One of the best things is the smell of comfort food cooking low and slow. This Slow Cooker Homestyle Chili is hearty, budget friend, and comes together with almost no effort since the slow cooker is doing most of the work. Simply toss everything in, let it simmer, and dinner is ready.

bowl of chili in a white bowl on a white counter with crackers surrounding, a spoon in the bowl, and shredded cheese on top

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I highly recommend this recipe for cold Fall and winter nights, football Sundays, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, all without spending all day in the kitchen. It is very budget friendly since it stretch the pound of ground beef across several cans of beans and tomatoes.

Because it simmers low and slow in the crockpot, the flavors have plenty of time to come together. The beans become perfectly tender without turning mushy. Once it is all done, everyone can build their own chili bowls with their favorite toppings.

Add this recipe to your fall and winter dinner rotation, and your family will be asking for it on repeat!

Why you’ll love Slow Cooker Homestyle Chili

Hearty and filling – Between the ground beef and three different kinds of beans, this chili is packed with protein and fiber to keep everyone satisfied.

Hands off cooking – Since it is made in the slow cooker, you can place everything in and walk away. There is not need to babysit a pot on the stove.

Simple ingredients – most everything comes straight from a can, so prep is quick and the grocery bill stays low.

Perfect for meal stacking – Make a big pot of chili one night, and use it to build other meals throughout the week like our Easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese or our Loaded Baked Potato Skillet.

Great for feeding a crowd – This recipe makes a big batch, so it is perfect for game day, potlucks, or leftovers.

Supplies needed to make Slow Cooker Homestyle Chili

A large 6 quart or bigger slow cooker
A cutting board and knife for chopping vegetables (or use a vegetable chopper to make it easier!)
A can opener for all the canned ingredients
A large spoon for stirring

Ingredients

ground meat in the slow cooker, a bowl of beans, a bowl of chopped vegies, and cans of tomato sauce on a white counter

cans of beans and tomato sauce, brother, a bowl of chopped veggies, and a bowl of seasoning on a white counter

Ground Beef – Lean ground beef browns up and keeps the chili from becoming greasy.

Stewed Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce – This builds the tomato base and give the chili it’s tangy, sweet sauce.

Rotel Fire Roasted Tomatoes – This adds a so much flavor to the chili.

Chili beans, Pinto Beans, and Kidney Beans – Using a mix of beans makes this chili extra hearty. The chili beans are left undrained so thir sauce thickens the pot even more.

Beef Broth – This helps thin the chili slightly as it thickens while it simmers.

Celery, Onion, and Green Bell Pepper – This veggie trio adds texture and so much flavor.

Kinder’s Chili Seasoning – I love this seasoning for this chili because it adds so much delicious flavor every single time.

Toppings – Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and diced onions are our favorite chili bowl toppings but feel free to add whatever toppings your family loves!

The full recipe, along with the ingredients, can be found below.

How to make Slow Cooker Homestyle Chili

cook browned ground beef with onions, bell peppers, and celery in a pot

cook browned ground beef with seasoning, onions, bell peppers, and celery in a pot

First, add the ground beef into a skillet over medium heat and cook until it is brown, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease. Add your chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the pan.

Then, transfer the browned beef and veggies to your slow cooker. Pour your packet of Kinder’s Chili Seasoning into your pan.

Add the stewed tomatoes, crushing the larger tomato pieces into smaller pieces. Then, the tomato sauce, Rotel, chili beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans to the pot.

Next, pour in the beef broth and stir everything together.

Finally, cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have married together.

Lastly, give the chili a final stir, ladle the chili into bowls, and add your favorite toppings.

The full recipe, along with te ingredients, can be found below.

a spoon full of chili in a white bowl of chili

Tips

If you prefer your chili to be on the thicker side, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking to let some of the liquid to reduce.
For a spicier kick, use a diced jalapeno when cooking your veggies with the meat.
You can easily swap out ground beef for ground turkey.
This chili freezes well, so consider doubling the recipe and freeze half for an easy future meal.
Saltine crackers or a warm slice of cornbread make the perfect side.

a white bowl of chili topped with cheddar cheese with a spoon resting in the bowl on a white counter surrounded by crackers

FAQs

The key ingredients are ground beef, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Rotel Fire Roasted Tomatoes, chili beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, beef broth, celery, onion, green belly pepper, garlic, and Kinder’s chili seasoning.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Yes! This chili freezes well in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop before serving.

Yes! Brown the beef in a large pot, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low for about an hour, making sure to stir occasionally until the vegetables are cooked completely.

Recipe

Slow Cooker Homestyle Chili

Hearty, budget friendly chili loaded with ground beef, plenty of beans, and a rich tomato sauce. It simmers low and slow in the slow cooker for a comforting dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights, a cozy fall night, or feeding a crowd.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 20

Course Dinner, Slow Cooker, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Beef, lean
1 can Stewed Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Sauce, any flavor
1 can Rotel Fire Roasted Tomatoes
2 cans Chili Beans, undrained
2 cans Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans Light Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups Beef Broth
2 stalks Celery, chopped
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
1 package Kinder's Chili Seasoning
1 teaspoon Onion Powder

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Add your chopped onion, celery, green pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet, then transfer to your crockpot. Then, add your Kinder's chili seasoning.
Add your stew tomatoes, crushing the larger chunks into smaller chunks. Then, add your can of tomato sauce, Rotel, chili beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans to the pot.
Pour in your beef broth and give the pot a good stir, mixing everything together.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Stir well, ladle into individual bowls, and top with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

Freezer friendly – this chili freezes well for up to 3 months.
Perfect for game day, cozy Fall or Winter nights, meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Set your toppings out so everyone can build their own bowls.
For a thicker chili, leave the lid off during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

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