19 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes to Make Comfort Food Even Easier (2024)

When the frigid temps arrive and snow's on the horizon, there are few things more comforting than a hot bowl of chili. But there's no need to spend all day stirring at the stove. Instead, these easy and delicious slow cooker chili recipes will allow your trusty appliance to do the work. From classic beef chili recipes to chicken chili (and even vegetarian chili!) we have a slow cooker chili for everyone gathering around the table.

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All-American Chili

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For a classic, no-fuss slow cooker chili, give this easy recipe a try. Prep only takes 10 minutes (thanks, canned beans and tomatoes!), and your slow cooker will take care of the rest. If you want to soak up some of the extra broth, make corn bread to serve with your beefy bowl of chili.

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Fast or Slow Jalapeño Popper Chili

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The flavors of the fried appetizer you know and love is just as good in chili form. This easy slow cooker chili lets you choose between ground turkey or beef before adding spicy jalapeños and irresistible bacon. The cream cheese and shredded cheddar really take it to the next level. If you don't have time to wait all day, follow the instructions to make this delicious chili in your pressure cooker.

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Caribbean Chili with Black Beans

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Here's a fresh take on chili you're going to love. Tender pork loin roast spiced with warm chipotle chile (optional, but recommended) and cumin create a top-notch slow cooker chili recipe. A delicious mango garnish adds a tropical touch to this mouthwatering chili.

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Game Day Chili

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This delicious slow cooker chili recipe is perfect for your next at-home tailgate party. And if you happen to be a Texas chili fan, you'll appreciate this hearty mix is bean-free. It's still full of rich flavor thanks to dried plums and a pinch of bittersweet chocolate. Those might sound like strange ingredients for a chili recipe, but you can trust us that the result is a rich and mouthwatering chili you'll make every year.

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Fast or Slow White Chicken Chili

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The fast or slow in the title means you can make this chili recipe in the Instant Pot or slow cooker to fit your schedule. What makes this white chili recipe stand out from others is the addition of fresh poblano chili peppers, which adds just the right amount of mild heat.

17 Instant Pot Soups, Stews, and Chilis for a Quick Comforting Meal in a Bowl

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Beef and Black Bean Chili

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Want to know the secret to this slow cooker chili? Unsweetened cocoa powder! The cocoa adds richness, while hot chili powder gives this dish a spicy kick. And before popping this chili in your slow cooker, quickly sauté the ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and garlic to enhance their flavors.

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Kickin' Chicken Chili

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The warm kick in this slow cooker chili comes from cumin and green salsa. Plus, it's different from other chili recipes because it uses chicken breast instead of ground meat. If you have leftovers, you can store this slow cooker meal in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze it for a future busy night.

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Pork and Poblano Green Chili

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For a make-ahead meal idea, consider this irresistible slow cooker chili recipe. A blend of poblano pepper, bell pepper, and garlic adds tons of flavor to ground pork before resting in your fridge overnight with the beans and spices. When game day arrives, all you have to do is plug-in your slow cooker.

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Family-Style Chili and Corn Bread Dumplings

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This chili is delicious is on its own, but the cheesy corn bread dumplings make it unbeatable. You can even make the dumplings in your slow cooker! Just add in the dough at the very end, and cook the chili with the dumplings on top for the last 20 to 25 minutes.

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Beef and Red Bean Chili

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Perfect for the holidays or just a cold day, this hearty chili will warm you up in a hurry. Switch up this classic chili recipe and try using chuck roast instead of ground beef. Each bite of this slow cooker chili will also have a bit of smoky kick, thanks to chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

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Chili Verde

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We don't call this recipe "green chili" for nothing! Tomatillos and fresh spinach leaves help give this slow cooker chili its signature hue. Tender pork roast and navy beans make this slow cooker chili super satisfying on even the coldest days.

Healthy Soups, Stews, and Chilis to Warm You from the Inside Out

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Pork Rib Chili with Corn Bread

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Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients. This slow cooker chili recipe is well worth your time. Allow your chili to simmer all day, then add the corn bread batter directly on top of your chili to create the perfect side dish pairing.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you're in a hurry, go ahead and skip roasting the peppers and garlic. Simply add them (chopped) along with the rest of the ingredients.

