Easy Crock Pot Chili

Crock-Pot chili is hearty, will stick to your bones and is perfect for these cold winter months. It requires minimal ingredients and minimal effort, but produces a delicious meal that your family is sure to enjoy!

**UPDATED: JANUARY 8, 2022**

During the cold winter months, I find myself wanting to cook and bake more, especially things that warm the belly and the soul. Chili, to me, is a winter comfort food. It’s got hearty beans and ground hamburger, soft juicy tomatoes and the perfect amount of chili and cumin seasonings. There are so many ways people make chili, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy chili recipe, this is the one for you!

I truly love days where I utilize my Crock Pot. It only takes 15-20 minutes to brown the hamburger and dump all the canned goods into your Crock Pot, then you set it and forget it! It’s great for busy days, lazy days, snowy days, you name it. Your house also smells absolutely amazing the whole day and it makes you want to eat it so much more.

This chili recipe is super versatile and you can switch it up however you like it! You can make it with venison, turkey burger, more beans, different beans, whatever you enjoy! I even have a vegan option below!I love to pair my chili with rich cornbread, a little sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese. Some people like to add macaroni noodles (where I’m from, that’s called goulash), chips, avocados and more! I’ve even heard some people like to eat theirs with cinnamon rolls. You can also add cinnamon or cocoa powder to your chili recipe to add some depth of flavor.

PIN FOR LATER!

VIDEO

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CHILI

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• Skillet
• Spatula
• Cutting board and knife
• 7 qt Crock-Pot
• Large mixing spoon

INGREDIENTS

• ½ white onion or yellow
• 2 cloves minced garlic or 2 tbs
• 1 lb ground hamburger or ground turkey
• 28 oz diced canned tomatoes with the liquid or 2-15 oz cans
• 8 oz tomato sauce 1 can
• 6 oz tomato paste 1 can
• 15 oz rinsed and drained black beans 1 can
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING CROCK POT CHILI

In a skillet, add chopped onions and ground hamburger, and cook until the hamburger is browned. Drain the grease, add in garlic and cook an additional few minutes. Then add everything into the Crock-Pot.

Add in diced canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and rinsed and drained black beans.

Add chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and stir all together.

Put the lid on the Crock-Pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

OPTIONAL CHILI TOPPINGS

• Cornbread
• Crackers
• Chips
• Sour Cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Avocado/Guacamole

NOTES

• To make this easy chili recipe even easier, brown the hamburger (or meat of choice) the night before, or even a few days before, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Then all you have to do is dump all your ingredients in and go. You can even freeze browned hamburger.
• Prepare the onions ahead of time by chopping and refrigerating or chopping and freezing.
• Chili is a great freezer meal. Simply allow it to cool, place in a gallon freezer bag and freeze flat.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONS

• Add macaroni noodles to make it into goulash!
• Use different types of beans like kidney beans or pinto beans.
• Add in cocoa powder or cinnamon to make into more of a Cincinnati style chili.
• Add in green chilis or Rotel tomatoes to spice it up a bit.
• Try changing up the meat to turkey, vension or chicken!
• Peppers taste great in this chili too!

VEGAN OPTION

• In a skillet, sauté onions and garlic together and add to the Crock-Pot
• Replace the hamburger with two 8 oz cans of beans (black beans, kidney beans or whatever you like)
• Add one to two 4 oz cans of green chilis drained
• Add the same amount of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and seasonings
• Set the Crock Pot on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS ONE?

Looking for more easy recipes like this Crock Pot Chili ? Check these out!

• Cheeseburger Soup
• Crock Pot Pot Roast
• Homemade Bone Broth in the Crock Pot
• Homemade Crock Pot Yogurt

Did you make this Crock Pot Chili? If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave the recipe a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this recipe!