There’s a nip in the morning air, the leaves are just beginning to change, and pumpkins are starting to show up in road-side stands. Yep… Fall is here! As the world around us cools and changes, the smells in our kitchens change too. Caramel, apple, pumpkin and spice waft through the air. I love Fall for many reasons, but especially for the hearty soups and stews that make their way to our tables. Chili and vegetable soup were always culinary indicators of Fall in our house growing up.
This super easy, meaty chili features two types of beef and is full of flavor. The best part is how easy it is. This is one of those dump, stir, and go slow cooker recipes that are great this time of year. It’s wonderful to get this started in the morning and come home to the amazing smells of a delicious, ready-to-eat meal. You can even prepare it the night before and place it in the refrigerator. Then just drop the crock in and turn it on the next morning. Don’t like beans in your chili? Just leave them out. Also, near the end you can add some hot sauce to suit your taste if you prefer something with a little more kick.
Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomato with green chilis with juice (like Ro*Tel)
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 (1.0-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 1 14.5-ounce) can beef broth
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a slow cooker and stir well. Cook on low for 8 hours, stirring only once or twice. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and some chopped green onion.
Sandy Herman says
Chili night tonight!!!!
Elizabeth says
I bet this is delicious and would like to make it. But I have a question on the beef stew. How did you prepare it for the crock pot? Did you cook it first, then cut it up in small pieces? Sounds good, would love to make this for sure.
Stacey says
I used the pre-cut cubed stew meat you can buy in the grocery store. Brown the ground beef, but the stew meat goes in raw.
DONALD says
NOT SURE ABOUT RANCH DRESSING WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR RECIPE
Stacey says
Give it a try, Donald! The chili doesn’t taste like ranch – at all. The packet is just a great blend of spices and flavor. It just gives it a punch.
Gracie says
Thank you, I hesitated for a moment on the ranch packet.
Stacey says
🙂
Pam G says
I was a little concerned too about the ranch, it tends to overwhelm things.
Stacey says
You won’t even taste the ranch in it. It just gives it a punch.
mary says
This sounds like an awesome chili recipe. Going to make it for Sunday Football. How many does this serve, and how big of a crockpot? thanks!
Stacey says
This fit well in my 5 quart CrockPot. Depending on serving size, I would say you could feed 5 or 6 people.
mary says
Thanks, can’t wait to try it!
Peggi Anderson says
Stacey, this will be wonderful tasting chili.I plan to make it this weekend. Thanks for the recipe.Hugs to all of you.
Stacey says
I hope you enjoy it, Ms. Peggi!
Judy says
I made this Chili last Sunday and my husband absolutely loved it. It was a little hot for me. I guess a happy medium would be either a little less chili powder or less Rio Tel. Any suggestions? Otherwise it is a keeper.
Thanks for the recipe!
Judy
Stacey says
I’m so glad he enjoyed it! I’ve found that the heat level of chili powder varies by brand. Try using less of that. You can always add more if you need to.
terry bee says
You are a great poster. Your comments mean so much more than comments like these, “Thanks, can’t wait to try it!’ and “Looks super yummy, delish!” I’m sure the people at Southern Bite appreciate what you had to say. I certainly did. Thanks again.
terry bee
Celina says
Hi Stacey…I can’t wait to try your recipe tonight. I make my chili with both meats as you do but I haven’t ever added ranch mix. I ~LOVE~ your site and all the recipes. Roll Tide ((tehehe))
Stacey says
Hi Celina! I hope you enjoy it, the ranch mix just gives it an extra punch of flavor. I’m so glad you enjoy the site! Roll Tide!
Bianca says
What are the nutrition facts for this chili?
Stacey says
Hi Bianca, Because of varying brands and such, I do not keep track of nutritional info on the recipes. Here’s a great tool that might help. You can input the ingredients and it gives you estimated nutritional info: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp
samantha says
This looks so good! I do have a question If I wanted steak or Bison as a meat in it when would I add it?
Stacey says
Thanks, Samantha. I would still add it in the beginning. Hope it turns out great!
Trish says
Hi Stacey
Commenting from the great state of North Carolina!!!
I tried your Slow Cooker Chili for the 1st time this weekend! It was excellent! Have to admit, I wasn’t quite sure about all that beef, but it turned out AWESOME!! My husband actually thought it was better the next day! This recipe will definitely be used again this winter!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Stacey says
That is awesome! I’m so glad that you all enjoyed it! The fact that you will be making it again is the ultimate compliment. Thanks, Trish!!
Donna Mashburn says
I made this last night for a group of friends here for the Auburn / Florida State game. I used 2 lbs. of ground beef and added a can of canillini beans and a can of chunky fire roasted tomatoes to make enough for a crowd. It was the best chili ever! Everyone loved it. Some like it hot so I offered pepper jack cheese to put on top for those folks. Thanks Stacey, DELICIOUS!
Stacey says
This comment just made my day! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it so much!!
Bill says
My turn for the monthly poker party, so I made your chili. Added I/2 more of everything for 6 guys and served with Beer and Mexican cornbread. They ate every bit of it and all said it was the best chili they ever had. Chopped up and added some jalapeño’s but other that, I followed your recipe.
Made it around noon and served at nine with sour cream and cheddar cheese. It was awesome.
Stacey says
Awesome, Bill! That’s quite the compliment!
oliver blackwell says
could i substitute 1lb of venison and 1lb of ground pork and brown the two then use this recipie.
Stacey says
Absolutely!
Anita says
This is our new chili. It was wonderful, I used venison for the stew meat but I browned it before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. I doubled the beef broth just because we don’t like our chili thick. if you are serving more than 4-5 I would double the recipe. The ranch does give it a wonderful flavor.
Stacey says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Ireisha K says
OMG! I just made this for tonight’s dinner and it was DELICIOUS! It’s super easy and yummy it was my first time making homemade chili and my family absolutely loved it I’m making it a staple in my house Thank you so much.
Stacey says
Yay! I’m just tickled y’all enjoyed it so much!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Stacey! I found a recipe (which I tweeked) for a turkey, pinto bean and chipotle chili that I made last night along with chipotle corn muffins – OMG is it good! I used smoked turkey legs. I think I’m a “chili junkie”!
Stacey says
Yum!
Tracy says
Love this chili! It is definitely a staple at my home during the fall and winter. There’s a nip in the air here CO, so it’s what’s for dinner tonight! Thanks for sharing!
Stacey says
Love hearing that! Folks are always so surprised by the flavor. 🙂
Aileen says
I do love my Texas chili which is spicy, no veggies, tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes and no beans. However, some Texans do add beans (I do sometimes) but we use pinto beans here. But I am going to make your chili because it sounds awesome and I’ve made some of your recipes and love them all. Except I will use tomato sauce instead of the diced because my hubby doesn’t like chunky tomatoes in his food even if they are small. And I will sub the kidney beans for pintos but will otherwise follow your recipe. Thank you and I will report back! 🙂
Stacey says
Hope you’ll enjoy! I often use crushed tomatoes in recipes of the exact same reason. 🙂
Aileen says
I made it last night, Stacey! Other than using pintos instead of kidney beans and subbing tomato sauce for the tomato chunks I followed your recipe. We all loved it, it’s a keeper! Thank you!
Stacey says
Awesome! Love hearing that!!
Mary says
Made it last night and the fam bam loved it!!! Thank you!!!!
Stacey says
So glad to year y’all enjoyed it!!
Charles says
Can you substitute ground chicken and cubed chicken?
Stacey says
I don’t see why not! Enjoy!