Description
This Ultimate Crockpot Chili Recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. Combining ground beef and pork (or turkey) with a rich blend of tomatoes, beans, and spices, this recipe slow cooks to develop deep, comforting flavors. Ideal for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, it’s served with classic toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and crunchy tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Chili Base
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup beef broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Shredded cheese (for serving)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Chopped green onions (for serving)
- Tortilla chips (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, ground pork or turkey, and diced onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Transfer to Crockpot: Move the cooked meat mixture from the skillet to your crockpot, ensuring to get all the flavorful bits.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Into the crockpot, add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, drained kidney beans, drained black beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook on Low Setting: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken beautifully.
- Alternate Cooking on High: If short on time, cook the chili on high for 3 to 4 hours instead, ensuring it cooks thoroughly and flavors develop.
- Final Taste and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and with tortilla chips on the side for added crunch.
Notes
- For a milder chili, omit or reduce the cayenne pepper.
- Ground turkey can be used instead of pork for a leaner option.
- Beef broth adds depth, but water can be substituted in a pinch.
- Feel free to add extra beans or vegetables like bell peppers or corn for variation.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
