Chili with Bell Peppers
This post may contain affiliate links.
This slow cooker chili with bell peppers recipe is so easy. Once the ground beef is browned and drained of grease, you can literally just throw everything in your slow cooker as you open cans or dice vegetables.
When you are finished getting everything in the pot, just put the lid on, turn it on, and walk away. Several hours later, you will have delicious chili!
Slow cooker chili is an easy dinner any time of the week. For another great chili, try this Slow Cooker Pork Chili from my friend, Christine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Slow cooker convenience makes this a perfect meal for busy days
- Rich flavors from beef broth, tomato paste, and a blend of spices
- Green bell peppers add a fresh flavor and slight crunch
- Easily customizable with ground turkey, ground chicken, or lean ground beef
- Great way to use pantry staples like red kidney beans and diced tomatoes
- Pairs perfectly with cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or green onions
- Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for later
- It’s fast and easy and the slow cooker makes it for you
- Letting this soup simmer in your slow cooker all day allows the delicious flavors to meld and deepen.
Ingredients for homemade chili
- Ground chuck. 90-10 or 85-15 ground beef will work best so that you don’t have excess fat. Be sure to drain the ground beef in a colander before adding it to your slow cooker.
- Large onion. Red or yellow onions will both work.
- Green bell pepper. If you can’t find a good green pepper, red peppers will work.
- Garlic powder. I like the simplicity of garlic powder, but you can also mince garlic cloves directly into your slow cooker if you prefer.
- Beef broth. Add less if you prefer a thick chili and more if you prefer a thinner chili. You can even leave it out entirely if you like.
- Light red kidney beans. You could also use black beans.
- Can of diced tomatoes. Petite diced are perfectly sized for a spoon!
- Tomato paste. Adds intensity of flavor.
- Chili powder. This gives chili its classic flavor but not much heat.
- Ground cumin. Also intrinsic to the classic slow cooker beef chili flavor.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste. You might not find it necessary at all.
Equipment and kitchen tools
- Skillet
- Colander
- Slow Cooker
How to make easy Crockpot chili
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, onion, and green pepper.
- Cook until the beef is completely browned.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a colander to drain well.
- Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve with desired toppings such as diced onion, shredded cheese, or sour cream.
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes
Tips for the Best Results
- Brown the ground beef, onions, and green peppers in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat before adding to the slow cooker for the best flavor
- Break up the ground beef thoroughly into bite-sized pieces or smaller so that it easily fits on a spoon.
- Adjust the beef broth amount based on how thick you like your chili
- Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking
- Taste and adjust the spice level with jalapeño peppers, red pepper flakes, or a couple of pinches of cayenne pepper
- If you prefer a sweeter chili, a little brown sugar balances the spice
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days or freeze for a future meal
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the ground chuck for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version
- Use black beans or pinto beans instead of kidney beans for variety
- Add Worcestershire sauce for an extra depth of flavor
- Stir in peanut butter for a secret ingredient that enhances the richness
- Mix in chopped red bell peppers for added color and sweetness
- If you prefer stove-top cooking, let the chili simmer over low heat for at least an hour
- A little vegetable oil can be used for sautéing if your meat is very lean
- Spice lovers can add extra chili powder, a splash of hot sauce, or a pinch of chili con carne seasoning
FAQs
Yes, cook it in a Dutch oven or large pot on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least an hour.
Yes. The ground beef is cooked before you begin, so you just need all of the vegetables to cook through and the flavors to meld. Four hours on high would work perfectly fine. If you have even less time than that, consider using the stovetop
Yes. Brown the ground beef directly in the pot, add the remaining ingredients except for the beans, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Release the pressure and stir in the beans. Allow the beans to cook through and then serve.
Reduce the beef broth amount, let the chili simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or mash some of the beans to create a thicker texture.
Some favorite toppings include cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced green onions, raw onions, corn chips, and jalapeño peppers.
Yes, a little bit of bow tie pasta or another small pasta shape can be added toward the end of cooking for a heartier meal.
The spice level can be adjusted by adding some cayenne pepper, jalapeño peppers, and extra chili powder.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for up to three months.
Slow cooker beef chili pairs really well with cornbread or breadsticks. You could also serve it with or on baked potatoes, french fries, or sweet potato fries.
Grilled cheese or cheese quesadillas are both neutral sandwiches that complement the intense flavors of chili. Crunchy onion rings or coleslaw are both a nice contrast.
More Easy Chili Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe Crock pot
Ingredients
- 2.25 pounds ground chuck
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 to 4 cups beef broth depending on desired thickness
- 2 15 ounce cans light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, onion, and green pepper. Cook until the beef is completely browned. Transfer the meat mixture to a colander to drain well.
- Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve with desired toppings: diced onion, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream.
Nutrition
We hope you loved this easy canned beans chili recipe. For more easy dinner recipes, subscribe to my newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share a few things that I don’t share here and I email you only once a week. I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously!
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on Organized Island, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! To see what I am up to, check out my stories on Instagram and let me know you are following. It would bring me much joy!
Want to streamline your weekly meals? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning book on Amazon.
I always think I don’t get cravings and then I see something like this and I’m like, “BING. I need chili!”
Good reminder to use my crck pot on busy days when no time to cook!
Thanks for sharing a yummy recipe for the slow cooker to try out. I am adding chili to my menu for next month now. #HomeMattersParty