Daily Meal Journal

Slow Cooker Chili

This slow cooker chili recipe gets you that cooked-all-day flavor with minimal effort. Make it for an easy weeknight dinner or bring it to the tailgate!

By Erin Merhar   Published: Feb 11, 2022

Jump to Recipe
Slow Cooker Chili
Yields:
4 qt.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
4 hr 20 mins

Will DickeyYields: 4 qt.Prep Time: 20 minsTotal Time: 4 hrs 20 minsSavePrintA pot of chili slowly simmering on the stove sounds like the ultimate cozy winter dinner idea. But what if you didn't have to stay near that pot for hours on end? Enter: the slow cooker. This slow cooker chili has all the flavor of your favorite chili recipes yet it's even easier to make than classic versions. This chili is the perfect crowd-friendly dish add to your list of Super Bowl recipes. Just plug in your slow cooker and set out toppings like chips, cheese, and sour cream for everyone to build their own bowl!

Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!

If you need it done sooner, cook the chili on high for four hours. But if you have a little time to spare, you can cook it on low for six hours instead. After it's done cooking, set your slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the chili hot for longer.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Step 1
    In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the ground beef and break apart into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute.
  2. Step 2
    Drain the beef mixture then transfer it to a slow cooker with the chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Stir in the tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, salt, and black pepper. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Reduce the heat to warm and serve out of the slow cooker.
  3. Step 3
    Serve bowls of chili with sour cream, cheese, sliced jalapeños, and corn tortilla chips.