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

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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!

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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

Can you overcook chili 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.

How long can chili stay in a crock pot? ›

The keep warm setting on a crockpot is not hot enough to prevent foodborne illnesses, and after 7 days your chili is probably not safe to eat.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Sure, there are plenty of other amazing chili recipes that are cooked on the stovetop, like beef and bean chili or white chicken chili. However, many of the ingredients in traditional chili (like onions and garlic) and dried spices (like chili powder and cumin) develop excellent flavor thanks to low-and-slow cooking.

Do you brown meat before crock pot chili? ›

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!

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.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Can I leave my crockpot on high for 5 hours? ›

While many modern crock pots are designed with safety features, it's generally not recommended to leave a crock pot on the high setting overnight. Extended cooking times on high can lead to overcooking, drying out the food, and potentially causing damage to the appliance.

Is it OK to let chili simmer all day? ›

Cook over low heat for at least four hours or up to 8 hours. In final hour of cooking remove cover and increase heat slightly to reduce liquid. Once chili reaches desired consistency replace cover and reduce heat back to low. Serve with side bowls of sour cream and shredded cheese (cheddar, or a good mix) and crackers.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

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.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

Should I put garlic in my chili? ›

Garlic – I'm using lots of garlic for this chili recipe, fresh is best but if canned is all you have just keep in mind that 1 1/2 teaspoons equals one fresh clove. Beef – Ground beef, lean or regular will work just fine. Spices – Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and cayenne are our flavor weapons today.

Do you brown meat or onions first in chili? ›

Raw meat and pot of chili are two things that just don't belong together. If the recipe includes any type of ground meat, bacon, chorizo, or cubes of beef, it should always be browned first. Try this: The first order of business before adding anything else to the pot is to brown any meat in your recipe.

Can I put raw beef straight into a slow cooker? ›

Yes! that is one of the best way to cook meats! Put in some raw beef brisket, leave it in for the 6+ hours, and once it is ready…it is so tender! Slow cookers are so great as you can just throw everything in and no need to worry about it.

Does chili get hotter the longer you cook it? ›

No. It will not get milder with simmering. The nature of any spice is to seep into the dish directly proportional with the time. The more you cook it the more the intensity infused into the dish.

Does chili get thicker the longer it cooks? ›

Thin chili may just need time to cook down. Cook it uncovered low and slow, at least one hour, for it to thicken on its own. Cooking it uncovered allows for evaporation to reduce and concentrate the chili.

What happens if you overcook crock pot? ›

Of course you can slow pork too long. You can overcook anything, even with moist heat. Once the meat has cooked completely, become tender and the collagen transforms into gelatin, further cooking will only pull moisture from the meat. It will just become dryer and dryer, even if it is partially submerged in liquid.

Is it possible to overcook something in a crock pot? ›

Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.

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