This Crockpot Chili Recipe is perfect for those cold wintery days when you need something easy to make, especially when filling the house with the delicious aromas you get with this slow cooker chili. Couple that with a freshly baked cinnamon roll, and you've got a traditional Midwestern meal!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You'll love this recipe if you like a thick, spicy, and hearty chili that is pretty much dump-and-go. While I've never entered it into a chili cookoff, I think it most likely wins. Plus, this recipe has been years in the making, and I think it's reached its peak!
Ingredients
Meat: I use a mixture of Ground Beef and Homemade Hot Italian Sausage. (See Expert Tips)
Vegetables: You'll need a Yellow Onion and two Cans of Rotel.
Beans: You'll need Canned Black Beans, Pinto Beans, and Dark Kidney Beans.
Liquids: Guinness Draught and V8 Original Tomato Juice are all you'll need for this chili.
Herbs and Spices: Two Alarm Chili Mix, Cocoa Powder, and Sugar will get this all spiced up for you. (See Expert Tips)
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Begin to sauté the onion until it starts turning translucent.
Next, add the ground beef and hot Italian sausage, and brown the meat. Once you have browned the meat, drain the grease using a fine strainer and then add the meat to the Slow Cooker.
Step 2: Pour in the V8, Rotel, Cocoa Powder, and sugar, stirring to ensure everything is well combined.
Step 3: Add the bottle of Guinness and stir again.
Step 4: Open all the packets in the 2 Alarm Chili boxes and pour them into the slow cooker, mixing well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
Cook the chili for 4 hours on low or 8 hours on high, adding the cans of beans at the beginning of the last hour.
Serve with Shredded Cheese, Saltines/Fritos, Sour Cream, and a Big Beautiful Cinnamon Roll.
Expert Tips
- If you prefer to make your chili a little less rich and spicy, use 2 lbs of ground beef.
- If you would like this to have the richness of the Italian sausage but with less spice, go for a mild or even sweet ground Italian sausage.
- Rather than make your homemade Italian sausage, the store-bought sausage will do just fine.
- Be sure that you have two boxes of 2 Alarm chili.
- The sugar in the recipe breaks down some of the acidity of the soup. I have also used dark brown sugar, which is very good but slightly changes the chili flavor.
Recipe FAQs
If your crockpot chili tastes bland, this is most likely due to a lack of seasoning and salt. I recommend using two boxes of the 2 Alarm Chili Mix. Not only does this add a ton of flavor, but it also thickens the chili due to the masa that's included in the packets.
Yes. Brown and strain the fat out of the meat before adding it to your crockpot chili.
Yes. The longer you simmer chili, the thicker it will get. Just remove the lid so some liquid can steam and reduce.
Toward the end of the cooking time, remove the lid and allow the steam to release. This will not only thicken the chili but also keep it from getting watery.
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📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef - 80/20
- 1 Lb Ground Hot Italian Sausage
- 1 Yellow Onion - Diced
- 2 Box 2 Alarm Chili Mix
- 1 Bottle Guinness Draught
- 1 ½ Cups V8 Original Tomato Juice
- 2 28 oz Cans Rotel
- 2 teaspoon Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 15 Oz Black Beans
- 15 Oz Pinto Beans
- 15 Oz Dark Kidney Beans
Instructions
- Saute the onion until just about translucent.
- Brown the Italian Sausage and Ground Beef with the onions and then drain.
- Add the Meat and onion mixture to the slow cooker along with the 2 Alarm Chili Mix, Guinness, V8, Rotel, Cocoa Powder, and Sugar.
- Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 Hours.
- During the last hour of cooking drain and add the beans.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you prefer to make your chili a little less rich and spicy, use 2 lbs of ground beef.
- If you would like this to have the richness of the Italian sausage but with less spice, go for a mild or even sweet ground Italian sausage.
- Rather than make your homemade Italian sausage, the store-bought sausage will do just fine.
- Be sure that you have two boxes of 2 Alarm chili.
- The sugar in the recipe breaks down some of the acidity of the soup. I have also used dark brown sugar, which is very good but slightly changes the chili flavor.
Bill says
Jeremy
I have told many people I had chile and cinnamon rolls for school lunch in Spokane Wa during the 60s
now I know where it came from
Jeremy says
Thanks for checking out the post! Some people think I'm crazy but they pair so perfectly together!
Shatty says
Any chance of making a white chili chicken recipe?
Jeremy says
Absolutely! I LOVE white chicken chili and will get one posted soon! Thanks for reaching out!