Bless This Mess › Recipes › Soups, Stews, & Chowders

Easy Slow Cooker Chili

By Melissa

on Oct 22, 2018, Updated May 10, 2022

Easy Slow Cooker Chili made with all the classic ingredients like beans, tomatoes, and ground beef, plus two other surprising ingredients that will add tons of flavor with no extra work. This hearty chili recipe is best served with some fresh cornbread!

Slow Cooker Chili Recipe with Ground Beef

Slow cooker chili is my favorite! Dump in allll the things, let it sit on your counter while you read books to the babies, clean up messes for the millionth time (because there’s always something to clean isn’t there?!), run kids back and forth, and maybe even sneak in a nap. I love and use my slow cooker all the time and chili is such a great option in it. You know how chili is normally better the day after you make it? Well I feel like making chili in the slow cooker gives it that time it needs to mix and mingle, making the flavor so good.

I also love chili because it’s a meal that my kids can customize at the table. If you’ve been around Bless This Mess long, you know I love it when family members can make a dish their own. There are so many things you can top a bowl of chili with! We love finely diced raw onion, diced green onion, cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, pickled jalapenos, fresh chopped cilantro, oyster crackers, and cornbread (here’s my all-time favorite tried and true cornbread recipe).

No matter what you top it with, it’s sure to be a simple easy dinner that practically cooks itself. Now that’s something to cheer about!

Tips and Tricks for Making Chili in the Slow Cooker:

• You can use other ground meats such as chicken and turkey or even ground elk or venison for this recipe if you like. I have tried letting the meat cook in the slow cooker (without browning it first on the stove). It worked fine but it left all of the grease in the chili which I didn’t like.
• I love using green salsa in this recipe because it adds a great depth of flavor without extra work. If you like it hot, find a hot salsa. If you like it more mild, be sure the salsa reflects that. If you aren’t sure how much to add, try the lesser amount and after the cooking time you can always stir more into the pot.
• Pumpkin is my favorite secret ingredient for chili. It adds a subtle sweetness and thickens the chili nicely without adding a pumpkin flavor. You are going to love this trick!
• I love to cook dry beans in my instant pot. If you can find cranberry beans, they are great in this recipe.
• Got leftover chili? We love it on top of baked potatoes later in the week. Makes a quick second meal out of one that you’ve already cooked.
• I have this slow cooker and love it – works great and it’s only around $50.

Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseats on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

Easy Slow Cooker Chili

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 min
• Yield: Serves 6-8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Easy Slow Cooker Chili made with all the classic ingredients like beans, tomatoes, and ground beef, plus two other surprising ingredients that will add tons of flavor with no extra work. This hearty chili recipe is best served with some fresh cornbread!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1 heaping cup)
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1–2 cups green salsa
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cans diced tomatoes, juice included (15 ounce)
• 4 cups cooked beans such as pinto or cranberry beans
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Additional salt and pepper to taste
• Raw onion, shredded cheese, hot sauce, and/or sour cream for serving, optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a medium skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
2. Add the cooked meat mixture to the base of your slow cooker.
3. Add the pumpkin puree, green salsa, chicken stock, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to combine well.
4. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6.
5. Before serving, adjust the seasoning to taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
6. Serve hot with optional onion, shredded cheese, hot sauce, and/or sour cream.

Notes

• You can use other ground meats such as chicken and turkey or even ground elk or venison for this recipe if you like.
• I love using green salsa in this recipe because it adds a great depth of flavor without extra work. If you like it hot, find a hot salsa. If you like it more mild, be sure the salsa reflects that. If you aren’t sure how much to add, try the lesser amount and after the cooking time, you can always stir more into the pot.
• Pumpkin is my favorite secret ingredient for chili. It adds a subtle sweetness and thickens the chili nicely without adding a pumpkin flavor. You are going to love this trick!
• I love to cook dry beans in my instant pot. If you can find cranberry beans, they are great in this recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Love Slow Cooker Chili? You might also like these chili recipes:

• Easy Turkey Pumpkin Chili
• Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
• Healthy Lentil Chili
• White Bean Chicken Chili
• Creamy White Chicken Chili

So many chili recipes to love including some great meatless ones that we make often.

Enjoy this easy recipe from my kitchen to yours!