This Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne is SO easy to make as there is no need to brown the meat first. We have even hidden 3 different vegetables in there too. Slow cooker chilli is a family favourite comfort food, that is good for picky eaters too.
About this Slow Cooker Chilli
Making chilli con carne in the slow cooker couldn't be easier. There is NO browning needed - you just dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker (included some shredded vegetables) and leave it to cook low and slow.
This is a huge family favourite in our house, so we have tested is many, many times. The kids love it with rice and tortilla chips and we all love leftovers on a baked potato the next day.
Slow cooker chilli is great for entertaining too, as you can make a big batch and then just leave it.
Looking for more beef mince recipes? Why not try our delicious Creamy Beef Pasta, quick 10 Minute Sticky Ginger Beef, comforting Slow Cooker Bolognese or our super juicy Air Fryer Burgers?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Beef - We used less than 5% fat beef mince. This keeps it lean, as fat won't cook off like it would cooking this in a pan. You can use any beef mince though.
- Onion - To save yourself some time you can use frozen diced onion.
- Vegetables - We love any opportunity to hide some extra vegetables in our meal and this slow cooker chilli con carne recipe is the perfect opportunity for that. We added grated carrot, courgette and mushrooms and cooking them low and slow means they are so soft and hidden amongst the meat. You could leave it out if you wanted to keep it more traditional.
- Garlic - You can use frozen to save time.
- Canned tomatoes - Try to use a good quality brand, as cheaper ones can be quite watery.
- Kidney beans
- Beef stock - We used a good quality stock pot, and added two of them to give it a really rich flavour.
- Dark chocolate - This is our "secret" (not so secret) ingredient for our slow cooker chilli recipe. TRUST US on this! It might seem weird, but it adds an incredible richness and using dark chocolate means it doesn't add sweetness.
- Spices - The classic chilli con carne flavours or paprika, cumin, chilli powder and a generous amount of Worcestershire sauce.
Variations
Vegetables - We have shredded 3 different vegetables into this, but there are some other options too. You can dice some bell peppers and add those at the same time as all the other ingredients.
To give it a green veggie boost, chop some spinach up and stir it in 30 minutes before it's ready.
Spice - We haven't made this particularly spicy, as we were serving it to the kids. However, if you wanted to make it spicier, we would recommend adding a teaspoon of chipotle paste or some chopped jalapenos.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne - Step by Step
- Step 1: Add the beef mince to the slow cooker and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Step 2: Add the onion, mushrooms, carrot and courgette (zucchini) to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, kidney beans, garlic, spices, Worcestershire sauce and chocolate.
- Step 4: Make the stock with the stock pots and water. Add it to the slow cooker and give everything a good mix.
- Step 5: Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Step 6: Serve on rice and top with sour cream, avocado, fresh tomatoes, spring onions (scallions) and coriander (all optional).
Serving Suggestions
The great thing about slow cooked chilli con carne is that there are SO many ways to serve it. We have served ours with rice and an avocado salsa. With tortilla chips on the side of course.
When it comes to rice we have got you covered. Try our perfect Microwave Rice, Oven Cooked Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.
You need some tortilla chips to scoop up all that amazing chilli with. Why not try making them yourself with our Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.
If you are serving this up to a crowd, then as well as tortilla chips, have some grated cheese, salsa, chillies, guacamole, sour cream and pickled red onions, so everyone can build there own bowl.
We always make sure that we have some leftover for the next day, as it makes an epic nacho topping or on top of Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes. Also, stir some into Mac and Cheese. AMAZING! Oh, or make a spicy lasagna with it. See, SO many uses.
Storage
Store: Chilli in the slow cooker is great for batch cooking, so always make more than you think you need. Any leftovers will store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Make sure it has totally cooled and the transfer into a freezable container (freezer bags mean you can lay them flat and save space). It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: Make sure to defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: You can reheat this in the microwave or on the hob. Just make sure it is piping hot before serving.
