We might be a little biased, but we think this slow cooker chili recipe is the best chili ever! Whip up a batch as a perfect game day snack, or enter it in this year’s chili cook-off. It has all the beefy, spicy flavor you know and love, but we added a few secret ingredients that take things to the next level. Adding smokey bacon and pickled jalapeno slices really amps up the flavor, and we snuck in one extra ingredient that contributes a malty backbone to the slow-cooker stew.
How Do You Make the Best Chili Ever?
Everyone has a secret chili ingredient, and few people are willing to share theirs. We’ll tell you ours: it’s beer! How do you choose the best beer? Well, you can use any kind you like, but the style will affect the overall flavor. Darker beers like stouts and porters add roasty, robust flavors while lighter beers contribute more moderate levels of maltiness. Anything with a lot of hops (such as an IPAs or pale ales) will add a touch of bitterness to your chili, so it’s best to stick to the low-hop beers. Here’s more information about how to cook with beer.
Have some fun and play around with different styles. If you’re not a huge beer fan, we’d recommend starting with a lager like Shiner Bock or Negra Modelo.
Can You Put Raw Beef in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn’t necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors. But, if you don’t want to clean the extra dish or you don’t have time to make it happen, feel free to skip this step!
Psst! Our Test Kitchen’s go-to slow cooker allows you to brown meat and slow cook in one pot. Learn more.
How Long Does Chili Take in a Slow Cooker?
If you’re browning your beef ahead of time, your chili can be ready in 4 to 5 hours on low (or, 2 to 3 hours on high). Because all the ingredients are already cooked, you only need to simmer the chili until the flavors meld together. If the meat is raw, increase the cooking time to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chili
Taste of Home
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with onions, undrained
- 1 can (12 ounces) beer
- 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeno slices
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped green onions, optional for garnish
Yield: 12 servings
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the beef and sausage
Start by browning the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. It may dirty an extra pan, but it’s totally worth it because it increases the depth of flavor. Cook the beef for 6 to 8 minutes until it’s no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbles as you go. Drain the fat and transfer the beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Repeat the process with the sausage.
Step 2: Load up the slow cooker
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except the optional garnishes. Stir until everything is well combined and cook, covered, on low for 4 to 5 hours. Since all the ingredients are already cooked, you only need to heat everything through and allow the flavors time to meld together.
Step 3: Garnish and serve
Ladle the chili into individual bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions, if using. Alternatively, you can spoon the chili over hot dogs, spaghetti, nachos or French fries.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry if you have a ton of leftovers! After the chili cools down, freeze it in individual portions or press it flat in gallon-sized freezer bags for easy storage. It will stay good in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
For more chili-making secrets, check in with our Culinary Director, Sarah Farmer.
Get More Chili
Game-Stopper ChiliThis hearty chili with sausage, beef, beans and barley is perfect for the halftime food rush. People actually cheer when they see me coming with my slow cooker! —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Get your cozy fix with
these slow cooker soups, too!
White Bean Chicken ChiliMy sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Try these
healthy slow cooker recipes during the cold months, too.
Slow-Cooker ChiliThis hearty slow-cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It's so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
Is your slow cooker seeing a lot of action? Learn
how to clean a slow cooker to keep it working great.
Flavorful White ChiliFor a tasty twist on conventional chili, try this low-fat version. It's packed with plenty of beans, tender grilled chicken and a zippy blend of spices.
—Wilda Bensenhaver of Deland, Florida
Want your chili faster? Learn
how to convert slow cooker recipes into Instant Pot recipes.
