Best 3 Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

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In the realm of comforting and delectable dishes, hearty slow cooker chili stands as a culinary beacon, promising warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. With its ability to turn simple ingredients into a rich and flavorful tapestry of flavors, this classic recipe has earned a well-deserved place in the kitchens of home cooks everywhere. Whether you seek a comforting meal on a chilly evening or a hearty feast to share with loved ones, embarking on a journey to discover the best slow cooker chili recipe is an adventure worth taking.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HEARTY SLOW-COOKER CHILI



Hearty Slow-Cooker Chili image

When it's time to build my zesty chili, I combine everything the night before. In the morning, I load the slow cooker and let it do the work. -Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 6h25m

Yield 10 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 teaspoons canola oil
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chiles
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chili powder
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Hot cooked rice or pasta
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and sliced green onions

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add green pepper, onion and garlic; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker., Working in batches if necessary, cook beef in the same skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to slow cooker., Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles, parsley and seasonings into beef mixture. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve with rice and toppings as desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or broth if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 863mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

HEARTY VEGAN SLOW-COOKER CHILI



Hearty Vegan Slow-Cooker Chili image

Makes 10-15 servings. This recipe can be adjusted according to your taste preferences, so you can leave out undesirable ingredients or add others that appeal to you (like mushrooms). I add ingredients just to bulk up the heartiness and color palate of the chili, but feel free to just use a few green peppers or same-colored zucchinis as you desire. By the end, you just want everything to be hearty, moist, and flavored -- mess around with it as you go! I would say to serve it with shredded cheese and corn chips, but then it's no longer 'vegan.' : )

Provided by Grete

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 5h55m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
6 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, or more if needed
1 cup vegetable broth, or more if needed

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place the mixture into a slow cooker. Stir in spinach, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed. Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth over the ingredients.
  • Set the cooker on Low, and cook until all vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 hours. Check seasoning; if chili is too thick, add more tomato sauce and vegetable broth to desired thickness. Cook an additional 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.8 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 616.7 mg, Sugar 7.1 g

HEARTY SLOW-COOKER BULGUR CHILI



Hearty Slow-Cooker Bulgur Chili image

Chewy, hearty bulgur serves as a terrific meat substitute in this warm, comforting vegetarian chili that's made all the more robust with some good solid glugs of strong coffee.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 8h15m

Number Of Ingredients 19

3/4 cup bulgur wheat
2 cups yellow onion (diced)
2 cups sliced white button mushrooms
1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz. can kidney beans (drained)
1 14 oz. can pinto beans (drained)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper (or to taste)
Bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
A few turns fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the bulgur in a medium bowl and pour two cups boiling water over the top. Let soak for 15 minutes, then drain and squeeze the bulgur dry.
  • Add the bulgur along with all of the other ingredients to your slow cooker/Crock Pot. Stir. Cook on low for 8 hours and add additional salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf and serve with your favorite chili toppings. We like it topped with shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and a little cilantro.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of beans. This will give your chili a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and cannellini beans.
  • Don't overcook the beef. Overcooked beef can be tough and chewy. Cook it until it is just tender, about 1-2 hours on low or 30 minutes on high.
  • Add vegetables to your chili. Vegetables will add flavor, texture, and nutrients to your chili. Some good options include onions, peppers, carrots, celery, and corn.
  • Season your chili to taste. Chili is a versatile dish that can be seasoned to your liking. Some common seasonings include chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.
  • Let your chili simmer. Simmering allows the flavors to meld and develop. Simmer your chili for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you have time.
  • Serve your chili with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings include cheese, sour cream, onions, and avocado.

Conclusion:

Slow-cooker chili is a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a hearty and flavorful chili that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give slow-cooker chili a try.

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