There's nothing like a nice hot bowl of Chili on a cold wintery day. Especially when it's filling the house with delicious aromas like you get with this crock pot chili recipe.
Couple that with a fresh baked cinnamon roll and you've got your self a traditional Midwestern meal!
Thats RIGHT...Crock Pot Chili with CINNAMON ROLLS!
And guess what else Texas...BEANS, BEANS, BEANS, and MORE BEANS!
I say that jokingly but i'm not joking.
You see, I wouldn't consider myself a well traveled man. I know, it's extremely unfortunate. I do understand and appreciate the importance of travel on a persons life. But, before my 21st birthday, the only other states I remember visiting all bordered Nebraska.
With that being said, I didn't know that there was such a thing as chili with no beans. That just doesn't sound like chili to me. But, Ive now learned that chili with beans doesn't sound like chili to some southern folks.
Either way, this chili has beans!
Fine, Beans! But Cinnamon Rolls?
Cinnamon Rolls are to chili what bacon is to eggs. At least thats what most native Midwesterners will tell you.
I know that a large part of the country has a slice of cornbread on the side.
Which is fine and I do like that as well. However, there's something about the sweet and spicy combo that compliment each other so well.
Above and beyond the pairing just making unquestionable sense, it's a very nostalgic combo for us that grew up in the heartland.
Word has it that this all started back in the 60's when Recipes for a Chili and Cinnamon roll combo were introduced to the public school systems to serve for lunch. The first states to feature this extremely popular lunch item were Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and Washington. Possibly the only states to serve that as a school lunch. But I was certainly having it this way at school and home for as long as I can remember.
In fact, this crock pot chili recipe itself, is based on my Mom's recipe with just a few tweaks by my wife and I.
It is a bit spicy but again, I have already explained how to balance the spice and the acidity...CINNAMON ROLLS!
This pairing is so popular that it's even a combo option at the famous midwest chain, Runza.
Which by the way, if you're interested in knowing what a Runza is or trying one and not in or around Nebraska, check out this recipe too!
Alright, enough with all the jibber jabber about how this is is the most amazing thing you'll ever eat during any winter of your entire life.
Let's Get to Cookin'!
Being that this is a Crock pot Chili Recipe its really very simple. So this wont take long to explain at all.
First heat a skillet over medium heat with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Begin to sauté the onion and it's just turning translucent. Next add the ground beef and Italian sausage and brown the meat. Once you have browned the meat be sure to drain the grease using a fine strainer and then add the meat to the Slow Cooker.
Now, open all the packets that come in the 2 Alarm Chili box and add those to the meat mixing well to ensure all the meat is covered in the mix.
Next, add the bottle of Guinness, V8, Rotel, Cocoa Powder, and sugar.
Cooke the chili for 4 hours on low or 8 hour 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 and ENJOY!
📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef - 80/20
- 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!
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!