Easy Slow-Cooker Chili for Ultimate Comfort

There’s a special kind of joy that comes from walking into a home filled with the deep, welcoming scent of a slowly simmered meal. For those cool, damp days when nothing but a bowl of pure comfort will do, we find that chili is the ultimate answer. That is precisely why we’ve poured our hearts into creating this recipe for Easy Slow-Cooker Chili for Ultimate Comfort. It’s the definition of a low-effort, high-reward meal, allowing your slow cooker to do the heavy lifting. It works its magic, tenderising the beef and melding the spices into a rich, flavourful stew that tastes as though it’s been simmering on the hob all day.

We designed this recipe to be your trusted companion for hectic weeknights, relaxed weekends, and any time you need a dependable, delicious meal. It’s wonderfully warming, incredibly satisfying, and so easy to adapt. We’ll guide you through each straightforward step, from searing the mince to lock in flavour to selecting the ideal garnishes to finish it off perfectly. Prepare yourself to craft the most delicious chili you’ve ever tasted, all from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Wonderfully Simple: Following a brief 10-minute preparation, your slow cooker takes charge. It’s the ideal dish for a busy schedule, letting you return home to a hot and hearty dinner that’s ready to serve.
• Deep, Rich Flavour: The slow cooking process gives the spices, beef, and tomatoes ample time to mingle and mature, developing a flavour profile that is robust, smoky, and wonderfully complex. It’s a true celebration of low-and-slow cooking.
• Ideal for Cooking in Advance: We think this chili is even more delicious on the second day! It keeps exceptionally well in the fridge for a few days and is brilliant for freezing, making it a fantastic option for batch cooking and having future meals on hand.
• A Guaranteed Family Favourite: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner for the family or a casual get-together with friends, this recipe is always a hit. It’s a universally adored hearty comfort food that never fails to please.
• Easily Adaptable: You have full creative freedom here. Feel free to tweak the spice level, change up the beans, or toss in some extra vegetables to cater to your family’s preferences. We’ve included some of our favourite variations for you below.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 kg lean beef mince (around 10-15% fat)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp chili powder (use mild or hot to your preference)
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 (400g) tins chopped tomatoes
• 1 (400g) tin kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (400g) tin black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 400ml beef stock

How to Make Our Easy Slow-Cooker Chili

By following these steps, you are guaranteed to achieve a rich, tender, and deeply flavourful chili every time. Although you could add all the ingredients to the slow cooker raw, we truly believe that the initial step is non-negotiable for developing the best possible flavour.

1. Step 1: Build the Flavour Base

   In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and cook, using a wooden spoon to break it apart, until it has browned nicely on all sides. This searing step is the secret to creating a rich, meaty foundation. After browning, drain away any rendered fat and transfer the mince into your slow cooker. You simply cannot achieve a truly fantastic and simple beef chili without this crucial first step!

2. Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

   In the same frying pan, add your chopped onions and bell peppers. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have softened. Now, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until its wonderful aroma is released, making sure it doesn’t catch and burn. This process brings out the vegetables’ natural sweetness, which adds another layer of flavour to your finished chili.

3. Step 3: Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker

   Move the softened vegetables into the slow cooker along with the browned mince. It’s now time for all the other ingredients to join the party. Add the chopped tomatoes, the rinsed kidney and black beans, the tomato purée, and all of your wonderful spices: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. To finish, pour in the beef stock and give it all a good stir to combine everything perfectly.

4. Step 4: Set It and Forget It

   Place the lid firmly on your slow cooker. You can cook on the LOW setting for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours. If time allows, we wholeheartedly recommend the LOW setting. It gives the flavours more time to meld together and results in exceptionally tender beef. Your home will be filled with the most incredible aroma!

