Best Beef Crockpot Chili
This flavorful chili is the best beef crockpot chili I have ever made and it’s so easy to make. Thick and hearty chili full of ground beef, chunky tomatoes, beans, and spices that is really good! Just cook the ground beef with onion, pepper and garlic and dump everything in your crockpot. Chili is a fall favorite that we all love for game day, family get togethers and parties. You can add in your favorite toppings or spoon it over a baked potato. There is nothing like a bowl of chili to warm you up this time of year. Personally, I could eat it anytime!
Ingredients for the best beef crockpot chili:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 14.5 oz cans chili ready diced tomatoes
- 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chili powder (I used six chili powder from Private Selections)
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp ground paprika
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 16 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 16 oz. can chili ready kidney beans, drained and rinsed (may use regular kidney beans)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 can (6 oz) beer (can substitute red wine, beef or chicken broth, tomato juice or apple cider)
Adding beer to chili enhances the flavor and adds a depth of flavor that is delicious in chili. It also helps thicken the chili. The alcohol will cook out and just leave the beer flavor. Any beer will do but dark or stout beers are highly recommended.
Note: No added salt is needed because of all the canned tomatoes and beans. You can add a little black pepper if desired to taste.
Suggested toppings:
- Grated Mexican cheese or cheese of your choice
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Tortilla chips or corn chips
- Sliced jalopeno peppers
- Sliced olives
How to make the best beef crockpot chili:
- Brown ground beef with onions and peppers in a large frying pan until beef is well browned and vegetables are tender.
- Add minced garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Cooking the beef with the vegetables before adding it to the crockpot gives it an amazing flavor.
- Drain grease from the hamburger by spooning it out of the pan.
- Place ground beef with vegetables in crockpot. Hint: Use a crockpot liner to make crockpot clean-up easier.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, spices, drained and rinsed beans, beef broth and beer to the crockpot and stir everything together.
- Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with toppings of your choice.
Notes:
- Chili can be made on the stovetop by browning the ground beef with onion, pepper and garlic in a large dutch oven. Add in the rest of the chili ingredients in order and stir. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer on the stovetop for 1-2 hours on low heat to blend the flavors and thicken the chili.
- To store chili, cool and store in the refrigerator in a covered container for 3-4 days.
- Chili freezes very well and can be frozen in an airtight freezer container for about 3 months. To unthaw, place in refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Other slow cooker recipes to try:
Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwich
Best Beef Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 14.5 oz cans chili ready diced tomatoes
- 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chili powder (I use Private Selections six chili powder)
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp ground paprika
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 16 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 16 oz can chili ready kidney beans, drained and rinsed can use regular kidney beans
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 6 oz beer May substitute red wine, chicken or beef broth, tomato juice, apple cider
Suggested Toppings:
- Shredded Mexican cheese (or cheese of your choice)
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Tortilla or corn chips
- Sliced jalapenos
- Sliced black olives
Instructions
- Brown ground beef with onions and peppers in a large frying pan until beef is well browned and vegetables are tender. Add minced garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Drain grease from the hamburger.
- Place ground beef with vegetables in crockpot.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, spices, drained and rinsed pinto and kidney beans, beef broth and beer to the crockpot and stir everything together.
- Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with toppings of your choice.