Why Make This Recipe
Crockpot chili is an easy and delicious meal perfect for busy days or gatherings. Once you prepare the ingredients, all you need to do is set your slow cooker and let it work its magic. This recipe packs a lot of flavors and is customizable to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a great way to use simple ingredients while enjoying a hearty and satisfying dish.
How to Make Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- In a crockpot, combine the browned beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
How to Serve Crockpot Chili
Crockpot chili is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it with toppings! Consider adding shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips for extra flavor and texture. It pairs well with cornbread or over rice for a complete meal.
How to Store Crockpot Chili
To store leftover chili, let it cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Tips to Make Crockpot Chili
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce grease.
- Feel free to add other beans, like black beans or pinto beans, for more variety.
- Adjust the chili powder and cumin to your taste, depending on how spicy you like your chili.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat or extra beans.
Variation
Consider adding chopped bell peppers, corn, or even diced jalapeños for a spicy kick! You can also make it a white chili by using chicken or turkey instead of beef and using white beans.
FAQs
1. Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare it the night before and refrigerate it. Just cook it the next day when you’re ready to eat.
2. Is this chili gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients in this recipe are gluten-free. Just double-check any canned products you use.
3. Can I cook it on high heat?
Certainly! Cooking on high heat takes about 3-4 hours, while low heat takes around 6-8 hours. Both will yield delicious results.
Crockpot Chili
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A hearty and flavorful crockpot chili recipe perfect for busy days and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat and drain excess fat.
- In a crockpot, combine the browned beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 360 minutes (6 hours) or high for 240 minutes (4 hours).
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For added flavor, serve with toppings such as shredded cheese or sour cream. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.