Crockpot Ground Beef Chili
Hearty and flavorful ground beef chili with beans, tomatoes, and spices, perfect for comforting gatherings or weeknight dinners with a bold, savory taste.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 2 16 oz. cans kidney beans ⓘ
- 1 29 oz. can tomato puree ⓘ
- 1 16 oz. jar salsa ⓘ
- 1 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 10 1/2 oz. can condensed beef broth ⓘ
- 1-2 cups water ⓘ
- 6 tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 tbsp. dried basil ⓘ
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. steak sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. coarsely ground pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, cook ground beef, chopped onion, and chopped green pepper until the meat is no longer pink.
- Transfer the cooked meat and vegetables into a Pam-sprayed 6-quart crockpot.
- Combine tomato puree, salsa, diced tomatoes, condensed beef broth, and water in a bowl.
- Add chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, ground cumin, steak sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the liquid mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour the seasoned liquid into the crockpot with the meat mixture and stir well.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
- Add rinsed and drained kidney beans during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the beef with some minced garlic or adding a dash of smoked paprika. If you prefer a spicier chili, incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can substitute turkey for ground beef for a lighter option, or use canned black beans instead of kidney beans for variety.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty chili with cornbread or over rice for a comforting meal. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or sliced green onions for added flavor. It pairs beautifully with American recipes like Hodgepodge Soup or can be enjoyed as a standalone dish for game day gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in a covered bowl until heated through. You can also freeze the chili for up to 3 months; just ensure it's cooled completely before sealing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Crockpot Ground Beef Chili contains roughly 745 calories, with 47g protein, 130g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (180% of the Daily Value), iron (143% of the Daily Value), and protein (93% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 838mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of meat in this chili?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even diced beef for a different texture and flavor. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding it to the crockpot.
Is it possible to make this chili vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can replace the ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or a meat substitute. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and make sure the beans are your main protein source for a delicious vegetarian chili.
How can I adjust the spice level of the chili?
To make the chili milder, reduce the amount of chili powder or omit any additional spicy ingredients like jalapeños. For extra heat, add more chili powder, hot sauce, or diced green chilies according to your preference.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).