Brendan's Crockpot Chili

Brendan’s Crockpot Chili: Easy, Flavorful, and Crowd-Pleasing

As the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, hearty bowl of chili. Today, I’m excited to introduce Brendan’s Crockpot Chili—a recipe that combines traditional flavors with my unique twist to create the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Brendan's Crockpot Chili
Brendan’s Crockpot Chili

Whether you’re gearing up for game day, hosting friends and family, or simply craving a satisfying, home-cooked meal, this chili delivers. It’s loaded with savory spices, tender ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and secret ingredients that take the flavor to the next level. Best of all, it’s prepared in a slow cooker, so you can set it, forget it, and let your house fill with the irresistible aroma of simmering chili.

Stay tuned for the full recipe, tips for making it your own, and my favorite toppings to pair with this dish. Spoiler alert: it’s perfect for a cozy night in or to impress guests at your next gathering!

What makes Brendan’s Crockpot Chili unique?

  • Easy prep and minimal hands-on cooking.
  • A balanced mix of heat, sweetness, and smokiness.
  • Simple pantry staples with a few surprise elements to make it unforgettable.

Get ready to grab your crockpot, and let’s bring some warmth and flavor to your table. The recipe is coming right up!

Recipe

9aaed3fb1acb90e2426175fccd17bd95?s=96&d=mm&r=gAuthorBrendan McDowellDifficultyBeginner

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time15 minsCook Time2 hrsTotal Time2 hrs 15 mins

 1 lb Ground Beef
 1 lb Italian Sausage
 1 Medium Yellow Onion
 1 Red Bell Pepper Chopped & Seeded
 4 Garlic Cloves - Minced
 30 oz Kidney Beans Drained & Rinsed
 15 oz Pinto Beans Drained & Rinsed
 6 oz Tomato Paste
 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
 1 cup Beef Broth
 2 tsp Hot Sauce
 2 tbsp Chili Powder
 1 tsp Ground Cumin
 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
 ¼ tsp Cayenne
 ½ tsp Salt
 ½ tsp Pepper
 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
 9 oz Tomato Sauce
 ½ cup Sour Cream

1

Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until mostly cooked. A little pink is fine.

2

Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent.

3

Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker.

4

Add the kidney and pinto beans.

5

Top with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce.

6

Add the seasonings (chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper and sugar).

7

Pour tomato sauce over the top and stir to combine.

8

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, stirring every 30 min.

9

After one hour, mix in the sour cream.

10

Serve with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, cornbread. etc.

Ingredients

 1 lb Ground Beef
 1 lb Italian Sausage
 1 Medium Yellow Onion
 1 Red Bell Pepper Chopped & Seeded
 4 Garlic Cloves - Minced
 30 oz Kidney Beans Drained & Rinsed
 15 oz Pinto Beans Drained & Rinsed
 6 oz Tomato Paste
 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
 1 cup Beef Broth
 2 tsp Hot Sauce
 2 tbsp Chili Powder
 1 tsp Ground Cumin
 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
 ¼ tsp Cayenne
 ½ tsp Salt
 ½ tsp Pepper
 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
 9 oz Tomato Sauce
 ½ cup Sour Cream

Directions

1

Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until mostly cooked. A little pink is fine.

2

Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent.

3

Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker.

4

Add the kidney and pinto beans.

5

Top with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce.

6

Add the seasonings (chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper and sugar).

7

Pour tomato sauce over the top and stir to combine.

8

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, stirring every 30 min.

9

After one hour, mix in the sour cream.

10

Serve with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, cornbread. etc.

Notes

Brendan’s Crockpot Chili

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