Gimme Some Oven

Slow Cooker Chili

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Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

I’m now calling this “victory chili”, because when I made it a few days ago for the Royals’ big wild card game, they freaking won and earned their way to the play-offs for the first time in 29 years!!!

Oh my goodness. People reading this post years from now will probably have no idea what I’m talking about. But this game was epic. Or as my dad called it, “the best game he had ever seen”. I think the entire city stayed up until midnight for the nailbiter of an ending, and you could literally hear cheering in the streets every step of the way. It was crazy! So crazy! And so awesome.

I spent the night cheering them on with about 30 neighbors for a Royals-edition of our weekly #neighbornights. And my contribution for the evening was a slow cooker full of delicious, classic chili. I recently confessed that I’m not a big fan of ground beef. But I know that all of my other neighbors seem to love it, so I took one for the team with this one. (Although if you’re in my court, you can easily substitute ground turkey or even chicken.)  They all totally gave it a big thumbs up. So since the Royals’ next playoff game is tomorrow night, I may just have to make another batch. You know, for good luck to continue on our awesome new winning streak. Go Royals!

Also awesome? The fact that I made this chili with a fancy new slow cooker that I recently received to test out — the Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Stovetop-Safe Cooking Pot. It’s the first-ever slow cooker that allows you to actually lift out the ceramic cooking pot and place it on the stove (to brown the hamburger, in this case) and then transfer it back to the slow cooker. It seems like such a no-brainer, but I’m obsessed with it now. And today I’m excited that we’re going to be giving away one of these fancy new Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker to one of you! So keep reading below for this slow cooker chili recipe, and also take a second to enter this giveaway for a chance to win.

Because in KC, you’d better believe we’re all about winning this week. ;)

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

Just like any other beef chili, the first step in this recipe requires browning the beef and onions. So I thought that was a perfect chance to test out the cool new stovetop capabilities of this new Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. Much to my surprise, the first thing I noticed when lifting out the ceramic pot is that this one is so much lighter than other slow cookers! I don’t know about you, but every other slow cooker I’ve had has a pot inside that is h-e-a-v-y. (Which I especially notice when trying to transport or wash it.)  But nope, this version is surprisingly lightweight and transferred easily to the stove.

From there, I just treated it like a regular stockpot on the stove to brown the beef and onions, and it worked like a charm! The only heads-up I’ll give you is that there are no handles on the pot. So if you want to move it around on the stove or whenever you’re ready to transport it, use potholders!

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

Once the meat was browned, I just added in the rest of the ingredients and set the handy little timer to cook on high for about 4 hours…

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

…and the slow cooker worked its magic and this steaming, delicious pot of chili was ready for the big game.

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

Since I was cooking for a big crowd, I decided to kind of aim for the middle when it came to the seasonings and heat in this chili recipe. But I did add in a few chipotle peppers for a smoky kick. And if you love heat, I definitely recommend adding in an extra jalapeno or two.

But other than that, this basically defines what I think of as classic chili. It’s thick, beefy, tomato-y, slightly spicy, a little smoky, and SO GOOD.

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

Perfect for eating in a big bowl by itself. Or I noticed that my neighbors also transformed it into all sorts of things, like frito pie, chili baked potatoes, chili cheese dip, and chili dogs. Basically however you like chili, it’ll work.

So check out the recipe, and be sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a fancy new Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker of your own!

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

Oh. And goooooooooo Royals!!!! :)

Classic Slow Cooker Chili -- super easy to make, and SO GOOD! | gimmesomeoven.com #soup #fall #gameday

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Slow Cooker Chili

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 41 reviews
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 250 minutes
  • Total Time: 260 minutes
  • Yield: 8 -10 servings 1x

Description

This classic slow cooker chili recipe is easy to make, and so comforting!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 medium red or yellow onion, peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped (*add more for extra smokyness and heat)
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (**see below for substitution ideas)
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
  • 1 cup beer or beef broth
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • (Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips or strips, thinly-sliced green onions, sour cream, salsa, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. (Or if you are using this Crock-Pot slow cooker, heat oil in the ceramic stovetop-safe bowl on the stove over medium-high heat.) Add the ground beef, onion and garlic and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until the beef is completely browned, crumbling the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Drain and discard the excess fat/grease. Then transfer the beef into the bottom of a slow cooker. (Or transfer the stovetop-safe bowl back into the slow cooker.)
  2. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper or seasonings if need be.
  3. Serve warm, with desired toppings.

Notes

*I used about 3 chipotle peppers, but did not add any extra adobo sauce.

**If you don’t like kidney beans, you can also substitute in black beans, pinto beans, or great northern beans.

 

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452 comments on “Slow Cooker Chili”

  1. I would make a chicken and stuffing recipe that makes the chicken come out so tender and juicy!

  2. I would finally tackle my family’s Italian Beef recipe. Slow cooked, sliced thin, piled high on a good roll… I’m drooling.

