There’s something about a bowl of chili that instantly feels like home. When the weather cools down, I crave big, bold flavors — and this Easy Slow Cooker Chili hits the spot every time.
It’s made with either ground beef to make beef chili or ground turkey to make turkey chili, plus plenty of beans, tomatoes, and classic chili spices. The slow cooker does most of the work while your kitchen fills with the most amazing aroma.
This is the kind of recipe you’ll want to make for weeknight dinners, football Sundays, or meal prep for the week ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Chili
- It feeds a crowd! It’s great for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
- This is an easy chili recipe. Brown the meat and onions, toss everything in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.
- It’s customizable. Use beef or turkey, add more spice or keep it mild — it’s up to you!
- It tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients Needed:
- Ground Meat: You can use either ground beef or ground turkey.
- Tomatoes: Use crushed tomatoes in the can.
- Ro-Tel Tomatoes: Look for these near the other canned tomatoes.
- Kidney Beans: Or change things up and use pinto beans.
- Broth: Use beef broth if you’re using ground beef and chicken or turkey broth if you’re using ground turkey.
- Onion and Garlic: For flavor!
- Spices: Chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika and salt/pepper.
How to make Easy Slow Cooker Chili:
The complete, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1: Brown the meat
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the onion and garlic, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Load up the slow cooker
Transfer the meat mixture to your slow cooker. Add all of the other ingredients. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 3: Slow cook to perfection
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until thickened and flavorful.
Step 4: Taste and tweak
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, or add a splash of broth if you like a thinner chili.
Step 5: Serve and top
Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, sour cream or any of your favorite garnishes.
Recipe Tips
- Make It Healthier: Ground turkey keeps it lean without sacrificing flavor. You can even use ground chicken.
- Add More Veggies: Diced zucchini, corn, or bell peppers blend right in.
- Freezer Friendly: Cool completely and store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- For a Crowd: Double the recipe — the slow cooker can handle it!
- Utilize the Leftovers: Make my Baked Chili Dogs with leftover chili!
Variations to Try
- Vegetarian Chili: Skip the meat and add extra beans or lentils.
- Spicy Southwest Chili: Add corn, green chiles, and a pinch of chipotle powder.
- Sweet Potato Chili: Add cubed sweet potato for extra heartiness.
- No-Bean Chili: Omit the beans and add more ground meat and tomatoes.
What to Serve with Chili
Serve your crockpot chili with a warm slice of Green Chile Cornbread — it’s slightly spicy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping! For a classic pairing, try my Buttermilk Cornbread. It’s tender, lightly sweet, and goes perfectly with a big bowl of chili. If you’re serving a crowd, add a comforting side like Easy Funeral Potatoes. They’re creamy, cheesy, and always a hit. For something sweet and savory, try my Southern Savory Corn Pudding. It’s a cozy, classic side that complements chili beautifully.
Storage & Reheating
Freeze portions for up to 3 months — thaw overnight before reheating. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Author’s Note!
“This is one of those recipes my family actually requests on repeat. I love that it’s so easy to throw together, and it makes the house smell amazing all day long.”
Easy Slow Cooker Chili (with Ground Beef or Turkey)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (for cooking the chili)
- chili ladle (for serving the chili)
- nonstick skillet (for cooking the meat and onion)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2½ cups beef or chicken broth (see notes below)
- Two 16-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- One 10-ounce can Rotel tomatoes with tomatoes and chiles
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the ground meat, onion and garlic to the pan. Cook the meat and onion until the meat has browned. Spoon out any oil that has accumulated (or soak it up with paper towels).
- Add the cooked meat/onion and all other ingredients to your slow cooker insert. Stir. Cover and cook 6 to 8 hours on low.
- Serve with desired toppings (see notes below) and garlic bread or cornbread.
Notes
- If using ground beef, use beef broth. If using ground turkey, use chicken (or turkey) broth.
- Freeze portions for up to 3 months — thaw overnight before reheating. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Make It Healthier: Ground turkey keeps it lean without sacrificing flavor. You can even use ground chicken.
- For a Crowd: Double the recipe — the slow cooker can handle it!Utilize the
- Leftovers: Make my Baked Chili Dogs with leftover chili!
- Add More Veggies: Diced zucchini, corn, or bell peppers blend right in.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
