To me, chili is the quintessential comfort food during fall and winter.  When the days are cold and the wind gets blustery, nothing hits the spot like a big pot of crockpot chili, a pan of freshly baked cornbread, and the whole family sitting together around the table.

My family jokes that my chili timing is terrible.  It never fails that we get a warm front on the day I decide to make chili and we’re sweating it out while we eat spoonfuls of the comfort food.  

Has that ever happened to you?  This week I timed it just right and we enjoyed our chili on a day that was, indeed, chilly.  And now let me share the best chili recipe for your cold days!

How to Make Crockpot Chili

To make this slow cooker chili recipe, you’ll need ground beef, an onion, garlic, green pepper, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and a handful of spices.

{You can find ingredient measurements and full instructions in the recipe card found further down in this post.}

Brown the ground beef with the diced onion and garlic …

… the combine the ground beef mixture with all the other ingredients in a slow cooker.  

Cover and cook for a few hours or all day long, as it suits your schedule.

Then grab the family and enjoy a cozy meal together around the family table!

Want some other easy crockpot ideas?  Check out these 21 Day Fix crockpot recipes from Carrie Elle!

Can this chili recipe be made in an instant pot?

Yes.  Brown the meat in the instant pot first and then add the other ingredients.

Can this recipe be made on the stovetop?

Yes.  Brown the meat along with the garlic and onions in a large pot, then add the other ingredients and cook over medium-low heat for at least an hour.

Can this recipe be adapted for a meatless version?

Definitely.  Skip the ground beef and add extra cans of black beans, pinto beans, or navy beans, as desired. 

Since the recipe won’t require browning the meat, you can choose whether you cook the onions and garlic or just throw them in raw with the other ingredients {raw works great since they’ll cook throughout the day in the crockpot}.

The Best Crockpot Chili Recipe

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours 6 seconds

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes 6 seconds

An easy crockpot chili recipe with ground beef and beans.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green pepper, finely diced
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine the ground beef, diced onion, and garlic, and cook over medium heat until the ground beef is browned.
2. Drain as needed.
3. Place the ground beef mixture and all the other ingredients in the crockpot.
4. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours.
5. Serve with grated cheese, sour cream, or your other favorite chili toppings.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 325Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 644mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 29g