Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (2024)

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Perfect for a cold winter night and a game day cookout, this Crock Pot Chili makes a big batch of this fan favorite. The best part? It makes so much that the whole family can have a big bowl of chili the next day—and maybe even the next day after that.

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (1)

Easy to make and even easier to fall in love with, homemade chili is the ultimate comfort food for a reason. Hearty, packed with veggies, and loaded with our favorite toppings, this slightly spicy chili is a great way to not only feed a crowd, but to sneak more veggies into your kid's diet. Whether eaten from a bowl or scooped with tortilla chips, this chili will warm even the coldest souls.

What You Need to Make the Best Pot of Chili

Chili is always the right choice. So get your ingredients ready, dump 'em in, and walk away for a few hours, by the time you come back a thick chili you can stand a spoon in will be ready for you.

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (2)

Ingredients

  • Ground Chuck - lean ground beef works best!
  • Onions - chopped
  • Green Bell Pepper - chopped
  • Garlic Cloves - minced
  • Diced Tomatoes - don't drain the juice! It adds to the recipe.
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato paste
  • Chili powder
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Ground Red Pepper - add a little spice!
  • Bay Leaf
  • Light Red Kidney Beans - make sure to drain and rinse them before using.

How to Make This Easy Slow Cooker Chili

The beauty of slow cooking means that once you've done the prep and poured it in the crock pot, you're basically all set for the next 6-8 hours. Follow these steps to make the best chili recipe around.

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, work in batches to brown the raw ground beef
  • Once browned, crumble into pieces, drain the excess fat, and place in your slow cooker.
  • Saute onion and garlic in the same pan used to brown beef. Add to slow cooker.
  • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili beans, green peppers, and seasonings to your crock pot and mix thoroughly.
  • Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low 7-8 hours. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (3)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (4)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (5)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (6)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (7)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (8)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (9)
Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (10)

Serve with your favorite toppings and a side of cornbread or these yummy cheddar biscuits.

What to Serve With

Chili is all about personal tweaks, so this is really your time to shine! Make a chili bar full of classic toppings like cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, corn chips, and hot sauce!

Leftover chili is one of the best ways to mix things up. Try adding it eggs in the morning, use it to top off a chili dog, or try mixing it with this creamy mac and cheese for some yummy chili mac.

And if you are looking for a lighter take on chili, this ground turkey chili and chicken taco chili are great options!

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (11)

Expert Recipe Tips

After cooking the onions and garlic, add a little olive oil and saute the tomato paste until it reaches a dark red shade. This caramelizes the tomato paste and adds deeper flavor!

​A little bit of brown sugar or even a piece of chocolate adds a subtle touch of sweetness and umami to the dish.

Looking to thin out a thicker chili? Instead of water, try using beef broth instead for more depth.

Leftovers and Reheating

Chili is even better the next day thanks to all that chili seasoning melding together as it sits. Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than four days or freeze it for up to four months. This is one of those tried and true recipes that can be made any way you like and last for a long time!

Pro Tip - freeze chili in individual portions to have some whenever you like without having to defrost the whole batch!

More Recipes to Try

A good chili is hard to get off the mind. Here are a few other hearty options for when you're craving a bite of comfort food.

  • Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
  • Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • Seafood Scampi Pasta
  • Lasagna Fritta {Copycat Olive Garden Recipe}

Dive into a great chili recipe and let the good times (dinner) roll. If you've tried this recipe, please rate the recipe and drop a comment below to help out the next reader.

📖 Recipe

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (17)

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili

Create a mouthwatering, hearty Crock Pot Chili with our simple, easy-to-follow recipe that lets the slow cooker do all the work for you. Savor the rich, comforting flavors of this ultimate comfort food with minimal effort, perfect for busy days or cozy nights in.

4.52 from 91 votes

Print Pin Rate

Dinner

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (18) American

Author: Kita Roberts

6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Serves: 1 batch chili

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs ground chuck
  • 2 medium onions - chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper - chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves - minced
  • 3 14 ½ oz cans diced tomatoes, untrained
  • 4 8-oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 6-oz can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 16-ounce cans light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • Toppings: sour cream - shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, sliced ripe black olives

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, work in batches to brown the ground chuck.

  • Crumble, drain and place in a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.

  • Stir in the onion through kidney beans.

  • Cover and cook on High for 5 to 6 hours or on Low 7 to 8 hours. Remove and discard bay leaf. Serve with desired toppings and some cornbread. Told ya it was simple.

Notes

This chili isn’t lying. It makes a huge batch. Be prepared to have some friends over or make space in the freeze

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 733mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Help out the next person and give it a star rating below!

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (19)

Recipe FAQ's

Why do you put sugar in chili?

A touch of sweetness can turn a good chili great. It balances out the spicy, savory flavors without overpowering or changing the flavor profile. Give it a try, and start with a small amount if you're hesitant!

What are the best chili beans?

The best beans to use are ones that will keep their shape and texture through the long cooking process. Dark or light kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans are all great options.

What if I don't have a crock pot?

A Dutch oven works just as well! You can even make this on the stove top in a heavy-duty pot; just adjust the heat and check in on the chili after 3-4 hours.

Kita

Kita is a world traveled photographer and writer with over a decade of experience. An award-winning co*cktail developer and not-so-secret BBQ aficionado.

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (2024)

FAQs

Does chili thicken as it cooks in crock pot? ›

Yes! The longer you simmer chili with the lid off of the pot the thicker it will get. The excess liquid will turn into steam and help reduce the chili down to a nice, thick consistency.

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Should I stir crock pot chili? ›

It depends on the cooking method. In the crock-pot/slow cooker I would never stir it or even take off the lid until it should be close to done. In a pressure cooker, the same thing. On the stove top, I stir often because as it thickens, you want to stir to prevent possible scorching on the bottom of the pot.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Can you cook chili too long in crock pot? ›

Can I overcook chili in a slow cooker? Yes, but it would take a while. I have cooked this chili for 9 hours on low and it was delicious but ever-so-slightly burnt on the top. The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Cook it long enough

Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Is it OK to leave chili in a crock pot overnight? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? ›

Insufficient seasoning, such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt, can lead to bland chili. Chili relies on a combination of spices and seasonings for its distinctive flavor. Be sure to taste your chili during the cooking process and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Can you leave cooked chili in crockpot overnight? ›

So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Cinnamon adds a different spice profile than chili powder or red or cayenne pepper would. It is a common savory spice in Indian food and I believe it's also used in savory dishes in Chinese cooking. It's a very versatile spice :).

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

How long does it take for chili to thicken in crock pot? ›

Our top ways to thicken chili is to simply remove the lid of your pot or crock pot. This cooks the liquid off the chili is your simmer it a little longer. Just 30 minutes of extra cooking makes the excess liquid cook off.

Why is my crock pot chili watery? ›

This can be the result of: Adding too much stock, broth, or water. A base of beef broth, chicken broth, or stock (and occasionally water, milk, or cream), sets the tone for most chili recipes. If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required.

Does cooking chili longer thicken it? ›

Simmer Longer

One of the easiest ways to thicken chili is to simply increase the cooking time. Simmer your dish for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring it occasionally, says Traci Weintraub, chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, a meal delivery service and restaurant in Los Angeles.

How long does chili need to simmer to thicken? ›

Simmer it longer: The simplest way to thicken your chili is to cook off the remaining liquid. Set your stove on low heat and remove the lid of your pot, letting the chili simmer for five to ten minutes, depending on how much liquid is leftover.

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