Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chili is a hearty and flavorful recipe, which is made with ground beef and kidney beans. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 8 to 10 hours on low.
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chili Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 14 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
How To Make Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chili
- Brown the Meat and Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking it up, until it starts to brown. Add the diced green pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and the beef is no longer pink. Drain off the excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker. Add the chili powder, cumin, ground chipotle, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
- Slow Cook the Chili: Stir everything together until well combined. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips.
Recipe Tips
- How do you get the most flavor? The first step is the most important. Browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker creates a deep, rich, savory flavor base that you can’t get by just dumping raw ingredients in.
- How to control the spice level? The heat in this recipe comes from the ground chipotle and cayenne pepper. For a milder chili, you can reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. For a spicier chili, feel free to add a little extra.
- Can I use a different kind of meat? Yes. This recipe is also delicious with ground turkey or a combination of ground beef and sausage. Just be sure to brown it well before adding it to the crock pot.
- What if I don’t have liquid smoke? Liquid smoke adds a wonderful, subtle smokiness that mimics a chili that’s been cooked over a fire all day. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Chili
A hearty bowl of chili is a meal in itself, but it’s always better with a variety of toppings and a classic side. Serve it with:
- Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and diced red onion
- Crushed corn chips (like Fritos) or tortilla chips
- Sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro
- A big slice of warm, buttery cornbread
How To Store Crock Pot Chili
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor is often even better the next day as it has more time to meld.
- Freeze: Allow the chili to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crock Pot Chili Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to brown the ground beef first?
For the best flavor and texture, yes. Browning the beef creates a deep, caramelized flavor that is essential for a rich chili. It also allows you to drain off the excess grease before it goes into the slow cooker.
Can I use different beans?
Absolutely. If you don’t have kidney beans, this chili is also fantastic with pinto beans, black beans, or a combination of all three.
Can I make this chili on the stovetop?
Yes. Follow the browning steps in a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Then, add all the other ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2-3 hours for a deeper flavor, stirring occasionally.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans Instant Pot Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chili Recipe
Description
A classic, hearty beef and bean chili made easy in the slow cooker, packed with rich spices and a smoky flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef with salt and pepper. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic and cook until soft. Drain the fat.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
- Stir in all the spices, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
- Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important step for a flavorful chili is to brown the meat and sauté the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis chili is perfect for making ahead; the flavors get even better on the second day.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a milder chili, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t skip draining the fat from the ground beef mixture, as this prevents a greasy final product.u003c/liu003e
