This slow cooker chili recipe is made with ground beef, vegetables, and the perfect blend of seasonings to make a delicious, robust, hearty chili recipe. We’re even sharing how to make this slow cooker chili a freezer meal.
Looking for a healthier version? Check out this delicious Slow Cooker Turkey Chili.
One of our most popular posts is our homemade chili recipe. It really is the best chili. We’ve taken that recipe and modified it a little to create this delicious slow cooker chili.
The Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
If you are looking for one of the best slow cooker chili recipes, then you came to the right spot. This chili is full of robust flavor and is seriously going to knock your socks off.
Not only that, but you can print out the full recipe card at the bottom of this post with all of our tips, tricks, and notes.
Let’s face it, this slow cooker chili recipe is best made ahead of time and frozen because of the prep, but if you have time on the weekend to create this dish, you are going to be very happy indeed. Ready to get started?
Slow Cooker Chili
Now don’t let this long list of ingredients daunt you and make you second guess making this recipe. Why? Well simple. It’s amazing. Just check out all of the reviews and comments this recipe has already in its original version.
You are going to be very happy with this recipe, and so will the people you are sharing it with.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chili
You need to have a good supply of seasonings, as that is what we use to make this chili so amazing. I recommend gathering the seasonings first before you get started to make this meal prep go a little faster.
Here is what you will need to have on hand:
- chopped onions
- bell pepper
- cayenne pepper
- white sugar
- oregano
- black pepper
- cumin
- chili powder
- pinto beans
- tomato paste
- kidney beans
- tomato juice
- lean ground beef
How to Make Chili a Crockpot Freezer Meal
I like to create this as a freezer meal. This beef chili recipe makes enough that I can place it into THREE freezer bags. So I actually place all of the ingredients in my large crock pot when I am creating it. Since this is a slow cooker chili, you can literally add all of the items in one at a time.
The first thing you will need to do is brown the beef on the stove top. Cook until there is no longer any pink in the meat. If I am making this as a freezer meal I allow the beef to cool before placing it into the bags.
If I am making this to go directly into the slow cooker, I will add the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker, add all of my other ingredients, and mix well. (I don’t saute the onion or green peppers since they will soften throughout the day.) Cover and cook for 8 hours on low.
You can scroll down to the bottom of this page for a printable recipe card with all of our easy instructions and a few additional notes. If you have any questions that I haven’t answered, I would love for you to leave me a comment and let me know! I can also update the post with relevant ideas that I may not have thought of, so feel free to leave me your suggestions as well.
Chili Topping Options
Once the chili is ready to serve, there are a lot of great options you can use for toppings. Here are some of my favorites:
- Sour cream
- Green chilies
- Diced jalapeno
- Shredded cheese
- Fritos
- Fresh Parsley
I love adding these toppings as they all go well with the chili flavor. Mix and match or use them all. You can never go wrong with too many toppings. 🙂
OTHER RECIPE YOU MAY LOVE
If you like this chili recipe, I have a few more you may also enjoy:
Are you ready to make this recipe?
Print out the full recipe card with notes and instructions below and start cooking. You are truly going to love this mouthwatering chili recipe. If you love this recipe as much as we do, make sure you give the recipe card a rating below. It lets our other readers know this one of the great recipes to make!
Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef lean/browned
- 1 1/2 cups onion chopped
- 1/4 cup bell pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 46oz tomato juice
- 1 15oz pinto beans
- 1 15oz kidney beans
- 2 6oz tomato paste
Instructions
- Cook the lean ground beef if you haven't already done so.
- Add ground beef, vegetables, seasonings, beans, tomato paste, and tomato juice to the crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS
- Brown the ground beef. Allow the beef to cool.
- Place all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Scoop the chili into freezer safe plastic bags or containers. Remove all air as best as you can. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To cook, allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in the slow cooker and heat on low for 8 hours.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Make this meal prep fast by gathering and measuring all seasonings ahead of time.
- Make sure to remove all air from the containers and bags before placing them into the freezer.
- This recipe make enough for 3 large freezer bags.
Not only looks delicious, but having a meal like this “on hand” is so great for those busy days when you can’t figure out when to cook… like the days you have to get 3 kids to 3 different places at the same time! Definitely going to give it a try:)
I have a question. Do you precook the ground beef before mixing then freezing?
Yes, precook the meat for a few minutes on medium heat until there is no pink. 🙂
Does this have to be made to be frozen or can it be made in the slow cooker right after browning the ground beef?
Do you have to freeze this to make it in the slow cooker? Or could you just brown the meat and then put everything in the slow cooker right away?
You can brown the meat and place everything in the slow cooker right away. No need to freeze first 🙂
Once you made the freezer meal, are there any additional ingredients that need to be added such as water and for how long in the slow cooker?
Probably a stupid question but after I freeze it when I go to pull it out to make it, do I need to thaw it out the night before in the fridge or can I just throw it in the crock pot?
Not a stupid question at all! I actually just throw mine into the crock pot and let it cook. I always let mine cook all day, so if you are able to that, you will be fine. 🙂