Name: Crockpot Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds lean ground beef (*see note); 2 medium yellow onions (diced, ½-inch); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 (12 ounce) can light beer; 2 (15 ounce each) cans red kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes (with juices); 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juices); 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 medium green bell pepper (diced, optional); 4 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon cumin; 2 teaspoons dried parsley; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Crockpot Chili Recipe

Flavor: Savory and hearty with a rich beef-and-tomato base, layered with warm chili spices, garlic, and a subtle malty depth from the simmered beer.

Why Make It: Browning the beef, onions, and garlic first builds rich, savory flavor, while the slow cooker does the rest of the work for an easy, hearty chili.

Tools: A large skillet for browning the beef and a slow cooker to bring everything together.

Total Time: 4 Hrs 15 Mins (15 Min Prep) Servings: 10 Cooking Method: Slow Cooker

Ingredient Notes

tomatoes , garlic , beer , ground beef , onions , pepper , beans , tomato sauce , seasonings with writing to make Crockpot Chili Recipe.

Lean Ground Beef: Lean beef keeps the chili hearty and flavorful without making it greasy. For a lighter, more budget-friendly batch, use 2 pounds of beef and add extra beans.

Light Beer: Adds a subtle malty, savory depth when simmered down with the beef. For an alcohol-free option, substitute the beer for beef broth.

Kidney Beans: Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the chili. For a different texture and flavor, substitute some or all of the kidney beans with pinto or black beans.

Whole Tomatoes: Give the chili a rich, rustic texture and hearty tomato flavor. Lightly crush or mash them before or during cooking for smaller, more evenly distributed pieces.

Seasoning Mixture: Use store-bought or homemade chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper to create a warm, savory, and subtly smoky flavor base.

Green Bell Pepper (Optional): This adds a fresh, slightly earthy flavor to the chili. For a sweeter flavor, replace with red bell peppers.

More Vegetables (Optional): Add extra vegetables for more flavor, texture, and heartiness. Stir in precooked and drained mushrooms, diced zucchini, or extra bell pepper.

How to Make Crockpot Chili

seasonings in a bowl to make Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe.

Mix the seasonings (full recipe below).

adding spices to beef to make Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe.

Add the seasonings to the ground beef.

pouring beer into beef and onion mixture to make Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe.

Add the beer and simmer.

adding ingredients to pot to make Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Add the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker and cook.

Set out shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and quick pickled jalapeños so everyone can top their own bowl.

Holly’s Secrets to Better Chili

Brown in Batches: Three pounds of beef can overcrowd an average skillet. Browning in batches gives the meat better color and flavor.
Reduce the Beer: Let most of the beer cook off before transferring the beef to the Crockpot. Too much remaining liquid can thin the chili.
Give It Time to Rest: Chili thickens noticeably as it cools. Let it sit uncovered for about 30 minutes before deciding if it needs a thickener, like a cornstarch slurry.
Don’t Overfill: When scaling up, don’t fill the slow cooker more than three-quarters full so it cooks properly.