Your quest for a simple, healthy, slow cooker chili recipe is over! This slow cooker chili is hearty and full of flavor! Perfect for game day, busy weeknights, Super Bowl parties, or when you are craving comfort food on a cold day.
My dad is a phenomenal cook, but he never uses recipes. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with him shortly before my wedding, trying to get him to help write down some of his recipes on 3×4 index cards. I wanted my food to taste just like his!
My dad’s chili is one of the first meals I wanted to cook after my husband and I tied the knot. (A long, long time ago before Pinterest and the WWW!) Unfortunately, I didn’t have my dad’s recipe in my tiny stack of index cards. But, I had watched him make it a million times, so although I didn’t have the exact measurements, I kind of knew what to do. And, I think I called him every 5 minutes! It’s been one of our favorite meals since then.
The recipe evolved into this slow cooker version several years ago. It makes getting dinner on the table much easier on crazy weeknights.
You can chop the veggies, and cook the ground beef on your meal prep day. Then everything will be ready to dump in your slow cooker during the week.
I always double the recipe. It’s perfect for a crowd on game day, and it also freezes well. We like to have the leftovers the next day on baked potatoes. YUMMY!

Simple Healthy Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 28 oz can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15 1/2 oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional toppings: sour cream, cheese, green onion, cilantro
Instructions
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Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat stirring occasionally until beef is brown. Drain ground beef mixture and add to slow cooker.
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Stir in remaining ingredients, (excluding optional toppings) cover, and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
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Serve with favorite toppings!
Recipe Notes
We recommend using organic products when possible.
Need some more game day ideas? Try these recipes for Tomatillo Salsa and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers. Delish!
Jill Gentry says
This looks delicious – I’m curious how the cocoa powder fits in and can’t wait to try it!! Thanks for sharing!!
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
The cocoa powder gives it a depth of flavor and adds to the richness. Hope you like it!
Heather Ray says
Looks yummy!! Would you add anything else if I don’t add the meat? Or do you think it would be fine as it is without the meat?
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Great question! I have a vegetarian recipe that I will be posting soon. It is very similar but I add a can of black beans, celery, corn, and sometimes carrots.
Kelly says
Tammy thank you for coming home and making this delicious chili! I was even lucky to freeze some for my husband. It was absolutely delicious! Definitely making some this winter !
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Thanks Kelly! Glad you liked it! xoxo