Extra Tips
- If you have used beef with a higher fat content than we have, then you may end up with a lot more liquid in your slow cooker. You can just drain it off.
- If you are able to, then stir the chilli twice during cooking, as this will help the meat to break up. You don't have to though.
- Give a richer flavour to this chilli by swapping some of the stock for red wine.
- You can use cocoa powder instead of dark chocolate if you prefer. Just make sure it is unsweetened.
- If your chilli is too thin, you can remove the lid and carry on cooking for 30 minutes to let some of the liquid evaporate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you want to make an on the hob version of this, then follow our Easy Chilli Con Carne recipe.
Yes, this is a perfect dump bag recipe. Simply dump all the ingredients into a large freezer bag and then freeze until you will need it. Defrost in the fridge overnight and then pour it into the slow cooker and cook.
You can do, and it does add a depth of flavour to the dish, but we wanted this slow cooked chilli to be as easy easy possible so we skipped that step. We have made sure the other ingredients make up for it.
We use a Crock Pot DuraCeramic Slow Cooker and we love it. What I love most about it is that you can put the bowl insert on the hob too. So, we thicken gravy on the hob, in the slow cooker bowl. You can also sear the meat in it first. I also love that it has a clear lid, as I am so impatient that I want to keep looking and seeing what it is doing. If you don't have a clear lid, then lifting it to see will release lots of the heat and add to the cooking time.
More Mexican Recipes
If you’ve tried this slow cooked chilli con carne recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne (with Hidden Veg)
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Beef mince
- 1 Onion - diced
- 1 Courgette (zucchini) - grated
- 2 Carrots - grated
- 200 g (7 oz) Mushrooms - grated
- 2 Garlic cloves - crushed
- 400 g (14 oz) Chopped tomatoes - canned
- 400 g (14 oz) Kidney beans - canned; drained
- 4 tablespoon Tomato puree
- 2 Beef stock pot
- 100 ml (0.5 cups) Boiled water
- 10 g (0.33 oz) Chocolate - dark; grated
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Add 500 g Beef mince to the slow cooker and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Add 1 Onion, 200 g Mushrooms, 2 Carrots and 1 Courgette (zucchini) to the slow cooker.
- Add 400 g Chopped tomatoes, 4 tablespoon Tomato puree, 400 g Kidney beans, 2 Garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon Paprika, 1 pinch Sea salt, 1 pinch Ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Cumin, 1 teaspoon Chilli powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and 10 g Chocolate.
- Make the stock with 2 Beef stock pot and 100 ml Boiled water. Add it to the slow cooker and give everything a good mix.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Serve on rice and top with sour cream, avocado, fresh tomatoes, spring onions (scallions) and coriander (all optional).
Recipe Tips
- If you have used beef with a higher fat content than we have, then you may end up with a lot more liquid in your slow cooker. You can just drain it off.
- If you are able to, then stir the chilli twice during cooking, as this will help the meat to break up. You don't have to though.
- Give a richer flavour to this chilli by swapping some of the stock for red wine.
- You can use cocoa powder instead of dark chocolate if you prefer. Just make sure it is unsweetened.
- If your chilli is too thin, you can remove the lid and carry on cooking for 30 minutes to let some of the liquid evaporate.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kathy says
What ingredient in the US would be the equivalent of a beef stock pot? Does anyone have a suggestion?
Dannii Martin says
You can use beef broth or a stock cube.
Beth says
This is one of the best chili recipes I've ever made. It has such a delicious flavor, and it was super easy to make!
Karlie says
We love a hidden veg recipe! I made this with impossible ground beef and it was such a hit with the family.
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this chilli con carne for dinner last night and it was delicious! And I loved how easy the slow cooker made it
Mahy says
I've never tried this dish in a slow cooker before. Thank you for sharing your secrets!
Kathleen says
I am loving all the flavors in this simple and delicious chili con carne.