Description
This hearty crockpot chili recipe is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion. It’s an easy set-and-forget dish that deepens in flavor as it simmers in your slow cooker, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or spicy Italian sausage, or additional ground beef)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 30 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 29 ounces diced tomatoes (including their juice)
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until mostly cooked through.
- Add the diced onion, chopped red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker.
- Add the rinsed and drained kidney beans and pinto beans to the crockpot.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce.
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar.
- Stir everything to combine well.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- When done, ladle the crockpot chili into bowls and serve with desired toppings.
Notes
- This recipe is a great base; feel free to adjust spices and beans to your preference.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a spicier crockpot chili, increase the cayenne pepper and hot sauce, or add chopped jalapeños.
- Variations include using all beef, ground turkey or chicken sausage, or adding vegetables like corn or zucchini.
- For a deeper flavor, stir in a little cocoa powder or dark chocolate at the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-6 hours (depending on setting)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
- Calories: Estimated 400-500 per serving (will vary based on exact ingredients and toppings)
- Sugar: Estimated 10-15g
- Sodium: Estimated 800-1200mg (will vary based on canned goods and added salt)
- Fat: Estimated 15-25g
- Saturated Fat: Estimated 5-10g
- Unsaturated Fat: Estimated 10-15g
- Trans Fat: Estimated 0g
- Carbohydrates: Estimated 30-40g
- Fiber: Estimated 8-12g
- Protein: Estimated 30-40g
- Cholesterol: Estimated 80-120mg
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