A homemade hearty crock pot chili that's chunky and loaded with beans, vegetables, beef stew meat, AND kielbasa. Savory, tangy, salty, and spicy with a unique twist - cinnamon and cocoa powder! You've got to try this easy, comforting, and delicious slow cooker recipe - ready to make it?
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Best Homemade Beef Chili in Slow Cooker!
Chunky and Hearty! My favorite thing about this crock pot chili (besides the fabulous flavor) is that it's so chunky, loaded with beans, veggies, and protein from the beans, beef stew meat, AND kielbasa sausage!
Flavorful with a Twist. From fire-roasted tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cocoa powder, you'll be addicted to the savory, salty, tangy combination of flavors! Make it spicier by adding red pepper flakes, and don't forget to top it with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Crock Pot Convenience. It's easy to prep ahead of time, then set it and forget it till you get home after a long day! All the ingredients go in, except the beans, bell peppers, and sausage. Add 30 minutes before serving to heat, and enjoy!
Beef Chili Crock Pot Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this crock pot chili:
- Beef Stew Meat
- Smoked Beef Kielbasa
- Canned Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic: I used canned fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic, but plain are fine too! The fire-roasted adds such a nice flavor!
- Canned Tomato Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Canned Red Kidney Beans
- Vegetables: onion, celery, green bell pepper.
- Seasonings: chili powder, ground cumin, cocoa powder (yes, chocolate), sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, ground black pepper.
- Herbs: dried oregano leaves
- Garnish: shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
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Substitutions and Variations
- Use cooked lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey instead of beef stew meat.
- Make it low carb and keto by omitting the beans and using a sugar substitute.
- Use turkey kielbasa instead of smoked beef kielbasa.
- Use any other bean variety you would like to, such as pinto beans or black beans, or use a combination of any.
- Adjust the amount of spice in the recipe by increasing the cayenne pepper or adding fresh diced jalapeno.
- Use any onion variety in this recipe.
- Substitute regular diced tomatoes for fire-roasted if you prefer.
- Add other vegetables such as corn, diced zucchini, or sliced carrot.
- Add a little beef broth to your crockpot to thin it out if needed.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chili
This is intended as an overview only. For detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below. Enjoy!
1. Brown the sliced kielbasa in a skillet or crockpot (if it has browning capability). Remove, let cool, and store in fridge.
2. Add all ingredients except sausage and bell pepper to the slow cooker. Stir.
3. Cover and cook on low until the beef is tender.
4. Add kielbasa with juices and bell pepper. Continue slow cooking until the pepper is soft.
How to Serve Hearty Crockpot Chili
Keep it easy and ladle it right out of the crockpot, then top it with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onion, or crackers.
Serve with your favorite warm crusty bread, cornbread, or garlic bread.
Meal idea! Pair your chili with a small fresh side salad and this crockpot cornbread recipe. Make chili mac by adding cooked noodles to the chili, or just serve the chili over the top of the noodles.
Chili in Slow Cooker Recipe Tips
- The chocolate and cinnamon give this crock pot chili flavor and depth - don't be afraid to use it!
- Browning the kielbasa before adding it adds even more flavor. If you are in a hurry, you can skip this step.
- You can cook the chili on high if you need it done sooner. Cook until the beef is tender, and then do the finishing steps.
Crock Pot Chili FAQ's
Once cooled, transfer to an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
From the fridge: transfer the amount of crock pot chili you want to reheat in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue to cook in 30-second increments until your desired temperature.
From the freezer: pull the container from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours. You can then follow instructions to reheat from the fridge.
Once cooled, freeze your chili in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Adding different layers of flavor, seasonings, and herbs will elevate a traditional chili. Multiple proteins, bean variety, fire-roasted tomatoes, spices, seasonings, and herbs, and kick it up a notch by adding cinnamon and cocoa powder for extra depth of flavor!
Ideally, you want to cook your chili until your meat is cooked through and tender. If you overcook the chili, it will result in drier meat that's tough to chew. Depending upon the crockpot (some run very hot even on low) and meat used, you shouldn't need to cook the chili longer than 8 hours.
If you are using ground meat, you do need to cook it beforehand. For other meats, you do not have to brown your meat before adding it to the crockpot. However, if you sear it to brown it before adding, it will add flavor and seal in the extra juices for a more tender piece of meat.
If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get easy delicious crockpot recipe ideas every week!
📖 The recipe.
Hearty Beef Chili Recipe (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 ounces smoked beef kielbasa (sliced ½" thick)
- 1½ pounds beef stew meat
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (cut into ½" pieces)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 (15 -ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with garlic
- 1 (15 -ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus extra to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (plus extra to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (this is mild - add more to your spice level)
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
- optional for serving: shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat or a crockpot with a browning function, brown the sausage slices on both sides. Remove the sausage and juices from the pan, let cool then refrigerate until ready.
- Add all ingredients to a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, except sausage and bell pepper. Stir.
- Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or until the beef is tender.
- Add the browned kielbasa (along with any juices) and bell pepper. Cover and continue to cook for 30 minutes or until peppers are the desired tenderness and sausage is warmed through.
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Ground chicken or turkey may be used; turkey kielbasa may be substituted as well; any favorite bean or combination may be used; increase the amount of cayenne pepper used to your spice level.
- TOP TIPS: The chocolate and cinnamon will give this chili depth - do not be afraid to use it. Browning the kielbasa will add more flavor to the chili, but if you're in a hurry or forgot - skip this step.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a side of cornbread and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions.
Nutrition
© 2025 Slow Cooked Eats
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