20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (2024)

This list of amazing slow cooker chili recipes includes plenty of flavors that are sure to satisfy like beef chili, turkey chili and three bean chili.

These chili recipes are easy to make and perfect to warm you up on a cold day!

20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (1)

Whenever the days get colder, cozy up with a great movie or book, and a fantastic bowl of slow cooker chili. I love cooking chili in a crockpot. All the seasoning and spices build on each other to make something special. My favorite moment is when you open the lid and that rush of steam and chili goodness wafts out.

There are literally thousands of ways to simmer up classic and modern chilis. I’ve got a selection of slow cooker chili recipes that are tried and true. These savory recipes include everything from the traditional turkey chili to the more unique lentil taco chili. You can even make your own chili seasoning!

I have beef recipes that are perfect for a classic chili. Many of these recipes call for ground beef, but there are some that even use steak for a heartier meal.

When I want my chili on the lighter side, I love using chicken in my chili recipes. You’ve got to try buffalo chicken chili and cream cheese crack chicken chili. I also have a fantastic turkey chili that has all the flavor of traditional chili. It has to be tasted to be believed.

Sometimes you just don’t feel like meat or are looking for a plant based dinner option. Enjoy some delicious vegetarian chili recipes that feature lentils, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and other wholesome ingredients that are big on nutrition and flavor!

Nothing goes better with chili than cornbread. Try my honey cornbread or my mini cornbread puddings to enjoy with your chili! To round out a chili meal I also like to make some savory mustard greens with bacon or crispy sweet potato fries.

Whichever way you like your chili, it’s a tasty meal for those cool evenings and your house will smell amazing!

20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (2)

20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (3)

Vegan Lentil Chili Recipe

This BBQ lentil chili recipe is gluten-free, vegan and full of protein and fiber! Make it in your crockpot for a hearty, healthy meal.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (4)

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

Try this buffalo chicken chili that is made in the slow cooker and packed with so much flavor it’s unbelievable!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (5)

Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili

This butternut squash chickpea chili can be made in the slow cooker in just 4 hours and loaded with veggies and protein for a healthy meal!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (6)

Crock Pot Bean Chili

This crock pot bean chili is so flavorful, filling and easy to make! It has three kinds of beans, no meat and is gluten free!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (7)

Slow Cooker Chili With Sausage

This is a classic chili recipe with a twist adding ground and smoked sausage for more flavor! This easy slow cooker chili with sausage is full of onions, peppers, beans and tomatoes – such a hearty chili.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (8)

Crockpot Quinoa Chili

Simple (dump it all in and forget about it) crockpot quinoa chili. No veggie chopping or pre-cooking of anything required. Open cans and throw it all in!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (9)

Pumpkin Chili

This healthy and easy turkey pumpkin chili recipe can be prepared in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (10)

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This slow cooker turkey chili is a blend of ground turkey, beans and spices, all simmered together in a crockpot to make a hearty meal. The perfect easy dinner option that's great for feeding a crowd!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (11)

Slow Cooker Tailgate Chili

Slow cooker tailgate chili is the perfect chili for feeding a crowd or watching the game! Simple, full of flavor and easy to make and take!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (12)

Crockpot Chili with Bacon

Crockpot chili with bacon is a tasty spin on a classic chili recipe. Once you add crumbled bacon to your chili, you may never go back!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (13)

20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (14)

Slow Cooked Hatch Pepper Chili

This lush chili is perfect for the summer months when fresh hatch chiles from New Mexico are available!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (15)

Spicy Slow Cooker Chickpea Chili

This spicy slow cooker chickpea chili has sweet potatoes and smoky chipotle flavor. No sauteeing means easy prep!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (16)

Slow Cooker Chili

This slow cooker chili is a blend of beef, beans, tomatoes and spices, all simmered together in the crockpot for a rich and hearty dish. Crockpot chili is perfect for parties and any occasion where you need to feed a crowd!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (17)

Slow Cooker Coney Island Style Hot Dog Chili

You haven’t lived until you’ve savored a classic all beef frankfurter topped with this meaty Coney Island style hot dog chili. Get your hot dog chili fix without ever leaving home.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (18)

Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Chili

Weeknight dinners are a breeze with this delicious vegetarian slow cooker lentil taco chili simmering away in the crock-pot!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (19)

Slow Cooker Steak Chili

This hearty slow cooker steak chili is loaded with two kinds of beans, smoky spices, and ultra tender sirloin steak. It’s perfect for game day!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (20)

Crockpot Paleo Chili

This hearty, protein-packed, slow cooker paleo chili is about to become your new comfort food crush.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (21)

Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili

This slow cooker three bean chili is a hearty, make ahead vegetarian chili that’s delicious any time of year. Skip the garnishes for a tasty vegan dish!

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (22)

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili

This slow cooker cream cheese crack chicken chili features chicken, corn, black beans, Rotel, spices, bacon & cheddar for a creamy chili that you won't forget.

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20 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes (23)

Crock Pot Beefy Black Bean Chili

Let your slow cooker do the work in this hearty and flavorful chili prepared with ground beef, black beans, bell pepper, onions and seasonings.

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These recipes are great ways to warm you up on cold nights. Enjoy some fantastic slow cooker recipes that will comfort and delight friends and family.

Originally Posted December 15, 2022

Last Updated March 28, 2023

CategoriesDinner Everyday Meals Roundups Slow Cooker Soup

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FAQs

How long can you leave chili in a crockpot on low? ›

The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

Is it OK to leave crockpot on low overnight? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Is it safe to leave chili in a crockpot on warm overnight? ›

So here's the verdict regarding chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What is the trick to a good chili? ›

The ultimate chili should:
  1. Have a rich, complex chile flavor that combines sweet, bitter, hot, fresh, and fruity elements in balance.
  2. Have a robust, meaty, beefy flavor.
  3. Assuming that it contains beans, have beans that are tender, creamy, and intact.
  4. Be bound together by a thick, deep-red sauce.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

The best meat for chili depends on the type you're making, but professionals generally use a combination of ground chuck, brisket, short ribs, or diced tri-tip sirloin mixed with bacon and sausage to layer multiple textures and flavors.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

Using Cornmeal to Thicken Chili

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Why put cornmeal in chili? ›

Mix in Cornmeal

According to Wofford, the ingredient will soak up the hot liquid, creating a creamy texture (like cooked polenta). Cornmeal will also add a pleasant corn flavor, which pairs well with common chili ingredients like bell peppers, tomatoes, and chili powder.

Can chili sit out for 3 hours? ›

To ensure food safety, it is generally recommended to follow the "2-hour rule" for perishable foods. If chili has been left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, it is advisable to discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

How long should a crockpot cook on low? ›

How to use a slow cooker
Oven or stovetopSlow cooker (high)Slow cooker (low)
15 – 30 minutes1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours4 – 6 hours
30 – 45 minutes2 – 3 hours6 – 8 hours
45 minutes to 3 hours4 – 6 hours8 – 12 hours

Does 2 hours on hot equal 4 hours on low crockpot? ›

One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW.

Can you overcook ground beef in chili? ›

When cooked to the point of most water evaporating, the batch of beef will be unpleasantly overdone.

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