This recipe for The Best Crock Pot Chili gets better as it cooks low and slow in the slow cooker. Ground beef, seasonings and tons of flavor!
A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE CHILI
For me, there is nothing more comforting on a cool fall day than some delicious chili and warm CORNBREAD straight out of the oven! I actually won a chili cook-off with this recipe so I can promise you that it is one that most people love without it being too spicy or overwhelming with strong flavors. Most of us want to enjoy the flavor of the chili - not just spiciness and heat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes! This is really where the crock pot shines. Chili loves to cook slowly for a longer amount of time. It also wastes a whole lot less electricity than if you let it cook on your stovetop all day!
I have two actually. A can of refried beans and Worcestershire sauce. The refried beans really give the chili a nice thick texture (and flavor!) and the Worcestershire adds just a tiny background flavor that people can never quite put their finger on but makes all the difference!
In general, the longer the chili gently simmers, the better and deeper the flavors get. See my question below about overcooking.
Strictly speaking, you do not. You could technically put in a very lean meat in with your other ingredients and let it cook then break it up as you go or at the very end. However, I have found through lots of trial and error that it really is best to brown the meat first. It makes a huge difference in the overall final dish and helps to keep the chili from getting too greasy.
I think 8 to 10 hours should probably be the maximum amount of cook time. After that, the beans start to break down from being overcooked. It's not going to make you sick or anything but you start losing that optimal texture and flavor. If you have a programmable slow cooker, set it for about a 6 hour cook time then let it go to the "keep warm" setting until you're ready to eat.
Cornmeal helps. Start with a tablespoon then stir for a few minutes. Continue adding cornmeal and stirring it in until you reach your desired thickness. You could also use an extra can of kidney beans or pinto beans and mush them up really well then add to the crock pot. Allow the mixture to continue to simmer for about an hour and you should see the chili start to thicken.
When you've cooked chili and stored it in the refrigerator overnight, then go to pull it out the next day to reheat, it always seems to taste better, right? You aren't imagining that - Chili is so much better the next day! Basically that time it is hanging out in the fridge is giving time for those chili flavors to really deepen without overcooking. It is creating it's own unique flavor that you just can't get from the chili while it is still cooking. So save those leftovers!
Absolutely! Just pop your leftovers back into the slow cooker and (depending on how quickly you need it) set it on a high or low setting for a couple of hours until warmed through.
As I stated above, chili is wonderful when stored in the refrigerator overnight. So store leftovers in a lidded container (allow the chili to cool slightly before doing this.) Chili can also be frozen. Just make sure you are storing it in an airtight container that is freezer safe.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR CHILI: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- ground beef
- celery
- onion
- chili powder
- cumin
- garlic
- petite diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- dark red kidney beans
- beef broth
- refried beans
- Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CHILI
In a skillet, brown and crumble ground beef with celery, onion and garlic over medium high heat until meat is completely brown and vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
Drain excess grease and pour beef mixture into a 4 quart (or larger) crock pot.
Open cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans (do not rinse or drain) and refried beans, beef broth and dump those into the crock pot. Add chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire sauce and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cover with lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours (the longer, the better.)
Taste before serving and add more salt and pepper as necessary.
Serve with your favorite toppings.
CRAVING MORE? GIVE THESE RECIPES A TRY!
The Best Crock Pot Chili (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 ½ Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
- 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans
- 15 ounce can beef broth
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions and sour cream
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, brown and crumble ground beef with celery, onion and garlic over medium high heat (until meat is completely brown and vegetables are tender.) Season with salt and pepper.
- Drain excess grease and pour beef mixture into a 4-quart or larger crock pot.
- Open cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans (do not rinse or drain), refried beans, beef broth and dump those into the crock pot. Make sure you break up the refried beans a bit after putting those in the pot.
- Add chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire sauce and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover with lid and cook on low for about 4-6 hours (the longer, the better).
- Taste before serving and add more salt and pepper as necessary.
Video
Notes
- Serve with your favorite toppings. This is great for a crowd. It is easily doubled and you can put toppings out in bowls and let guests add whatever they like.
- If you want to turn the heat up on your chili, you can add 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced to the pot. Or, you can just add a few shakes of hot sauce.
- Also, try adding other types of beans along with the kidney beans. Pinto beans and black beans would be great in here.
- If you like your chili even thicker, add a bit of cornmeal. Or use an extra can of kidney beans or pinto beans and mash them up really well then add to the slow cooker. Simmer for an additional hour.
