Slow Cooker Chili

Julia Pacheco

1 year ago

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chili on a cold day. Something about the warming spices and the heartiness of the dish just feels right! This Slow Cooker Chili is full of flavor and will warm you up from the inside out. Throw it in the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy the delicious smells all day until it’s time for dinner.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chili

ground turkey OR ground beef
white onion
minced garlic
canned kidney beans
canned pinto beans
beef broth
tomato paste
canned Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes
chili powder
cumin
paprika
brown sugar
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper

How to Make Slow Cooker Chili

Let’s make Slow Cooker Chili together! This is an easy recipe that only requires a few minutes of prep work. You’re going to love it!

First, add the turkey (or beef), onion, and garlic to a large skillet over medium heat. Break the turkey up (using my favorite kitchen tool) and cook it through.

To a large slow cooker, add the ground turkey and onions. Add in the rest of the ingredients, stir well, cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours OR HIGH for 5 hours. Once the time is up, ladle into bowls, top with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, and enjoy!

Make A Freezer Meal

I love to prep this dish and make it a freezer meal. Freezer meals are a lifesaver for busy days where I just can’t think about dinner. I love making this chili because you can throw it in the slow cooker from frozen. So that means you don’t even need to plan in advance and take the time to thaw it. If you cook it from frozen, add about half an hour to the cooking time and you’re good to go!

Use gallon-sized freezer bags. Normal bags tend to rip once frozen.
Use bag holders to make it easier to fill the bags.

If you don’t have bag holders, you can place the bag into a large drink pitcher to help hold the bag up.
Write on the label what the recipe is, the date you prepared it, how long to cook it for, if you have to add any ingredients, and what to serve with the meal. This will keep you from pulling out a bag of mystery meat and having no idea what to do with it!
Run the bag under hot water for a few seconds to loosen up the food so it is easy to pour out of the bag.
Make sure you take the food out of the plastic bag before cooking! Didn’t think I needed to say that but I get asked all the time, haha.
Freezer meals last for about 3 months in the freezer, so make sure you’re checking your dates.

Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

I have so many amazing slow cooker recipes on my blog, but here are a few of my very favorites!

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker