Name: Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb Italian sausage; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 onion, chopped; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped; 2 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1/2 tsp chipotle powder; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 2 cups beef broth; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 cup red wine (optional); 2 tbsp brown sugar; Shredded cheddar cheese for serving (optional); Sour cream for serving (optional); Baguette slices with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Chili is one of those dishes that everyone loves. It’s hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. But making chili on the stovetop can be time-consuming and messy. That’s why I love making chili in the slow cooker. It’s so easy and convenient.

You just dump everything in the pot, set it, and forget it. Six hours later, you have a delicious and comforting chili that’s perfect for a cold winter night.

Italian sausage and ground beef are combined in this slow-cooker chili recipe to add flavor and texture. To make it rich and complex, it also contains a variety of veggies, beans, and spices.

By adding more or less jalapeno pepper, you can change the level of heat. With some sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, and a toasted baguette topped with garlic butter and parmesan cheese, I prefer to serve this chili. It’s so good!

If you’re looking for an easy and tasty slow-cooker chili recipe, look no further. This is the one you need to try. Let me show you how to make it.

Ingredients

Ground beef

Italian sausage
Salt and black pepper to taste
Onion

Red bell pepper
Cloves garlic
Jalapeno pepper

Chili powder
Cumin
Chipotle powder

Tomato paste
Can diced tomatoes
Can red kidney beans

Beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
Red wine (optional)

Brown sugar
Shredded cheddar cheese for serving (optional)
Sour cream for serving (optional)

Baguette slices with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through—season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno to the same skillet—season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft.

Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker. Add the chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, red wine (if using), and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.

Ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired. Serve with toasted baguette slices if desired.

Enjoy!

Tool Used

Large skillet
Spatula
Slow cooker

Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing spoon
Knife and cutting board

Cheese grater

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different kind of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can use a different kind of meat for this recipe if you prefer. You can substitute ground beef and Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even venison. You can also use stew meat or chuck roast instead of ground meat, but you may need to increase the cooking time to make them tender.

Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, you can add more vegetables to this recipe if you want. You can add corn, carrots, celery, zucchini, mushrooms, or any other vegetables you like. Just make sure to chop them into bite-sized pieces and add them along with the other ingredients to the slow cooker.

Can I make this recipe spicier or milder?

You can make this recipe spicier or milder according to your taste. You can adjust the amount of jalapeno pepper, chili powder, and chipotle powder to make it more or less spicy. You can also add some cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce for extra heat. To make it milder, you can omit the jalapeno pepper and reduce the amount of chili powder and chipotle powder. You can also add some sour cream or cheese to balance out the spiciness.

Can I freeze this recipe for later?

Yes, you can freeze this recipe for later. Let the chili cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Label and date them and freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm up on the stovetop or microwave.

What can I serve with this chili?

You can serve this chili with various accompaniments, such as cornbread, grilled cheese, tortilla chips, crackers, rice, baked potatoes, salad, coleslaw, etc. You can also garnish it with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, etc.