The Easiest Crock Pot Chili

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 07/19/21
The Easiest Crock Pot Chili

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
705 Calories
11g Fat
99g Carbs
55g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 705
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 179mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 99g 36%
Dietary Fiber 31g 109%
Protein 55g
Calcium 280mg 22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This is an easy slow-cooker chili recipe made with lean ground beef, tomatoes, and pinto beans.

By using a purchased chili mix and canned diced tomatoes, canned tomato sauce and canned pinto beans, this delicious ground-beef dinner couldn't be more simple to create. It requires 8 to 10 hours of cooking in a slow cooker set on low. Just set it and forget it. 

Serve the chili in warm bowls with a side of warm cornbread and butter.

For a low-calorie version, try this Low Calorie Crock Pot Chili recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, 85% to 90% lean
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with onion and garlic
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 envelope McCormick chili seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder or to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    The Easiest Crock Pot Chili ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Brown the ground beef with the onion and drain.

    beef and onions in a pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Transfer the ground beef and onion mixture along with the remaining ingredients to slow cooker; stir to blend.

    The Easiest Crock Pot Chili ingredients in a crock pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Cover the pot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

    The Easiest Crock Pot Chili cooking in a crockpot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Serve in heated bowls with hot cornbread and butter on the side.

    The Easiest Crock Pot Chili in a bowl, served with a side of bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Note: For thicker chili, add a few tablespoons of cornmeal about 30 minutes before it's ready.

Kitchen Notes

Top your chili off with freshly baked cornbread croutons. Toss about 2 cups of cubed cornbread with 1/4 cup of melted butter and a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Spread the cubes out on a large baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 450 F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are browned.