leftovers. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the increased ingredients, and consider adjusting the cooking time slightly, as a larger batch may take a little longer to cook.

Yes, you can make chili on the stovetop instead of in a slow cooker. Simply brown the beef and sauté the vegetables in a large pot, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. This will yield a quicker version of the chili.

Comments

Figment78

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I love this recipe! I have made it twice now and the only thing I did different was add more of the veggies and used a little cheyenne pepper to give it more of kick (but not too much). I ended up making it with pinto beans the second time around instead of kidney beans (I live in CO and during the blizzards the grocery stores were a little low on items) and it tasted great once again.

CPolencheck

01/29/2007 08:25:58 AM

I had success with this recipe, with a few small changes from reading reviews. I did NOT add celery. I also drained 2 cans of beans and left one undrained. I used one can of tomato puree and one can of diced tomatoes. I bumped up the seasonings by using 1.5 T of chili powder, extra garlic, and almost 1 tsp of tabasco. The chili came out great and my husband described the flavor as "earthy." He liked it.

Catherine Fabre

03/30/2023 04:17:13 AM

After cooking the beef, I did not drain it before adding it to the slow cooker. I substituted the 2 cans of tomato puree with 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, and 1 can of tomato paste. I only used 2 cans of kidney beans, 1 drained and 1 with liquid. I increased the chili pepper to 1 T. I added some paprika and cumin, about 1 t each of them.

SmartBowl5288

09/10/2024 12:24:55 AM

I added a little extra beans because of available can sizes, and I used a full medium onion. Fried half the onion and half the celery with the beef and then tossed it all in the slow cooker. Easily the best chilli I've ever made.

redsx44

01/22/2018 03:13:54 AM

It was really good with a few modifications. Since some reviews said flavor was lacking, I added 1 diced poblano pepper, 1 minced jalapeño pepper and 1/8 cup fresh minced parsley (instead of dried). Since I added the above for heat/spice, I substituted ground cumin for the chili powder and added two dashes of cayenne. I rinsed the beans before adding and ended up using 1 large can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz) and 1 regular size (15oz). Although this is much more than the recipe calls for, my chili still came out chunky and not at all soupy.

FrothyYeast2269

08/27/2022 06:19:41 PM

My whole family loved this recipe. I swapped a can of kidney beans for an additional pound of ground beef. I also used 1 whole tablespoon of chili powder. Will definitely make this again!

Allrecipes Member

10/22/2018 12:31:18 PM

I actually added 3 pounds of ground beef and swapped a few other different types of beans, added 1 full chopped sweet onion, 1 full green bell pepper. I did not include the liquid of any of the beans except for the chili beans. Once, it's cooking and looking at the texture, I added 1 can of tomato sauce to give it the chili sauce. Made enough for a weeks worth of meals.

PerkyFarro4330

10/22/2018 12:31:18 PM

Cherry Baumgartner

09/22/2019 01:26:12 AM

I actually did not use the spices indicated but used 2 packages of McCormick Chili Mix instead. I also doubled the recipe and used 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of ground turkey with 2 cans of kidney beans and one can of cannellini beans with 27 oz tomato puree plus 2 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes. I cooked 2 hours on high and 5 hours on low. Delicious!!!

Jason Wilson

08/24/2024 05:07:13 AM

Added the onions, garlic, and celery to the pan while browning the beef. Replaced the green pepper with a diced jalapeño and Serrano. Resulted in a nice “Texas” flavored chili, medium spicy.

cucurene

12/17/2018 12:10:57 AM

One thing to know about me, I doctor every recipe... I almost tripled the recipe, 2.7 lbs ground beef. I added a&o to the beef while browning. I used one Vidalia onion and two small red onions, because I like the bite of a red onion. I sautéed the onions, celery and garlic for a few minutes, adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to caramelize a bit. Substituted red pepper for green, only because it’s what I had. Used two 28oz cans of San Marzano peeled tomatoes, pureed, with 1/2 tube paste. Added cumin and cayenne to taste (guessed). Even better than anticipated.

Laura

09/24/2025 02:59:16 PM

I am not a chili person but husband is. He loved it and I could eat it again. I added fresh avocado and shredded cheese as a topper. Use ground turkey instead of beef but both would be equally good. Very easy and yummy.

JJP

09/20/2025 01:52:50 AM

Only used kidney beans, but it was a crowd favorite in an office chilli cook-off. I enjoyed it very much, extremely flavorful and hearty. Add crackers and cheese with the left overs.

Dennis Nguyen

02/15/2025 05:57:52 AM

I’m honestly proud of how this turned out.

PlushCod5225

02/09/2025 08:12:43 PM

So easy to make. So delicious. I made this on a whim and had all ingredients on hand. Love the recipe and all the flavors.

Jeffrey Martinez

02/03/2025 07:31:36 PM

So simple, yet tastes gourmet.

Matthew Squadrito

01/16/2025 01:06:20 AM

Double the spices

Elisha B

12/30/2024 09:26:48 PM

When I started making this I thought that there wasn't enough chili powder and the cumin was missing. Needless to say, I made the recipe exactly as it was written and I can confirm, it lacks a chili flavor. Overall, the flavor wasn't bad but it just wasn't a chili. I ended up adding more chili and cumin to taste so I could get that classic chili flavor.

QuirkySieve6174

09/07/2024 08:40:48 PM

Wayyyyyy too many beans, and wasn't very flavorful, followed the recipe to a T

Karen Walker

05/12/2024 04:46:26 PM

Made it once and I’m hooked.

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Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Origin and History

Regional Variations

What Sets It Apart?

Where Is It Typically Served?

Fun Facts

FAQ about Slow Cooker Chili Recipe