Award-Winning Crockpot Chili Recipe: Easy Cook-Off Champion
This Award-Winning Crockpot Chili is everything you want in a hearty, comforting meal: rich, bold flavors, a hint of smoky spice, and a set-it-and-forget-it cooking method. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, entering a chili cook-off, or prepping meals for the week, this recipe delivers big on taste with minimal effort.
Trust me, I’ve streamlined every step. Traditional chili can take hours of hands-on cooking, but with this easy slow cooker chili, your crockpot does all the heavy lifting. You’ll sauté some veggies and brown your proteins, then let the slow cooker transform it all into a flavor-packed masterpiece while you focus on everything else life throws your way.
Why This Award-Winning Crockpot Chili Is a Game-Changer
- Hands-off cooking: After a quick initial prep, your slow cooker takes care of the rest.
- Big-batch friendly: Makes 10 generous servings, perfect for meal prep or freezing.
- Cook-off caliber flavor: Layered spices and two types of meat ensure this chili stands out.
- Customizable spice level: Tailor the heat to your liking with jalapeños and cayenne.
- Time-saving shortcuts: Pre-diced veggies and canned beans cut prep time in half.
Equipment You’ll Need for the Best Chili
Your trusty slow cooker is the real MVP here. I recommend a 6-quart model to accommodate the full recipe—it’ll be filled to the brim by the end, but that just means more chili to enjoy! If you don’t already have one, a budget-friendly slow cooker with programmable settings works perfectly. Look for features like “Low” for the long cook time and a “Warm” setting to keep your chili ready to serve.
Don’t forget a sturdy skillet for browning the beef, turkey sausage, and veggies. A large wooden spoon or silicone spatula works great for stirring everything together before adding it to the crockpot.
Simple Ingredients for This Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
This chili might taste gourmet, but it relies on humble, easy-to-find ingredients. Here are a few standouts:
- Beef bacon: Adds smoky richness you won’t get from regular bacon. Swap for turkey bacon if needed.
- Ground beef and turkey sausage: The combination of two proteins provides flavor depth and texture. Hot sausage is great for more spice!
- Chili beans: Using canned beans in chili sauce cuts way down on prep time without compromising flavor.
- Tomato paste: This ingredient is small but mighty, creating a concentrated, robust tomato base that’s key for award-winning chili.
Award-Winning Crockpot Chili Recipe Details
- Servings: 10 large servings
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Equipment: Slow cooker, skillet
Ingredients for Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
- 5 slices beef bacon, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery (about 2 stalks)
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (1 small onion)
- 1 small jalapeño, optional, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 48 ounces chili beans in sauce (3×16-ounce cans)
- 56 ounces petite diced tomatoes in liquid (2×28-ounce cans)
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 pound turkey sausage, mild or hot
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- Toppings of choice (see Notes below)
How to Make Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
- Cook the beef bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped beef bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and leave the grease in the skillet for added flavor.
- Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers, celery, onion, jalapeño, and garlic over medium heat for 5–8 minutes, until softened.
- Add the spices: Stir in the seasonings and tomato paste. Cook for 1–3 minutes until fragrant, then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
- Assemble the chili base: Add the chili beans (liquid included), diced tomatoes (with liquid), sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled bouillon cubes to the slow cooker.
- Brown the meat: Use the skillet on high heat to brown the ground beef and turkey sausage in batches to ensure even searing. Drain excess fat, then add the meat to the slow cooker along with the bacon.
- Cook low and slow: Stir everything in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours. The flavors meld beautifully while you go about your day.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, Cheddar cheese, and cilantro.
Jake’s Tips for the Best Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
- Don’t rush the browning: Searing the meat properly adds flavor you can’t get from slow cooking alone.
- Customize the spice: Leave out the cayenne and jalapeño for a kid-friendly version, or double up for heat lovers.
- Freeze for later: Portion leftovers into airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months—perfect for quick dinners.
- Prep ahead: Chop veggies the night before and store them in the fridge to get everything into the slow cooker faster.
- Layer the flavors: Adding Worcestershire sauce and beef bouillon brings out that umami richness everyone loves in chili.
FAQ: Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! You can swap the ground beef for turkey or even try a mix of turkey and chicken sausage for a lighter twist on this easy slow cooker chili.
How can I make this less spicy?
For a milder version, omit the jalapeño and cayenne pepper. You can also use a sweet bell pepper instead of green for a more subtle flavor.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover chili?
Reheat your chili on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave individual portions for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
You can! Use the sauté function for the veggies and meat, then cook on the “Chili” setting for 30 minutes followed by a natural pressure release.
Transform dinnertime with this Easy Crockpot Chili recipe! This deliciously healthy chili features only 5 ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your results in the comments below.
Award-Winning Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the beef bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped beef bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and leave the grease in the skillet for added flavor.
- Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers, celery, onion, jalapeño, and garlic over medium heat for 5–8 minutes, until softened.
- Add the spices: Stir in the seasonings and tomato paste. Cook for 1–3 minutes until fragrant, then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
- Assemble the chili base: Add the chili beans (liquid included), diced tomatoes (with liquid), sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled bouillon cubes to the slow cooker.
- Brown the meat: Use the skillet on high heat to brown the ground beef and turkey sausage in batches to ensure even searing. Drain excess fat, then add the meat to the slow cooker along with the bacon.
- Cook low and slow: Stir everything in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours. The flavors meld beautifully while you go about your day.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, Cheddar cheese, and cilantro.
Notes
Written by Jake
Hi, I’m Jake — the home cook behind Kitchen Shortcuts. I create easy crockpot meals and slow cooker recipes designed for busy families who want flavorful home-cooked food with less effort.
