This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chili is a hearty, no-fuss dinner that’s perfect for busy days. With just a handful of pantry staples and minimal prep, you’ll have a warm, comforting pot of chili simmering away while you go about your day. It’s rich, flavorful, and ideal for feeding the family or stocking up on leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix (about 1–1.25 oz)
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then transfer the cooked beef to the crockpot.
- Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili seasoning mix, and beef broth to the crockpot.
- Stir everything together until the ingredients and seasoning are evenly combined.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chili is hot and the flavors have melded.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, or crushed tortilla chips.
Variation
- Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version with the same cozy flavor.
- Use black beans or pinto beans instead of kidney beans, or a mix of your favorites for extra texture.
- Make it spicier by adding an extra can of diced green chilies, a pinch of cayenne, or a chopped jalapeño before cooking.
Cooking Notes
- If your slow cooker runs hot, check the chili at the lower end of the cooking time to prevent over-reducing the liquid.
- For a thicker chili, uncover the crockpot for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking or mash some of the beans with a spoon.
- If you need to cook it longer (up to 9–10 hours on LOW), add an extra 1/4–1/2 cup broth to prevent it from drying out.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve ladled into bowls topped with shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack, sour cream, and sliced green onions.
- Spoon the chili over cooked rice, baked potatoes, or macaroni for a heartier meal.
- Use leftovers as a topping for nachos or hot dogs for an easy game-day spread.
Tips
- Brown the beef well to develop extra flavor before adding it to the crockpot don’t rush this step.
- If you’re sensitive to spice, choose mild diced tomatoes with green chilies and a mild chili seasoning mix.
- Double the recipe in a larger slow cooker to meal prep for the week or to feed a crowd cooking time remains about the same.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Total Time: 6–8 hours 10 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 24 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this chili on the stovetop instead of a crockpot?
Yes. Simmer everything together in a covered pot on low heat for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors develop. - Can I use frozen ground beef?
For food safety and best texture, thaw the beef completely before browning and adding to the crockpot. - How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Swap the ground beef for an extra can of beans (such as black or pinto) and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. - Can I prepare this the night before?
Yes. Brown the beef, combine everything in the crock insert, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, place the insert in the base and cook as directed.
Conclusion
This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chili is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort meal. With just minutes of prep and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a hearty, flavorful pot of chili ready whenever you are. Perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or cozy weekends, it’s a simple recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
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5-Ingredient Crockpot Chili
- Total Time: 6–8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free chili seasoning and broth)
Description
This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chili is a hearty, no-fuss dinner that’s perfect for busy days. With just a handful of pantry staples and minimal prep, you’ll have a warm, comforting pot of chili simmering away while you go about your day. It’s rich, flavorful, and ideal for feeding the family or stocking up on leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix (about 1–1.25 oz)
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then transfer the cooked beef to the crockpot.
- Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili seasoning mix, and beef broth to the crockpot.
- Stir everything together until the ingredients and seasoning are evenly combined.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chili is hot and the flavors have melded.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, or crushed tortilla chips.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90% or higher) if you prefer a lighter chili.
- Salt content can vary widely depending on your chili seasoning and broth taste before adding extra salt.
- This chili thickens as it cools; add a splash of broth or water when reheating if needed.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Category: Main Course, Soup, Chili
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 850 mg (approx., varies by seasoning and broth brands)
- Fat: 14 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 6 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (approx.)
- Carbohydrates: 26 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 8 g (approx.)
- Protein: 24 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 65 mg (approx.)
Keywords: 5-ingredient chili,crockpot chili,slow cooker chili,easy chili recipe,weeknight dinner,ground beef chili