This Easy Slow Cooker Chili recipe is one of our favorites for the winter months. It is quick and easy to put together and you can eat it with all sorts of different side dishes. This recipe is kosher, gluten free, and non-dairy. Read on to learn how to make the best Easy Slow Cooker Chili recipe from scratch.
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Why This Recipe Works
Slow cooker kosher recipes are really popular because they let us have hot food on Shabbat and Yom Tov without too much hassle. This recipe for Slow Cooker Chili is great because it is:
- Easy to make. Other than browning the meat and onions, the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot does all of the work.
- Under 10 minutes prep time. Any prep done with the ground beef, onions, and garlic, takes less than 10 minutes. Toss the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker while you are waiting and this becomes a one pot recipe.
- A versatile food for lunch or dinner for the family. Slow Cooker Chili can be eaten by itself but it really shines when it accompanies another food like our Dairy Free Cornbread recipe or Authentic Spanish Rice. Make a few chili side dishes and let everyone choose their favorite.
How to make Easy Slow Cooker Chili step by step:
Step 1 - Make the spice blend
This is a simple chili spice blend that uses spices you should have in your kitchen.
Step 2 - Brown the meat and onions
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and then toss in the diced onions, garlic, and lean ground beef. Get the beef brown and then transfer it into your slow cooker. Leave the liquid behind, that is the excess fat and it does not help your chili.
Step 3- Add the other ingredients and cook
Canned kidney beans can be a bit slimy when you open them up; give them a rinse before adding them to your chili. Add the diced tomatoes as well; unlike the kidney beans, pour all of the liquid from the can of diced tomatoes into the slow cooker. Add the spice blend and cook on low for 6 hours. If you are making this on Friday for Shabbat, add an extra ½ cup of liquid before cooking and you can let it sit on warm until you are ready to serve.
Recipe FAQ
Everybody has their own secret ingredient for chili but this recipe uses cocoa powder. Other popular chili recipes use cinnamon or coffee as their secret ingredients. Some chili recipes even used ground turkey instead of beef for a turkey chili. Chili is just one of those foods that works well with so many different spices. You should feel free to try your own and share it with us in the comments section below.
Just like the different "secret ingredient spices" that make chili great, the liquids vary. We use only the liquid from the can of diced tomatoes but some popular liquid additions to try are tomato sauce, beef broth, beer, cola, water, and coffee.
Put the leftovers into an airtight bag or plastic container and make sure to get all of the air out before sealing. You can store kosher chili in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can also make this recipe ahead of time and freeze for up to 6 months.
Serving suggestions
- Pour over cornbread. The classic chili combo uses both chili and Dairy Free Cornbread.
- Spice it up. Either add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice blend or add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the finished chili
- Chili Nachos. Pour the chili over corn chips and top with pareve sour cream, black beans, and diced green onions.
- Chili Dogs Hot dogs topped with this chili are out of this world.
- Top with diced onions, green bell pepper, or diced jalapenos.
- Sprinkle on some of our Dairy Free "Cheese" Seasoning.
- Kosher for Passover - leave out the beans and serve over quinoa or Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Chili
Equipment
- 6 quart slow cooker
Ingredients
Spice Blend
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon coriander
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
Chili
- 1 onion medium
- 3 cloves garlic diced
- 2 lb ground beef 85% ground chuck
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz canned red kidney beans rinsed
Instructions
- Heat oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over medium heat.
- Saute onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the pan and cook until brown.
- Transfer the ground beef, onions, and garlic to a slow cooker along with the beans, tomatoes, and spice blend.
- Cook on low of 6 hours.
Notes
Serving suggestions
- Pour over cornbread. The classic chili combo uses both chili and Dairy Free Cornbread.
- Spice it up. Either add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice blend or add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the finished chili
- Chili Nachos. Pour the chili over corn chips and top with pareve sour cream and diced green onions.
- Chili Dogs Hot dogs topped with this chili are out of this world.
- Top with diced onions or diced jalapenos.
