Easy Slow Cooker Chilimade 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!

Quick and easy slow cooker chili made with all the classics like beans, tomatoes, and ground beef but contains two other surprising ingredients that will add tons of flavor with no extra work.

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 Rcova 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 my all-time favorite tried and truecornbread recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Convenient: This is a “set it and forget it” type of meal, where the slow cooker does most of the work for you.
Unique Flavor Additions: The recipe includes pumpkin puree and green salsa, which add a delightful twist of sweetness and depth of flavor without overpowering the chili.
Leftover Friendly: The chili is perfect for leftovers. Cook once, eat twice.

Ingredients

Ground Beef
Onion
Pumpkin Puree
Green Salsa
Chicken Stock
Canned Diced Tomatoes
Cooked Beans
Chili Powder
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Garlic Powder
Salt and Pepper
For Serving: Raw Onion, Shredded Cheese, Hot Sauce, and/or Sour Cream, optional

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How to Make Slow Cooker Chili

Step #1.Brown the ground meat and onion together in a skillet. Add it into your slow cooker.

Step #3.Cook on low 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Once done, taste and season as needed.

Step #2.Add the pumpkin puree, green salsa, chicken broth, tomatoes, and seasoning to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

Step #4.Serve hot with toppings as desired.

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

You can use other ground meats such as chicken and turkey or even ground elk or venison for this recipe if you like.

What slow cooker do you use?

I have this slow cooker and love it – works great and it’s only around $50.

Do I have to brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker?

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.

Expert Tips

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.
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 ofbaked potatoeslater in the week.Makes a quick second meal out of one that you’ve already cooked.
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!