  3. I love making lemony lentil soup in the mornings so I can come home to a house that smells amazing!

  4. This chili! I made it last night, but cooked it on the stovetop.

  5. I would like to cook a Beef Stew in my new crockpot

  6. Chili and soups that are perfect for this cool fall weather 

  7. I work full-time and a really nice Crockpot would be wonderful to cook our dinner meals!

  8. I am excited to make some slow cooker meals! I really want to try a new chili recipe I found :)

  9. My husband loves chili and can’t wait to try this slow cooker recipe.

  10. I’ve always wanted a crock pot! I would probably use it to cook chicken or beef and shred it up for sandwiches or tacos ;]

  11. Chili is definitely my favorite thing to cook in a slow cooker!

  12. I <3 my crockpot, it makes shabbat dinners SO easy. I clean and prep everything Thursday night, load the veg, brown the meat, set it in the morning and go to work. When I get home 7-9 hours later this is an amazing aroma in the apartment and delicious food waiting for me! All I have to do is unplug it, open some wine, unwrap the challah from the bakery, light candles, say some blessings and eat!

  13. I would make a chowder, or slow cooked beef amongst so much else… lots of options!

  14. White Chicken Chili :-) my favorite… would be delightful in this Crock Pot.

  15. I found you on Pinterest. I follow you on Feedly. Your blog is amazing!

  16. Chili sounds fantastic right now, and that’s probably the first thing I’d make.
    PS. Go Royals! Take the Crown! :)

  17. I love to cook soups, stews, and been dishes in the slow cooker. 

  18. I would love to cook the Enchilada Soup in this slow cooker

  19. Cream Tomato Soup w/Tortellini – made it last weekend and would
    love to make it again!  It was delicious!

  20. I always add a small spoonful of cocoa to my chili. 

  21. As a college student in a small apartment, I’m hesitant to buy any new kitchen equipment, but with a busy schedule, having homemade food ready and waiting may be worth it! So many great stews, enchiladas, a roast…

  22. I would love to cook chili or red beans and rice in this Crock Pot,

  23. yum! I would love to cook this in this crockpot and eliminate the extra mess

  24. Everything looks yummy!

  25. would love to try some type of breakfast like overnight oats

  26. Looks yummy! I just found your site today. Where/how did you learn to cook?(You seem to know how to make everything!)

  27. Definitely trying this chili recipe! Also, love to make chicken and beef for tacos, burrito bowls, etc.

  28. Trying this recipe tonight for football sunday!

  29. I’m looking for healthy recipes to try and lose weight and keep  it off. I love the instructions on this site.

  30. That chili looks gooood! Can’t wait to make some!

  31. Have always wanted to cook a turkey or turkey breast in a crockpot.

  32. This chili looks great and the crock pot would be great for the next time I make the slow cooker chicken enchilada soup.

  33. Boiled peanuts!

  34. I was just searching Pinterest for some new crock pot recipes when I came across your “Victory chili”….    I will definitely be making it this week…  We are NJ KC Royals fans!!!!  My husband has been a fan since he was 8….    We LOVED Kansas City & hope to return someday with our 4 boys (17, 14, 12 & 7).   

  35. Looks delish!

  36. Chili would be a great one to make in it!!! :)

  37. Looking forward to making the Chili!!

  38. I’d like to make a batch of pasta sauce, because I could saute my veggies right in the pot, then add the rest of the ingredients and slow cook it.  Always tastes better when it’s slow cooked!  And then, vegetarian lasagna.

  39. I just discovered the wonderful uses of a crockpot! Goona try this recipe ASAP :)

  40. I would make all kinds of vegetable soups, especially split pea soup which I love. I think the crock pot would be great for cooking chick peas and beans as well.

  41. I would make chicken and dumplings, and then try to tackle your chilli recipe!

  42. I would use this everyday!!!

  43. I’d love to make a roast chicken with lemon and paprika.

  44. I use my crock pot probably twice a week! It helps with my sanity as hungry little tummies are always showing up. I would LOVE a stove top to slow cooker crock pot! That would save even more time and give me less dishes which makes me want to cry tears of joy. 

    My most common crockpot meals? A whole chicken, and a variety of chicken soups. 

    BTW – I’m using this recipe for our church’s annual chili cookoff tomorrow. Last year we only got four votes, soooooo I’m hoping this really is VICTORY chili ;) !! 

  45. Crockpots are awesome! Great for sports nights and busy weekends.  

  46. I’d love to cook healthy meals that I can dig into when I come home from work!! :) 
    I’m trying your recipe right now and I CANNOT wait to taste it!
    (Then again, I’m always a little impatient and sneak tastes every hour or so when I”m using my crockpot.)

  47. I would make soup! :) 

  48. I would cook Mojo Pork.  I would use this Crock-Pot Slow Cooker all of the time.  Love the stove top safe cooking pot feature.  With this great feature browning ingredients would be much simpler. Would love to win.

  49. I’d make chili or soup!