This easy beef chili recipe will leave you feeling full and fueled! Chili is great to make on those chilly fall and winter nights when you’re in need of a comforting meal. This chili is made simple and easy in the crock pot and cooks all day long (having dinner waiting for you at the end of the day is a win in my book)!
Beef chili recipe
Chili makes such a cozy and comforting meal. Typically, chili consists of a protein source, veggies, beans, and seasonings. And this recipe is just that! Plus, it’s made in the crock pot for ease and simplicity. Also, what’s so great about chili is that it’s so versatile. You can really use any protein you like, any veggies, and any seasonings! This crockpot chili recipe takes all your classic chili ingredients and makes the best beef chili.
Ingredients in this beef chili
The ingredients in this recipe are simple and wholesome. I love recipes that require staple ingredients that you likely already have on hand. To make this chili, you will need the below ingredients.
Lean beef is the main protein source. We will be using two pounds of beef. I recommend using 90/10 lean beef!
We will add some finely diced yellow onion into the beef. You can also use a white or red onion if that’s all you have on hand.
A tablespoon of oil to cook the beef and onion.
Seasonings: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, brown sugar or coconut sugar
Canned kidney beans in chili are a must! Make sure to drain and rinse your beans before adding them into the chili. You can also use a mixture of kidney, pinto and black beans. Just use about 15 ounces in total.
Canned diced green chilis add flavor! They bring a slightly medium-hot taste to this chili.
Jalapeños for added spice! If you like spicy, don’t fully de-seed the jalapeños. Make sure to add in a few seeds for extra spice.
Chopped bell pepper and carrots for added veggies and texture. What’s great about chili is that you can really add any veggies you like. Bell peppers and carrots are definitely a favorite!
Canned diced tomato and canned crushed tomato help create the base of this chili. They add flavor and liquid to create the best base.
Along with the canned tomatoes we will add beef broth to finish off the base of this chili. You only need one cup! However, you can add more once the chili is done cooking if you want more liquid.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This chili is very filling and has 38 grams of protein per serving!
- It is made simple and easy in the crockpot.
- This chili is loaded with veggies and good for you ingredients.
- It has jalapeños for add spiciness and flavor.
- Beef chili is totally customizable – you can really add any veggies you like!
How to make beef chili
STEP 1
Sauté the ground beef. Add a tablespoon of oil to a large pan. Once simmering, add the onion and beef. Sauté the ground beef and onion until browned and cooked through about 7-10 minutes. Meanwhile, add all the seasonings together in a small bowl.
STEP 2
Add the cooked beef to the bottom of the crock pot. Then add the seasonings. Stir to combine.
STEP 3
Now add all the the remaining ingredients to the crockpot: chopped carrots, chopped peppers, beans, canned green chilis, diced tomato, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
STEP 4
Let the crock pot do the work! Cook the chili on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours.
STEP 5 (the best step!)
ENJOY! Enjoy the chili as is or add some of your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, or jalapeños.
Substitutes and toppings
Meat. This recipe calls for two pounds of lean ground beef. However, you can really use any meat protein you like! Beef, turkey, ground chuck, or brisket are all great options.
Bell peppers. This recipe calls for one bell pepper. Feel free to use any color! Green, red, yellow, or orange will work.
Canned tomatoes. This recipe calls for one can of regular diced tomatoes. However, you can also use canned fire roasted tomatoes.
Chili isn’t complete without the addition of delicious toppings. When it comes to chili, toppings are a must! Here are some toppings you are going to love:
- Sour cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Sliced jalapeños
- Corn chips
- Avocado
- Crackers
How to store
Chili makes great leftovers! It actually tastes better as it sits for a day or two. To store this chili, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat the chili, simply add it back to a pot on the stove and heat until simmering. Also, you can reheat the chili in the microwave.
Alternatively, you can freeze this chili! Eat half of the chili now and freeze the second half for a later date. You can store this crock pot beef chili in the freezer for three months. Just make sure to store it in a freezer friendly. These freezer cubes are a great way to store soups and chilis in the freezer! To reheat the chili from the freezer, let it thaw at room temperature or add it to a large pot over the stove.
Try these recipes next!
If you love soup and chili, definitely give these other recipes a try.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with No Beans
The Easiest Roasted Tomato Soup
I love hearing from you!
Did you make this beef chili? I love hearing from you so please don’t forget to rate this recipe or leave a comment down below! Your feedback and support is super helpful to me and to other readers thinking about making this recipe. For some more recipe inspiration, you can also find and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest. Enjoy!
Easy Beef Chili Recipe in Crock Pot
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 lbs lean beef plus salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small yellow onion
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp EACH: cumin and paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp EACH: salt and pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Remaining Ingredients
- 2 large carrots peeled and diced
- 1 bell pepper any color, diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers diced and seeds removed
- 1 15oz can kidney beans
- 1 5oz can diced green chili
- 1 15 oz can diced tomato
- 1 28oz can crushed tomato
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Sauté the ground beef. Add a tablespoon of oil to a large pan. Once simmering, add the onion and beef. Sauté the ground beef and onion until browned and cooked through about 7-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add all the seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Add the cooked beef to the bottom of the crock pot. Then add the seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Now add all the the remaining ingredients to the crockpot: chopped carrots, chopped peppers, beans, canned green chilis, diced tomato, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Let the crock pot do the work! Cook the chili on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours.
- ENJOY! Enjoy the chili as is or add some of your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, or jalapeños.
We had the jalapeño chili 🌶️ this evening. As always, another great idea from this website. Thank you. The family want it again!