5. Step 5: Final Touches and Serving

   When the cooking time is complete, give the chili one last stir. Have a taste and adjust the seasonings as you see fit—perhaps it needs a little more salt, a grind of black pepper, or an extra pinch of chili powder for more warmth. If the chili seems a bit too liquidy for your preference, you can leave the lid off for the last half-hour of cooking to let it reduce slightly. Serve piping hot with your chosen toppings.

Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Chili Recipe

Are you ready to elevate your chili from delicious to truly memorable? Here are some of our trusted professional tips to enhance this superb Crockpot chili recipe.

Don’t Skip the Browning Step

We know we’ve already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating. Taking the time to brown the beef and sauté the vegetables is the key to a chili with an amazing depth of flavour. This initial cooking stage triggers the Maillard reaction, which develops complex, savoury notes that just aren’t possible when placing raw ingredients straight into the pot.

Experiment with Beans

We are partial to the classic duo of kidney and black beans, but we encourage you to use whichever beans you prefer or have in your cupboard. Pinto beans, cannellini beans, or even chickpeas are all excellent additions. Using a variety of beans adds interesting textures and flavours while also increasing the fibre content. As noted by the British Heart Foundation, beans and pulses are fantastic sources of protein and fibre, making this chili an even more wholesome meal.

Control the Heat

Everyone has a different preference when it comes to spice. This recipe delivers a mild-to-medium level of warmth. If you’d like it spicier, simply add a finely chopped fresh jalapeño or a dash of cayenne pepper when you add the other spices. For a milder chili, stick to a mild chili powder and be sure to remove all the seeds from the bell peppers.

Thickening Your Chili

Because slow cookers trap steam, the final dish can sometimes be thinner than desired. If you prefer a thicker, richer consistency, you have a couple of easy choices. The simplest method is to take the lid off for the final 30–60 minutes of cooking, which allows excess liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the chili and cook on HIGH for a further 15 minutes until it has thickened up nicely.

What to Serve with Your Chili

A brilliant bowl of chili is made even better with the right accompaniments. This is your chance to get creative and let everyone customise their own serving. If you’re looking for more comforting meal ideas for the week, you may also love our Low Carb Chicken Casserole.

Our Favourite Toppings:

• Soured cream or plain Greek yoghurt
• Grated mature cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Freshly chopped coriander
• Sliced spring onions or finely diced red onion
• Pickled or fresh jalapeño slices
• Crushed tortilla chips for a bit of crunch
• A squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten the flavours

Perfect Side Dishes:

Although this chili is a satisfying meal by itself, a simple side can make the experience complete. We enjoy serving it with fluffy rice, warm crusty bread for mopping up the sauce, or a classic, crumbly cornbread. For another comforting dish that is perfect with bread, have a look at our much-loved Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe.

FAQ

Your New Go-To Comfort Meal

And there you have it—a straightforward, flavour-packed, and wonderfully satisfying recipe that truly lives up to its name. This Easy Slow-Cooker Chili is much more than just a recipe; it’s a fix for busy schedules, a warm embrace at the end of the day, and a dish that is sure to become a cherished family favourite. Its real charm is in its simplicity and the incredible, deep flavours that emerge with very little hands-on time from you.

We are confident you will fall in love with the convenience and amazing taste of this chili. So, get out your slow cooker, assemble your ingredients, and prepare to tuck into a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort. We’d love to hear how you got on in the comments below—and be sure to share your favourite toppings!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 6-8 hours
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 kg lean beef mince (around 10-15% fat)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp chili powder (use mild or hot to your preference)
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 (400g) tins chopped tomatoes
• 1 (400g) tin kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (400g) tin black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 400ml beef stock

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Brown the beef mince, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat and transfer the mince to your slow cooker.
2. In the same pan, sauté the chopped onions and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
3. Transfer the cooked vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the chopped tomatoes, rinsed beans, tomato purée, all spices, and beef stock. Stir everything together to combine.
4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
5. Before serving, stir the chili, taste, and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 440, Carbs: 22 g, Protein: 29 g, Fat: 21 g