Hearty Beef Chili

If you're searching for a Hearty Beef Chili recipe that satisfies every craving, this easy homemade classic is exactly what you need. Packed with bold flavor from simple pantry staples and tender ground beef, it delivers cozy comfort for any occasion. On busy weeknights, it requires minimal prep and practically cooks itself, giving you more time to focus on the rest of your day while dinner simmers. On colder evenings or during meal prep for the week ahead, it warms the kitchen and fills bowls with satisfying, rich flavor.

This chili also shines when you're hosting or serving a crowd. Whether it's Football Sunday, the Super Bowl, or a casual gathering with friends and family, it scales effortlessly and always impresses. The rich aroma draws everyone in, making it impossible to wait until the first bite. From casual weekends to holiday game days, this chili consistently delivers crowd-pleasing flavor without added stress.

With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it comes together quickly while still tasting like a slow-cooked classic. Hearty ground beef, just the right spices, and bold, comforting flavor make each bowl satisfying and memorable. Even before it finishes simmering, everyone is already checking the pot because the aroma is that irresistible.

In the end, this recipe has become a go-to in our home. It handles busy nights, feeds hungry crowds, and transforms ordinary meals into cozy, memorable experiences. Easy, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable, this Hearty Beef Chili is the perfect solution when you want a low-effort, high-reward dinner that everyone will love. (Pro tip: Pair with our Moist Jiffy Cornbread Muffin recipe!)

Ingredients

• Canned dark red kidney beans
• Canned light red kidney beans
• Canned black beans
• Canned sweet corn, drained
• Canned diced green chilis
• Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
  • Note: pick the spice level based on your liking. We like Medium!
• Ground beef
• Butter
• Roasted Beef Flavored Better Than Bouillon
• Medium yellow onion, diced
• Minced garlic
• Taco seasoning
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Optional: Sour cream (topping/mix in)
• Optional: Shredded cheese (topping/mix in)
• Optional: Avocado (topping/mix in)
• Optional: Cholula (topping/mix in)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the black beans, dark red kidney beans, light red kidney beans, sweet corn (drained), diced green chilis, and Rotel into a large crockpot/slow cooker. Do not drain out the water in the cans of beans.

2. Step 2: Mince the garlic and dice the onions.

3. Step 3: In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant and softened. Set aside.

4. Step 4: In the same pan, brown the ground beef and add the taco seasoning, Roasted Beef Flavored Better Than Bouillon, cumin and paprika until fully combined.

5. Step 5: Dump all of the cooked ingredients (onions, garlic and ground beef) into the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients. Stir well so that the ingredients are combined.

6. Step 6: Set the slow cooker on the High setting for 4 hours. Serve and top with your favorite toppings or a side of cornbread (see our Moist Jiffy Cornbread Muffin recipe here!) and enjoy when finished!

Pro tip: If you need more liquid, mix ½ a can of water to the slow cooker. If you need more seasoning, add in 1-2 tablespoon of extra taco seasoning directly to the slow cooker and mix it in.

Substitutions

• Shredded or Ground Chicken - instead of ground beef, swap for with shredded or ground chicken!
  • Rotisserie chicken can go directly in the slow cooker. If it's pre-shredded, even better! If it's a full rotisserie chicken, pull the chicken apart before adding to the slow cooker.
  • Frozen/raw will need to be cooked and shredded before adding it to the slow cooker.
• Ground Turkey - instead of the ground beef, swap for ground turkey to have a leaner chili option that's packed with protein!

Variations

This chili is easy to customize, so it works perfectly for different tastes and spice levels. To get creative, try the simple variations below to adjust the flavor, whether you want to add a little extra heat or put your own twist on it.

• Spicier Chili:
  • Swap regular Rotel for Hot Rotel to instantly boost the heat without changing the flavor.
  • For a fresh, bright kick, add fresh jalapeños, diced and sautéed with the onions. Leave the seeds in for extra heat!
  • You can also stir in pickled jalapeños for a tangy kick that layers well with the chili spices.
  • For lingering heat, increase the chili powder slightly or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Kid friendly/Mild Chili:
  • Swap out for Mild Rotel instead of Medium Rotel.
  • Keep things even milder by using canned diced tomatoes instead of Rotel.
  • Additionally, you can eliminate the canned green chilies all together for even less spice.

Equipment

• Slow Cooker/Crockpot
• Frying Pan
• Cutting Board
• Chef's knife
• Can opener
• Measuring cups + spoons
• Spatula
• Laddle for serving

Storage

First, let the chili cool slightly, and then transfer it to an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to 3 months. When it's time to eat, reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the chili thickened while sitting.

FAQ

More Low-Prep, Quick Dinners:

Looking for more dinner ideas? Try these:

📖 Recipe

Hearty Beef Chili

Hannah Madsen

This easy, crowd-pleasing chili is a lifesaver on busy days! Made with pantry staples, hearty ground beef, a slight kick of spiciness, and all the flavor you crave. It's simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Whether you're feeding a hungry family, meal prepping for the week, or hosting a game day gathering, this slow-simmered homestyle chili is guaranteed to be a hit.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Servings 8

Equipment

• Slow Cooker/Crockpot 5-6 qt-sized. Half the recipe if using a smaller crockpot.
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Can Opener
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Spatula
• Laddle for serving the chili

Ingredients

  

• 2 15.5 oz. cans of dark red kidney beans don't drain
• 2 15.5 oz. can of light red kidney beans don't drain
• 1 15 oz. can of black beans don't drain
• 1 15.25 oz. can of sweet corn drained
• 1 7-oz. can of diced green chilis
• 1 Canned Rotel (Medium) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon Roasted Beef Flavored Better Than Bouillon
• ½ medium yellow onion diced
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 2 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Add the black beans, dark red kidney beans, light red kidney beans, sweet corn (drained), diced green chilis, and Rotel into a large crockpot/slow cooker. Do not drain out the water that is in the can.
• Step 2: Mince the garlic and dice the onions.
• Step 3: In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant and softened. Set aside.
• Step 4: In the same pan, brown the ground beef and add the taco seasoning, Roasted Beef Flavored Better Than Bouillon, cumin and paprika until fully combined.
• Step 5: Dump all of the cooked ingredients (onions, garlic and ground beef) into the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients. Stir well so that the ingredients are combined.
• Step 6: Set the slow cooker on the High setting for 4 hours. Serve and top with your favorite toppings and enjoy when finished!

Keyword beef chili, chili, family friendly, hearty beef chili, hosting, superbowl