Description
A hearty and flavorful Ultimate Crockpot Chili recipe perfect for a comforting meal. This slow-cooked chili blends ground beef and pork with rich tomatoes, beans, and a blend of spices, resulting in a thick, savory stew that’s easy to prepare and customize with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes and Beans
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids and Spices
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings (Optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Cook Meat and Onions: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, ground pork (or turkey), and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Transfer to Crockpot: Move the cooked meat and onion mixture into your crockpot, ensuring all juices are transferred for maximum flavor.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, drained kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, optional cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook the chili on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking melts the flavors together, making the chili rich and tender.
- Alternative High Setting: If short on time, cook on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasonings if desired. Serve hot and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper to taste or add chopped jalapeños.
- To make it leaner, substitute ground turkey for ground beef and pork.
- You can use canned beans of your choice or soaked dried beans, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Leftover chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
- This chili freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (Low) or 3-4 hours (High)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
