Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
This classic Slow Cooker Chilli recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and packed with flavour. Simply brown ground beef with onions, then combine with canned beans, tinned tomatoes, and warm spices before letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. The result is a deeply satisfying, comforting dish that's perfect for family dinners or batch cooking. With pantry staples and a handful of secret ingredient suggestions, you can elevate this humble chilli to something truly special
Watch: Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Original recipe video — click to play
Original method: 45 minutes at stovetop
Ingredients
Main
- 500 g Ground beef, lean or medium
Brown in a frying pan before adding to slow cooker
- 2 medium, diced Onions, finely diced
Brown with the beef
- 2 400g cans, drained and rinsed Tinned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 800 g Tinned chopped tomatoes
Spices
- 2 tbsp Chilli powder
Adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Optional extras (secret ingredients)
- ½ tbsp Cocoa powder or dark chocolate(optional)
Adds depth and richness
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce(optional)
Adds umami flavour
Garnish
- handful, chopped Fresh coriander or parsley, finely chopped(optional)
Add in final 15 minutes
- to serve Soured cream or Greek yoghurt(optional)
Serve on top
- to serve Grated cheese, Cheddar or similar(optional)
Serve on top
Method
- 1
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened, approximately 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
~10 minsTip: Browning the meat develops deep, savoury flavours that will enhance your chilli.
- 2
Transfer the browned beef and onions to your slow cooker.
~2 mins - 3
Add the drained kidney beans, tinned chopped tomatoes, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
~5 mins - 4Optional step
If using any secret ingredients (cocoa powder, Worcestershire sauce, or others), add them now and stir to combine.
~2 minsTip: Secret ingredients enhance depth and complexity of flavour.
- 5
Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8 hours, or on High for 5 hours. The chilli should be bubbly at the edges and rich in colour.
Tip: Low setting is ideal for developing flavour, but High works if you're short on time.
- 6
In the final 15–20 minutes of cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chilli powder as desired.
~5 mins - 7Optional step
If using fresh coriander or parsley, stir in during the final 15 minutes to preserve flavour.
~2 mins - 8
Ladle the chilli into bowls and serve with toppings of your choice: soured cream or Greek yoghurt, grated cheese, and fresh herbs.
~5 mins
Nutrition
Detailed nutritional information is coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whilst you technically can, browning the beef and onions beforehand creates much deeper, more complex flavours. It takes only 10 minutes and makes a noticeable difference to the final dish. We recommend taking this extra step for best results
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