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In-Your-Sleep Chili

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This chili is so easy, you could (almost) make it in your sleep. After cooking the ground beef and onion in a skillet, just combine the rest of the ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. This slow cooker chili only needs five ingredients (you likely have some of them on hand already!), so it won't take you much time at all to pull together your comforting meal.

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New World Chili

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This slow cooker chili recipe will remind you of a Thanksgiving feast. Full of turkey, butternut squash, corn, and cranberries, you'll crave this chili recipe year-round. And since it only takes 25 minutes of prep, this slow cooker chili is much easier to make on a cold winter night than an entire holiday dinner.

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Spicy Vegetable Chili

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For a vegetarian meal that brings the heat, this is the slow cooker chili recipe for you. It's got hot pepper sauce AND cayenne pepper to tantalize your taste buds. Note: the recipe has Worcestershire sauce (which is usually made with anchovies), so make sure your sauce vegan/vegetarian for the meat-free eaters.

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Mexican-Style Chili

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Full of the ground beef and red beans we love, this zesty chili has a south-of-the-border twist. Use Mexican-style stewed tomatoes and diced green chile peppers to give this chili its unique flavor (cumin and chili powder also play a part). And don't forget to add a dollop of sour cream on top.

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Chili Deluxe

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A few homemade toppings set this slow cooker chili recipe apart from the rest. Cool things down with a cilantro sour cream or bring the heat with a homemade cheesy nut crunch. If you want to add a little freshness, try our avocado-tomato salsa.

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Texas Chuck Roast Chili

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Stirring corn flour into the mix gives this chili slow cooker recipe a velvety texture. Round out the bowl with chuck roast, ancho chile peppers, garlic, and chipotle.

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Gluten Free Pork and Green Chile Stew

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The pork stew bridges the gap between soup and chili. Try adding a little hominy or corn to sweeten up each bite. It's ready right from the slow cooker but an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro doesn't hurt.

19 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes to Make Comfort Food Even Easier (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to brown meat before slow cooker chili? ›

Do you have to brown the meat for slow cooker chili? Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!

Is chili better in a slow cooker? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you're making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.

How do you make chili taste richer? ›

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.

How long can you leave chili in a crockpot on low? ›

How long should you cook chili? 8 hours on low heat yields the best results. Of course, if you're pressed for time, 5-6 hours on high heat works too, but the meat won't be as tender.

What happens if you don't brown meat before slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

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.

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.

Which is better a crockpot or slow cooker? ›

If you're planning to cook your meals mostly when you're not home or overnight, then sticking to a Crockpot might be a better choice, since the heat distribution is more even and there is no need to stir at all.

Can I leave chili in crockpot on low 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 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.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Can you leave a crockpot on low all night? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Can I leave my crockpot on low all day? ›

So I did a little digging to get the hard facts. The truth is, yes, leaving the slow cooker on and going about your day is safe, as long as you are using the appliance properly. Here are some helpful safety tips.

Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? ›

Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? If your crockpot chili tastes bland, it just needs salt or heat to enhance all of the flavors – it has plenty of seasonings already! Add salt ¼ teaspoon at time, tasting after each addition. Add heat with chipotle chili pepper, cayenne or hot sauce to taste.

What happens if you don't brown meat for chili? ›

A Case For Not Browning

You will also overcook your meat, which leads to tougher, pebblier end results. If you don't brown your meat, you'll end up with a rich, silky, tender texture. On the other hand, your flavor won't be as deep. And that's just the sad fact that we have to live with.

Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›

Kornblum tells SELF that while, yes, you technically can slow-cook with raw meat, you won't get your best results this way. You'll have better luck in the flavor department if you sear it first— browning adds a nice, caramelized depth to the dish.

What happens if you don't brown meat before cooking? ›

“If you leave any parts not browned, you are leaving flavor behind." Wondering about seasoning? Stockton suggests seasoning your meat one day (or at least 10 hours) ahead of time, then letting it sit uncovered on a rack in the refrigerator.

Can you cook chili with raw meat? ›

Cook the chili for at least 1 to 1.5 hours after adding the uncooked meat. This allows ample time for the meat to cook through and the flavors to meld. Stir the chili frequently, breaking up the meat to ensure it cooks evenly and integrates well with the other ingredients.

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