Texican ChiliThis flavorful, meaty chili is my favorite, and it's so easy to prepare in the slow cooker. It's a terrific way to serve a crowd without last-minute preparation. I got the idea from my mother, who used her slow cooker often for soups and stews. —Stacy Law, Cornish, Utah
Hearty Slow-Cooker ChiliWhen it’s time to build my zesty chili, I combine everything the night before. In the morning, I load the slow cooker and let it do the work. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio
Healthy Turkey ChiliI've taken my mother's healthy turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It's a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Creamy Slow-Cooker White Chicken ChiliMy friend Caroline Gray and I came up with this creamy slow-cooker white chicken chili. It's unusual because it calls for Alfredo sauce. —Cindi Mitchell, St. Marys, Kansas
Spicy Cowboy ChiliToasting the peppers for this cowboy chili releases their earthy flavors. I recommend wearing gloves when handling dried peppers and seeds. —Rachel Sprinkel, Hilo, Hawaii
Spicy Touchdown ChiliFor me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma
Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork ChiliTender pork adds extra heartiness to this slow-cooked chili. You can use pork tenderloin, boneless pork roast or boneless pork chops for the pork called for in the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hearty Taco ChiliRanch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra special flavor to my hearty chili. Folks will come back for seconds. —Julie Neuhalfen, Glenwood, Iowa
Black & White Bean ChiliThis is a healthy and filling meal that even the kids love! The satisfying chili is great for football games or potluck dinners. —Katti Scott, Manteo, North Carolina
Black Bean, Chorizo & Sweet Potato ChiliChili is one of my all-time favorite dishes. This recipe takes chili to the next level by changing up the flavors and adding a surprise--sweet potatoes. —Julie Merriman, Cold Brook, New York
Chipotle Beef ChiliI love spicy food, so I think this chili really hits the spot. If you are sensitive to chile peppers, start out with one or two chipotles and go up from there. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Green Chile Chicken ChiliThe prep work for this chili is easy thanks to several pantry staples. It’s loaded with shredded chicken and beans. The spicy heat can be tamed a bit with cool sour cream. —Fred Lockwood, Plano, Texas
Slow-Cooked Chunky ChiliPork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. I keep serving-size containers of it in my freezer at all times so I can quickly warm up bowls on busy days. —Margie Shaw, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Carrie’s Cincinnati ChiliEvery time we have a gathering or company, folks request this. My husband convinced me to enter it in a local chili contest, and I won third place! This
Cincinnati chili recipe is quick and easy. If I don't have fresh garlic, I use minced garlic from a jar. —Carrie Birdsall, Dallas, Georgia
Marty's Bean Burger ChiliMy husband and I met while working the dinner shift at a homeless shelter that served my chili. I’ve revised the chili using bean veggie burgers. —Marty Nickerson, Ellington, Connecticut
Mexican White ChiliWhite chili may be a little different from what you're used to, but it's sure to warm you up on a chilly night. Cilantro and cumin give this chili an authentic Mexican flavor. —Shari Meissner, Chester, Montana
Pork ChiliMy husband usually tries to avoid spending time in the kitchen, but he'll frequently offer to prepare this easy chili. Of course, he always eagerly serves as taste tester! —Linda Temple, St. Joseph, Missouri
Sandy's Slow-Cooked ChiliI like to use my homemade stewed tomatoes and pizza sauce in this recipe. It's the perfect chili—not too spicy. It's a cinch to whip up. —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota
Mexican Chicken ChiliCorn and black beans give this satisfying chili a Mexican flair the whole family will love. Adjust the cayenne if you have small children or are looking for a little less zip. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, West Chester, Ohio
Santa Fe ChiliThis colorful and hearty chili is perfect for heartwarming, holiday get-togethers. My family has been enjoying it for years. —Laura Manning of Lilburn, Georgia
Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked ChiliThis chili may be already chock-full, but we love to build it up even more with toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin
Six-Bean ChiliWhen it's cold and frosty outside, this meatless chili is sure to warm you up. It's packed with fiber, protein and flavor. Serve it with sliced avocado, or add shredded cheese, corn tortilla chips or a side of your favorite cornbread. —Liz Bellville, Tonasket, Washington
Slow-Cooker Turkey ChiliI love this slow-cooker turkey chili recipe. Surprise ingredients like coffee and wine give it a rich, deep flavor that we balance by topping it off with avocado and green onion. Make a big batch and freeze any leftovers! —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Hearty Sausage-Chicken ChiliThe company I work for has an annual chili cook-off, and this unusual recipe of mine was a winner. I combined two chili recipes and then added a few extra touches of my own. —Carolyn Etzler, Thurmont, Maryland
Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin ChiliMy family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Lime Navy Bean ChiliA lip-smacking touch of lime flavors Connie Thomas’s low-fat but filling family favorite. “I love relying on my slow cooker,” confides the Jensen, Utah cook. “Just fill it in the morning and come home to a wonderful, warm meal—no matter how busy the day!”
