5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (2024)

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This easy 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe is the easiest you will ever make. Just dump everything into your slow cooker in the morning and enjoy for dinner! You can spice it up if you like or leave it as is. Serve it inside baked potatoes or on top rice for the perfect hearty dinner.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (1)

I came up with this 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe years ago. It worked well on a day when I was going to be away. It’s great when it’s “chilly” outside! 😉 It’s one of our very first and our most popular crockpotrecipes. (post may contain affiliate links)

5 Ingredient Chili

I will tell you that we make this every single week. We change it up by serving it inside potatoes, on rice, or alone smothered with cheese. It’s cheap, healthy and super versatile and GREAT for a crowd. Double for Super Bowl times or for a family it is just about perfect.

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Saves really well too if you have one extra serving you save for the next day. I kid you not I don’t know how many thanks I have received from others who love it too. Give it a whirl and you will see, and likely will be added into your meal rotations too.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

  1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
  2. If you just want to serve a few appetizers you should get this one that sit side by side one another.
  3. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (2)

5 ingredient Crockpot chili

Even when it is warm outside this few ingredient recipe is our go to meal! It’s actually pretty healthy and inexpensive to make. It tastes great and I love it because it is really a dump and go meal we all enjoy!

  1. Ground beef (or ground turkey, ground spicy sausage is great, or omit entirely)
  2. Kidney beans
  3. Diced tomatoes (I like these)
  4. Tomato sauce (this small can is perfect)
  5. Chili seasoning or a blend of your own spices

Diced or minced onions are optional but I’ll usually add them in too if I have some on hand. If you’re in a real hurry you can make this in under 30 minutes flat. Use our easy Instant Pot chili directions here.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (3)

5 ingredient slow cooker chili recipe

  • First brown ground beef or sausage on your stovetop over medium high heat until outsides are no longer pink. Pour cooked beef into the crockpot
  • Then dump all other remaining ingredients into the crock pot on top of that.

Of course, please add chili powder and/or red peppers if you want some heat to it. I usually do not but that is totally up to y’all.

  • Let it cook all day long on low which makes the means really soft and flavorful as they, and the meat, soak up the good juices from the sauce.
  • We typically serve it on top of rice or inside potatoes, here’s the best way to make baked potatoes
  • It’s a great meal and quite healthy too!

Of course you could omit the meat entirely if you want to make a 5 ingredient vegetarian chili of sorts.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (4)

I like to use a smaller crockpot to make my 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe

I swear by my rice cooker and pressure cooker. Jasmine rice is our go to as far as serving goes. It is cheap and everyone just loves it. If you don’t have one I would HIGHLY suggest picking either one up!

They aren’t expensive and last forever. You can serve this mild hearty chiliover rice or we have even put some inside crockpot baked potatoes with some shredded sharp cheese on top! The possibilities are endless once you have the basics that you need to prepare them.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (5)

What goes with chili for a party?

Let me tell you, if you have a large crowd you have got to make a chili bar with all the fixings! It is super cheap to put together and people love it!

Some of the best chili toppings are as follows:

  • Cheese is a given of course
  • Diced onions give it a bit of texture
  • Tobasco or diced jalapenos give it a real kick of heat
  • Sour cream is actually a new favorite of ours

If you want some heat you can of course add dry red chili pepper flakes into the mix. Be gentle at first as you don’t want to make it too hot because you can’t tone it down easily at the end. Diced jalapenos work well too if you’d prefer.

What bread goes best with chili?

  1. Our garlic pull apart bread is to die for
  2. You could always go with this easy roll recipe
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (6)

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili

Looking for more easy crockpot recipes?

  1. Crockpot macaroni and cheese recipe
  2. Bloody mary chili can be made in the crockpot
  3. Easy crockpot lasagna recipe

If you have a bunch coming over you can serve it in a multitude of ways really. We have tried them all.

Best way to serve chili

  • In bowls with cheese on top of course
  • On top of rice – Instant Pot white rice is the best

Inside crockpot baked potatoes is probably my all time favorite ways to eat it. If you love crispy skins, try our air fryer baked potatoes too.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (7)

Five Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili

Here’s a quick rundown below but in the recipe card at the bottom you can actually print it all out. In a pan brown your ground beef or ground sausage on the stovetop. If you want to add freshly diced onion do so at this time so they can soften along with your meat.

