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Why I Love to Make This Slow Cooker Chili
Sending a chili recipe out into the world may be one of the most controversial things to do. We each hold dear to what chili is to us, which is oftentimes heavily influenced by what we had while growing up. Nothing beats Mom’s chili, right? Also, no two moms seem to have the same chili recipe.
Growing up in the Midwest, our chili is by no means an authentic recipe. It was often on the sweeter side, always included ground beef, and, if made in my mom’s house, it was prepared in the slow cooker all day long. Mom’s chili had no odd ingredients. Instead, she used what we always had on hand in the pantry.
And here’s the greatest thing about this chili: for me, nothing is more nostalgic or more delicious on a cool day.
Why use a slow cooker for this chili?
This chili tastes the same whether you use a slow cooker or a stockpot on the stove. When it first was invented, the slow cooker was an incredible time saver because you can simply place all the ingredients in the cooker, turn it on, and at the end of the day have a soup that’s ready to eat. There’s no watching a stovetop or adjusting the heat. For anyone making soup, that’s an incredible decrease in the amount of work. So go ahead and let the slow cooker do all the work!
Slow cookers have two settings: low and high. Both settings warm up to the same temperature, but low gets to the desired temperature slowly while the high setting gets there quickly. Pretty logical, right? For this recipe, either setting will work as follows:
- High setting: will be ready in approximately six hours
- Low setting: will be ready in approximately eight hours
Why does cooking chili all day make sense?
There are not too many soups that can cook for so many hours and still retain their great texture without seeming… blah. This chili uses raw vegetables and a few spices. During the long cooking process, the spices, vegetables, and tomato pureé have time to truly mix and become full-flavored. To ensure the flavors stand out after a long cook time, strong amounts are needed. The flavors meld together to create a well-rounded chili that can only be created with a long cooking time.
Follow These Tips
Serving
Serve warm, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Serve with cornbread or crackers for a cozy, complete meal.
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months.
More Soup Recipes
- Creamy chicken and wild rice soup
- Chili con carne
- Tomato and roasted red pepper soup
- Slow cooker cauliflower curry soup
- Roasted tomato soup
- Vegetarian chili
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef cooked
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 ½ cups chopped peppers (sweet or spicy)
- 1 15-oz can kidney beans
- 1 15-oz can pinto beans (half whole and half mashed)
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 3 bay leaves
- 6 cups tomato pureé
Instructions
- In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine the cooked ground beef, onion, peppers, kidney beans, pinto beans (both the whole and mashed portions), molasses, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, bay leaves, and tomato pureé. Stir to combine and turn the slow cooker on high for 6-8 hours.1 lb ground beef, 1 cup chopped onion, 1 ½ cups chopped peppers (sweet or spicy), 1 15-oz can kidney beans, 1 15-oz can pinto beans (half whole and half mashed), 2 tbsp molasses, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, 3 bay leaves, 6 cups tomato pureé
- Once the chili is cooked and slightly thickened, remove the bay leaves, and flavor with any additional salt as needed. Serve immediately or keep warm until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
The food looks delicious and l love Chili. I am going to make it within the next week. Sounds since it is getting colder her in Virginia. I believe l did sign up early for your Holiday Book. I am excited to see the recipes as l enjoyed lthe book last year as well.
Hope you and your family gave a wonderful Holiday Season
I did want to say that l was born and raised in IOWA in Waterloo. So l know all about the weather myself.
HAPPY HOliDAYS
I used this recipe to make smoked chili. I used ground pork instead of beef. I placed the seasoned meat in a large patty on a rack over the pan with the chili and smoked for 3 1/2 hours. Added the smoked meat to the chili and broke apart. So tasty. I did add garlic powder to the recipe. I will try it in the crockpot if I don’t want to smoke the chili in the winter. Love your recipes.
I love to watch you cooking and gardening. I get so many great ideas from you. And of course I love to see your Mom. Thank you for all that you do. God bless you!
I enjoy your videos and newsletter so much. Can’t wait to get the holiday magazine. Last year’s edition was wonderful.
I have followed your recipe– it’s all in the slow cooker right now!
Happy autumn, enjoy the days of wine and roses!
Jim Saindon
Thank you Kaleb for a fabulous chili recipe. I am so happy I found you as now I am trying so many of your recipes ! I love watching your videos! My husband is a chef and he compliments me on your recipes!
Thank you . May I ask the name or brand of your slow cooker? Thank you again!
Haven’t made it yet, but could almost taste it…lol it looks delicious…..can’t wait to make it…..shared with a friend and will give to my Daughter also, she is always looking for a great chili…..
Oh my goodness this chili was the best I’ve ever had.
I’ve been looking for easy recipes this one is on the top of my list!!!
Thanks,
Lisa Garcia
Aurora Colorado
What kind of crockpot is that please? Mine is 35 years old and works like a charm but no timer.