This slow cooker chili recipe is packed with flavor, low on effort

Looking for a flavor-packed, one-pot meal that practically cooks itself? This slow cooker chili is the perfect go-to for cozy family dinners or feeding a hungry crowd at a gathering, delivering bold, hearty flavor with minimal effort.

Made with savory ground beef, toasted spices that deepen every bite and a secret ingredient that adds an unexpected twist, it’s as comforting as it is crowd-pleasing. Best of all, it’s nearly foolproof − just set it, let it simmer and enjoy while your slow cooker does all the work.

Watch the video above to learn how to make the best slow cooker chili.

Slow cooker chili ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef.
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes.
• 1 cup diced onions.
• 1 cup diced celery.
• 1 cup diced bell peppers.
• 3 cloves of minced garlic.
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed.
• 1/2 cup beer (optional).
• 1 bay leaf.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Toppings: shredded cheese, cracker crumbles, Fritos, corn tortilla chips, sour cream or any other favorites.

Shop top-rated related products:  

• At-home lattes: Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Wand With Batteries 
• Hands-free gadget: Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can Opener 
• Top-rated accessory: TrendPlain Olive Oil Dispenser Bottle 
• Best-selling veggie chopper: Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8-Blade Vegetable Chopper   
• Customer-favorite cooking hack: Clip-On Pasta Strainer Silicone for All Pots and Pans 
• User-friendly tool: Otstar Jar Opener Bottle Opener 
• Meal prep must-have: JAYVAR Onion Holder for Slicing 
• Never waste a drop: OTOTO Splatypus Jar Spatula for Scooping and Scraping 

How to make the best slow cooker chili

To make slow cooker chili:

1. Toast a blend of your favorite chili spices in a skillet over low heat for enhanced flavor. Common chili spices include chili powder, cumin and paprika. Adjust the spice levels to your preference.
2. Add the ground beef to your slow cooker.
3. Pour the crushed tomatoes over the ground beef. Combining the sauce with the uncooked meat gives your chili a finer texture.
4. Add the diced onions, celery, bell peppers and minced garlic. These veggies add great flavor and texture to the chili.
5. Add the toasted spices to the slow cooker, distributing them evenly.
6. If you like, add a splash of beer to round out the flavors.
7. Season with salt, pepper and a bay leaf.
8. Set your slow cooker to the low heat setting and let the chili simmer for about 4-6 hours or until the meat is cooked and the flavors have melded together.
9. Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans and pinto beans. Let the chili cook for an additional 30 minutes.
10. Serve your chili with a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, cracker crumbles, Fritos, corn tortilla chips, sour cream or any other favorites.