- Diced green peppers can also be added to this chili if you enjoy them. Sauté them along with the ground beef, celery and onion.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: January 2011
Updated & republished: September 2019
Amanda
Just made today and we loved it!! I did add a little cornmeal to thicken the chili, but my hubby said it was the best meal I’ve ever made ????. The cornbread.... to die for!! The best either one of us has ever had!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Amanda!! Oh wow - that is awesome! Cornmeal is always the way to go. Love it! Thank you for coming back to comment!
Danielle
This chili recipe was a huge hit last night. I have to say it was the most flavorful chili I've ever had. It's always scary to try new recipes but this chili was amazing. I added bell peppers and doubled the garlic. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Danielle! Sure do appreciate you coming back to let me know. Thanks so much!! So happy it was a hit!
Amanda
This is the best chili I've ever had and first time I've ever made chili. I will always use this recipe from now on. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Amanda! Woo hoo! Absolutely love hearing that it turned out great for you!! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Amber
I am going to use deer burger for this recipe. How would you change things? Also thinking about leaving it on low overnight.
Sandy
Found your recipe, lost mine.. DELICIOUS!! I had some leftover bacon in the fridge..crimbled it in, sprinkled with chives...Yummy!
Perfect match for the Chili!
Thank you so much for putting this up, I have to say it's better than the one I misplaced..☺
Everything happens for a reason..right??? ????
Brandie
That is great Sandy! So glad you found this recipe to enjoy!
ajm021
Is it okay if it cooks longer than 8 hours?
Brandie (The Country Cook)
It should be fine to cook a little longer or if your crock pot has a warm setting it can sit on warm for a bit until you can get to it. Enjoy.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
ha! Thank you Molly!!
Anonymous
So i made a mistake i accidentally put my crockpot on high for 4 hours insteaf of low will it be ok it looks really soupy i switched it to low
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Add some cornmeal to it and it will thicken it up. Hope that helps!
Kimberly Shamel
Can you tell me approx how many people this recipe will feed? TIA.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
About 4-6 (depending on how large the serving size is)
Alana M
I made the chili and the cornbread tonight for my family and it was DELICIOUS!!! For the chili we doubled everything except for the broth and omitted the onions and celery and cooked it on the stove for about 2 hours. This was the first chili recipe that I have come across that was just what I was looking for 😀 The cornbread was perfect as it wasn't too sweet nor too dry and I cooked it in the 8x8 casserole dish. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
LOVE hearing that Alana!! Thank you SO much!
Anonymous
Just made your cornbread and it's delicious! Thank you for a great recipe!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I know a lot of my fellow southerners have heart palpitations when I mention that I love a sweet cornbread (many call it corn cake) but I don't care - I love it! Ha!
Pam
if you use 2 lbs of meat do you just double everything else? Sorry if it's a dumb question, I'm not much of a cook LOL
Brandie @ The Country Cook
You don't have to at all. It'll just make it a little thicker and meatier 🙂
Sarah
If you double the entire recipe do you have to alter the cook time?
Kim Honeycutt
I love chili and this sounds awesome!! I pinned it a while back but forgot to make a comment. Thanks!!
Anonymous
I'm making it right now! Mine is a little runnier than I would have thought and it's been on about 5 hours. I've never made chili so I wanted to ask if it should be and if not, how can I fix it? Thank you!! Love your recipes!!
Name Already Taken
I think this is very similar to my chili but with the cumin and celery difference, so I am going to try it. Big ballgame coming up Monday so this will be a treat for my game-on husband for a very cold day.
Vicki
I make my cornbread with Lilly White Cornmeal (recipe on back of bag) in a 10" iron skillet. Put your skillet in the oven & get it hot with a little oil to keep the cornbread from sticking. Let the cornbread cool just a bit. Turn the iron skillet up side down. The cornbread also know as a corn pone should just fall out. As far as peanut butter & crackers with chili. My husband who's southern born has been eating peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with his chili since he was a little boy . Oh tried your hamburger steak recipe it was Yummy.
Yum Yucky
I need this cornbread in my life. My stomachs will be very pleased.
Teresa Gunnels
This is a great crock pot chili! My family loved it! Thanks
Anonymous
Thank you! I love all your recipes..
April
This recipe is great!
Anonymous
I made this Chili and Cornbread tonight!! I could have eaten the entire pan of cornbread!! SOOOO good!!! I have tried SO many of your recipes...they never disappoint! Thank you!!!
Christina
I have made the cornbread 3 times now. This is such good, moist, and just plain corn goodness. I have had such great luck with the recipes you post! I am going to be making a carrot cake in the next week...I only wish I was using a recipe from you, because then I know it would be great, lol! Anyway, the cornbread is awesome. We always devour it.
The Country Cook
Hey Christina & USA Mom! Thank you for taking the time to come back & let me know how it turned out for you! I truly appreciate your comments. It means so much to me to know folks are enjoying the recipes from this website. So thrilled you loved it!