Best 3 Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

Indulge in a hearty and comforting bowl of chili, a classic dish that embodies warmth and satisfaction. This versatile dish, made with a medley of plump beans, tender beef, and an array of spices, promises a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. Whether you prefer a classic beef chili, a vegetarian chili brimming with colorful vegetables, or a spicy chili that sets your taste buds ablaze, this article presents a culinary journey through a collection of chili recipes that cater to every palate. From the traditional to the innovative, these recipes offer a delightful exploration of this beloved comfort food. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your slow cooker, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HEARTY SLOW-COOKER CHILI

Hearty Slow-Cooker Chili image

When it's time to build my zesty chili, I combine everything the night before. In the morning, I load the slow cooker and let it do the work. -Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 6h25m

Yield 10 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chiles
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chili powder
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Hot cooked rice or pasta
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and sliced green onions

Steps:

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add green pepper, onion and garlic; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker., Working in batches if necessary, cook beef in the same skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to slow cooker., Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles, parsley and seasonings into beef mixture. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve with rice and toppings as desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or broth if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 863mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

HEARTY VEGAN SLOW-COOKER CHILI

Hearty Vegan Slow-Cooker Chili image

Makes 10-15 servings. This recipe can be adjusted according to your taste preferences, so you can leave out undesirable ingredients or add others that appeal to you (like mushrooms). I add ingredients just to bulk up the heartiness and color palate of the chili, but feel free to just use a few green peppers or same-colored zucchinis as you desire. By the end, you just want everything to be hearty, moist, and flavored -- mess around with it as you go! I would say to serve it with shredded cheese and corn chips, but then it's no longer 'vegan.' : )

Provided by Grete

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chili Recipes Vegetarian

Time 5h55m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
6 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, or more if needed
1 cup vegetable broth, or more if needed

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place the mixture into a slow cooker. Stir in spinach, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed. Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth over the ingredients.
Set the cooker on Low, and cook until all vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 hours. Check seasoning; if chili is too thick, add more tomato sauce and vegetable broth to desired thickness. Cook an additional 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.8 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 616.7 mg, Sugar 7.1 g

HEARTY SLOW-COOKER BULGUR CHILI

Hearty Slow-Cooker Bulgur Chili image

Chewy, hearty bulgur serves as a terrific meat substitute in this warm, comforting vegetarian chili that's made all the more robust with some good solid glugs of strong coffee.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 8h15m

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

3/4 cup bulgur wheat
2 cups yellow onion (diced)
2 cups sliced white button mushrooms
1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz. can kidney beans (drained)
1 14 oz. can pinto beans (drained)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper (or to taste)
Bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
A few turns fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

Place the bulgur in a medium bowl and pour two cups boiling water over the top. Let soak for 15 minutes, then drain and squeeze the bulgur dry.
Add the bulgur along with all of the other ingredients to your slow cooker/Crock Pot. Stir. Cook on low for 8 hours and add additional salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf and serve with your favorite chili toppings. We like it topped with shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and a little cilantro.

Tips:

Choose the right beans: Different beans have different flavors and textures. For a hearty chili, use a combination of kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans.
Soak the beans overnight: This will help to reduce the cooking time and make the beans more digestible.
Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you add to your chili, the more flavorful it will be. Some good options include onions, bell peppers, carrots, and corn.
Brown the meat before adding it to the chili: This will help to develop the flavor and prevent the meat from becoming dry.
Use a good quality chili powder: The chili powder is one of the most important ingredients in chili, so it's important to use a good quality one.
Simmer the chili for at least 30 minutes: This will help to develop the flavors and make the chili more tender.
Serve the chili with your favorite toppings: Some popular toppings include cheese, sour cream, onions, and cilantro.

Conclusion:

This hearty slow cooker chili is a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for a cold night. It's packed with flavor and can be easily customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a comforting meal, give this chili a try. You won't be disappointed!