Farmhouse Slow Cooker Chili

Ground beef, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomato paste, tomato sauce and chili seasonings are poured into a slow cooker and left to simmer for an easy family dinner of this Farmhouse Slow Cooker Chili.

This post is sponsored by the Glass Barn and brought to you by Indiana Corn & Soybean Farmers, but all thoughts and opinions are my own

Dump and Go Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

We love making this chili recipe in the slow cooker because we can dump all of the ingredients in, stir and walk away. The longer we’re gone the more time the flavors have to blend. Whenever we return an easy dinner is ready to go!

My mom has always made her famous Chili on the stovetop, but we find that using the crock pot just makes this meal easier. And it’s more convenient if we get called away to work on chores at the barn.

As I’ve shared about life on the farm before, the schedule is totally unpredictable, so we love having forgiving meals! Just like our Oven Baked Pork Chops and Instant Pot Sauerkraut and Sausage this is a recipe that warms your belly and soul on a cold day.

If desired this chili can be made on the stove in a 4 quart kettle or saucepan. Cook the chili gently on low heat, stirring often for 2 hours or until the flavors have blended and the meat is very tender.

Unserved chili can be frozen in small portions to thaw and gently reheat within 4 months.

Makes a Great Baked Potato Topping

This crock pot chili is the perfect addition to a baked potato bar during cool weather or in the winter. Cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped green onions taste just as good served on chili as pulled pork. So chili could be the start of the show or another addition to a loaded potato bar to give guests even more options.

I love cooking all kinds of recipes to share with family and friends. One of my favorite dishes to make for a party is our Crock Pot Pulled Pork and serve it on a Loaded Baked Potato Bar.

How Long to Slow Cook Chili

Cook chili in the slow cooker on high for one hour or on low for 4 to 6 hours. Chili could even slow cook for up to 10 hours.

Stirring occasionally is preferred, but not required. When I’m gone for the day and still want to slow cook all day I like to use a liner to help prevent sticking.

Farmhouse Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

1. Brown and drain lean ground beef. Keep meat in skillet and sprinkle Onion soup mix on beef, then stir in water.
2. Pour mixture into a greased or lined crock pot. Add undrained beans and stir.
3. Add remaining ingredient, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper; stir well.
4. Cook on high for a minimum of 1 hour, cooking for 2 – 3 hours on high or 4 to 6 hours on low allows the flavors to better meld together.

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chili

• Choose 2 – 15 ounce cans of kidney beans, chili beans or pinto beans, the exact combination doesn’t matter
• Cut water in half to make a more solid chili that is easier to serve over baked potatoes
• I always cook the ground meat before adding to the chili so that I can ensure it is totally browned – adding raw meat to the crockpot of chili is not a good idea because you do not know how quickly and evenly it will cook and food safety issues could be a result

How to Make Crock Pot Chili

Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain.

I always brown ground beef before adding it to the crock pot because I want to see that the beef has been evenly and safely browned. Food safety is important for our family and fully cooking the beef first is safest.

If beef is added straight to the mixture in the crock pot the beef may sit at an unsafe temperature for too long before it gets cooked.

Then sprinkle the packet of onion soup mix and water evenly over the skillet. Over medium high heat stir until the mixture is combined.

Pour this mixture into a greased or lined crock pot.

Next pour in two cans of beans. You can choose any combination of kidney beans, chili beans or pinto beans. I usually grab whatever I have in the cupboard, or whichever beans are easiest to find.

Then pour in tomato sauce and tomato paste. I might have been known to use some of our Instant Pot Tomato Sauce from time to time in this recipe. Also add spices and stir everything well.

Cook on low for 1 – 2 hours. Chili will be ready after an hour, but we prefer allowing the meat and beans more time to absorb all of the seasonings. Or cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

Extra chili reheats well and makes great leftovers. Stores well in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 – 4 months. Reheat gently for best results.

Other Easy and Delicious Crock Pot Recipes:

• Farmhouse style Crock Pot Mac & Cheese makes a great side dish or main dish. The leftover reheat really well.
• Crock Pot Sloppy Joes is another family favorite recipe
• Crock Pot Spaghetti makes such a simple dinner that we all enjoy
• Crock Pot Cauliflower Casserole is a great party food or fun way to slide more veggies into the family menu
• My new favorite candy – Crock Pot Peanut Clusters
• Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes make holidays so much easier