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)
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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.

4.53 from 90 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 cocktail developer and not-so-secret BBQ aficionado.

Big Batch Crock Pot Chili (Slow Cooker Recipe) - Pass The Sushi (2024)

FAQs

How to make crock pot chili thicker? ›

How to Thicken Chili
  1. Simmer down. ...
  2. Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina. ...
  3. Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats. ...
  4. Pile on the vegetables. ...
  5. Try more tomato paste. ...
  6. Mash some beans. ...
  7. Crumble up some corn chips.
Oct 28, 2023

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

Why is my slow cooker chilli watery? ›

The could many reason why your chili is to thin or watery. The main thing we have found is if we add to much water or broth. If you do add to much liquid, add more solid ingredients such as beans or meats to thicken it up while it cooks.

How to make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

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.

Can you cook chili too long in crock pot? ›

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. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

How do you make chili thicker and darker? ›

Add More Vegetables

You can never go wrong with additional vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, or mushrooms. In addition to making your chili recipe chunkier and heartier, the vegetables will release starches as they cook, helping thicken the liquid.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

Does tomato paste thicken chili? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? ›

Insufficient seasoning, such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt, can lead to bland chili. Chili relies on a combination of spices and seasonings for its distinctive flavor. Be sure to taste your chili during the cooking process and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Does tomato paste thicken sauce? ›

One of the best ways to make use of tomato paste is to treat it as a natural thickening agent for tomato-based sauces, says Arturo. In addition to helping to alter the consistency of your sauce, this pantry staple will also help to further enhance the rich, savory flavors of tomato sauce.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

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.

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.

How to thicken chili if it's too watery? ›

If your chili is too watery, there are a few steps you can take to thicken it: Simmer Longer: Continue cooking the chili uncovered over low heat to allow excess liquid to evaporate. Add Thickeners: Mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and add it to the chili. Cook while stirring until it thickens.

How do you thicken something in a crock pot? ›

Add a slurry at the end.

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

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.

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