Name: Slow Cooker Chili for a Crowd
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork); 2 large onions, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced; 3 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed; 3 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes; 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste; 2 cups beef broth; 3 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste); 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil

Description

Slow Cooker Chili for a Crowd is a hearty, flavorful dish packed with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. Easy to make and perfect for gatherings, game day, or potlucks, this recipe feeds a large group with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
2 large onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
3 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Transfer meat and vegetable mixture to a large slow cooker.
Add kidney beans, black beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well to combine, cover, and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, or cornbread on the side.

Notes

For a smoky flavor, add a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
Chili thickens as it sits—add more broth if needed.
Perfect make-ahead dish: chili tastes even better the next day.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: slow cooker chili, chili for a crowd, crockpot chili, game day chili, hearty beef chili, easy chili recipe