Crockpot Beef Chili
Crockpot Beef Chili. This slow cooker beef chili is the ultimate comforting meal, made even better with a surprising secret ingredient! This crockpot beef chili will be surefire hit and you'll be hooked on how the sweetness and spices come together to create the best crockpot chili.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef (lean)
- 1 large Onion (diced)
- 1 Jalapeno (finely diced)
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- (1) 14-ounce can Tomato Sauce (no seasonings)
- (1) 14.5 ounce can Petite Diced Tomatoes
- 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- (1) 12-ounce can Dr. Pepper or Coke (not diet)
- (2) cans Chili Beans (I like to use seasoned chili beans)
Topping Ideas:
- Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Avocado, Jalapeno, Tortilla Strips
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray or add 1 Tablespoon of oil. Add onion, jalapeno, and ground beef. Break up the ground beef with a spatula into small pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain off any grease, if needed.
- Add the ground beef mixture to a crockpot. Add garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, chili beans, and a can of Dr. Pepper or Coke (no diet). Place a lid over the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours
- Stir and taste for seasonings and add more salt, pepper, or chili powder, as desired. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion, cilantro, avocado, tortilla strips, and any of your favorite toppings.
Notes
Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. The slow cooker method will work the same, but the flavor will slightly differ based on the protein you use.
Can I use diet soda instead?
It's best to use regular soda because diet versions don’t caramelize in the same way, and they may leave an artificial aftertaste in the chili.
How can I make this chili spicier?
You can add more jalapeños or cayenne pepper for extra heat. I would suggest using 2 jalapeno peppers instead of 1. If you want even more spice, try adding a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for a smoky, spicy kick.