  • Drain the grease from your meat (or keep it if you think it adds more flavor, either way is fine).
  • Dump it into your crockpot.
  • Add all other ingredients and stir together.
  • Put on low in your crockpot to cook all day but at least for 4 hrs minimum.
  • Serve with cheese on top or inside baked potatoes.

This really is our favorite dump dinner of all times we’ve made for 10+ years now.

McCormick Slow Cooker Chili

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5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (8)

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (9)

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4.96 from 22 votes

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe

This easy 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe is the easiest you will ever make. Just dump everything into your slow cooker in the morning and enjoy for dinner! You can spice it up if you like or leave it as is. Serve it inside baked potatoes or on top rice for the perfect hearty dinner.

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword 5 ingredient, chili, crockpot, dump, easy, meatless, slow cooker, vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 232kcal

Author The Typical Mom

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 can diced tomatoes we like petite, 15 oz.
  • 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz.
  • 1 can kidney beans 15 oz.
  • 1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 packet chili seasoning spice aisle (or use 1 tsp. Lawry's + 1 tsp garlic salt + 1 tbsp. dry minced dehydrated onions + 1/4-1/2 tsp chili seasoning)
  • 1/3 c. water only if you want a thinner version
  • 1 tsp chili powder optional – if you want a bit of spice

Instructions

  • Brown your ground beef on the stovetop

  • Drain meat and add to your crockpot.

  • Add all other ingredients and stir

  • Put on low in your crockpot to cook all day but at least for 4 hrs minimum.

Video

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Nutrition Facts

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe

Amount Per Serving (5 oz)

Calories 232Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 53mg18%

Sodium 659mg29%

Potassium 716mg20%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 785IU16%

Vitamin C 14.3mg17%

Calcium 50mg5%

Iron 3.4mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (11)
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (12)
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5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (14)
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

What is the trick to a good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

Do you have to brown meat before slow cooker chili? ›

Do you have to brown the meat for slow cooker chili? Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

In addition, broth, beer, and/ or water is usually added to produce the desired consistency in the pot of chili. I usually add one or two cups of beef broth. If you put tomatoes in the stew, this will also provide plenty of liquid. Orange juice is an interesting one to use for some of the necessary liquid.

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

Not Cooking It Long Enough

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili.

Is tomato paste necessary for chili? ›

Tomato paste may come in a small can (or tube), but it packs a powerful punch and is an essential flavor building block for dishes like chili and beef stew.

What is classic chili made of? ›

This Classic Chili recipe is made with beef, kidney and pinto beans, and simmered in a red sauce with lots of seasonings. This easy chili recipe is cooked in a slow cooker and always the first pot of chili to go.

Do you drain beans for chili? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish.

Should I put garlic in my chili? ›

Garlic – I'm using lots of garlic for this chili recipe, fresh is best but if canned is all you have just keep in mind that 1 1/2 teaspoons equals one fresh clove. Beef – Ground beef, lean or regular will work just fine. Spices – Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and cayenne are our flavor weapons today.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

The low and slow cooking process melds the flavors of the chili seasoning into every bite and the beef becomes so tender, juicy, and irresistible. You can slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.

Can you overcook chili in a crockpot? ›

Can I overcook chili in a slow cooker? Yes, but it would take a while. I have cooked this chili for 9 hours on low and it was delicious but ever-so-slightly burnt on the top. The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long.

How to give chili a deeper flavor? ›

Is it lacking in savory depth? Add a hit of soy sauce, Worcestershire, or tamari. These salty, savory powerhouses won't dominate or change the flavor of your chili so much as amplify what's there. Start with one tablespoon, stir, and taste before you add another.

What can I add to chili to make it more flavorful? ›

You can also consider changing the flavor slightly when serving. You can add chopped herbs (cilantro, culantro, parsley, etc), something acidic (sour cream, lime juice, chamoy sauce, pickled jalapeños, a vinegary hot sauce), other hot sauces, minced onion, etc.

How to darken chili? ›

Add a Porter or Stout beer to the recipe for some extra darkness.

How do you add depth of Flavour to chili con carne? ›

8. The secret ingredient for chilli – chocolate. Dark chocolate adds a touch of bitterness and a depth of flavour to the sauce.

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