Slow Cooker Beef Chili is a classic chili recipe with one special ingredient that makes it THE BEST chili recipe I’ve ever made! This chili recipe can be made right away in the slow cooker, or it can be made into a freezer meal for an easy weeknight dinner any time!

When the weather turns cooler, slow cooker recipes are my go-to for any night of the week. I love making different types of chili recipes, especially on game day, but nothing quite compares to a bowl of classic beef chili. Along with a big piece of cornbread? Now we’re talking!

Best yet – all of my kids love chili and cornbread (and it almost always guarantees it will be a bath night – ha!), which means there are absolutely no complaints around the dinner table. There’s nothing better than a bunch of well-fed, happy kiddos!

I love making this Slow Cooker Beef Chili, because I love how flavorful chili is after cooking in a slow cooker all day. After six to eight hours of cooking, this beef chili is so full of flavor!

What You’ll Need

• Ground Beef – I like to buy organic ground beef from Costco – it’s a great deal!
• White Onion
• Red Bell Pepper
• Garlic
• Spices – chili powder, cumin, salt, and smoked paprika give this chili a ton of flavor!
• Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Kidney Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Baked Beans – my secret ingredient!  I also use this in my turkey chili, and I love the hint of sweetness it adds to the chili.

How to Make Freezer Chili

This recipe is so easy to make into a freezer meal. Simply cook the ground beef on the stovetop, and then add the rest of the ingredients along with the cooked beef to a freezer bag. Freeze until you’re ready to cook. Once you’re ready, thaw the freezer bag in the refrigerator overnight. Then follow the cooking directions for the slow cooker. So easy!

This chili recipe truly is a family favorite of ours. It’s perfect for a chilly autumn or winter evening – what’s cozier than a bowl of chili?! My suggestion? Make a double batch – one for tonight and one for the freezer. You will definitely thank yourself later!

Like this recipe? Check these out, too!

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Tomatillo Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

An easy recipe for beef chili in the slow cooker, that can also be made into a freezer meal!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef, chili, crock pot, ground beef, slow cooker, soup

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

8 hours

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 450kcal

Author: Taylor

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 white onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can Pinto beans drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can baked beans
• 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• diced green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt for topping

Instructions

• If your slow cooker has a brown/saute function, turn it on. Otherwise, heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks.
• If cooking on the stovetop, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce and stir well.
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
• Serve topped with shredded cheese, diced green onions, and sour cream/plain Greek yogurt!
• Enjoy!

For Freezer Meal:

• Cook ground beef in a pan on the stovetop.
• Add ground beef and all other chili ingredients (except for toppings) to a freezer bag. Freeze flat until ready to cook.
• Once ready to cook, thaw bag overnight. I find it's helpful to put it on a plate or in a baking dish to prevent any leakage.
• Place in slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1711mg | Potassium: 1439mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2051IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 8mg

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