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This image shows a hearty bowl of crockpot chili served in a white bowl, topped with melted shredded cheese and freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of flavor and freshness.

Crockpot Chili Recipe

Crockpot chili is a hearty, slow-cooked dish made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Perfect for busy days, it simmers to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together. This easy, hands-off recipe is a comforting meal for any occasion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 246 kcal

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • stirring spoon
  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • Sharp knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped carrot
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can no-sugar added tomato sauce
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic powder
  • 1 tsp mild chili powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by placing the onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery in your 6-quart slow cooker.
    This image shows chopped fresh vegetables, including onions and bell peppers, being added to a slow cooker as the flavorful base for the crockpot chili.
  • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans to the pot.
    This image shows canned beans and diced tomatoes being poured into the slow cooker, building the rich and hearty base for the chili.
  • Sprinkle in 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
    This image shows a variety of spices, including chili powder and cumin, being sprinkled over the slow cooker mixture to enhance the chili’s bold flavor.
  • Stir everything well to combine the ingredients.
    This image shows all the ingredients in the slow cooker being stirred together with a large spoon, ensuring the flavors are evenly distributed.
  • Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
    This image shows the slow cooker lid being placed on top, beginning the process of slow cooking the chili to perfection over several hours.
  • Once the cooking time is up, uncover the slow cooker and stir in the lime juice and hot sauce if you prefer extra spice.
    This image shows freshly squeezed lime juice and a splash of hot sauce being added to the chili to brighten and spice up the dish.
  • Taste the chili and adjust seasoning by adding more salt if necessary.
    This image shows a spoonful of chili being tasted to check the seasoning, ensuring the flavors are balanced and ready for serving.
  • Serve the chili as-is, or with your choice of toppings like cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.
    This image shows a steaming bowl of crockpot chili served with melted shredded cheese and chopped cilantro, ready to enjoy as a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • For extra protein, consider adding ground meat or a meat substitute of your choice.