Can I use a different type of bean in this chilli?

Yes, you can substitute other beans such as black beans, borlotti beans, or mixed beans. The key is using cans that come in chilli sauce rather than plain brine, as this adds flavour. Keep the total weight around 850 g (30 oz) across the two cans

How can I make this chilli less spicy?

Reduce or omit the jalapeño pepper entirely, and cut the cayenne pepper to 0.25 teaspoon or leave it out completely. You can still get great flavour from the chilli powder and smoked paprika without the extra heat

Can I prepare this chilli ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare all the ingredients the night before: chop the vegetables, brown the beef and bacon, and store them separately in the fridge. In the morning, simply transfer everything to the slow cooker, add the liquids and spices, and cook as directed. You can also make the chilli fully and freeze it in portions for up to three months

What if my chilli is too watery?

If your chilli is thinner than desired after cooking, you can thicken it by mixing 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of cornflour with 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of cold water to make a slurry, then stirring it into the chilli. Cook uncovered on High for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired consistency

Crockpot Chili Recipe - Award Winning Chili Recipe | Potluck Recipes | Cooking Up Love

by Cooking Up Love

Beef

Published 28 April 2026Original video

This award-winning crockpot chili is a crowd-pleaser that combines tender ground beef, hearty beans, and sautéed vegetables with a perfectly balanced spice blend. The recipe calls for simmering on low for six hours, allowing all the flavours to meld beautifully into a thick, rich chilli. It's ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or meal prep, and comes with a build-your-own toppings bar so each guest can customise their bowl. The secret lies in the smoky bacon base and the carefully measured spice blend that gives this chilli its award-winning depth

Video thumbnail: Crockpot Chili Recipe - Award Winning Chili Recipe | Potluck Recipes | Cooking Up Love

Watch: Crockpot Chili Recipe - Award Winning Chili Recipe | Potluck Recipes | Cooking Up Love

Original recipe video — click to play

Original video by Cooking Up Love27k likes on YouTube

25 mins

Prep time

6 hrs

Slow cook (Low)

4 hrs

Slow cook (High)

Serves

6 hrs 25 mins

Total (Low)

Slow cooker setting:Low 6 hours or High 4 hours

Original method: 6 hours on low in slow cooker

Ingredients

Servings:

Units:

Base

5 slices thick-sliced, hardwood hickory smoked bacon
Provides smoky flavour and grease for sautéing vegetables

Vegetables

1 medium red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, roughly chopped
3 stalks celery stalks, chopped
1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
¾ medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, membrane removed, finely diced(optional)
Use 0.5 to 1 jalapeño depending on desired spice level

Meat

900 g ground beef
Brown in skillet before adding to slow cooker

Liquids & Stock

295 ml beef consommé, 1 can
Beef stock can be used as a substitute

Tomatoes & Sauce

170 g tomato paste
, 1 can
850 g diced tomatoes
, undrained, 2 cans

Beans

425 g pinto beans in mild or medium chilli sauce, 1 can
Also called Chilli Beans
425 g kidney beans in mild chilli sauce, 1 can

Seasonings & Spices

60 ml chilli powder
15 ml dried oregano
15 ml white sugar
Balances the acidity of the tomatoes
10 ml cumin
5 ml smoked paprika
15 ml garlic powder
5 ml dried basil
5 ml Lawry's seasoned salt
3 ml ground black pepper
3 ml cayenne pepper(optional)
Adjust to taste for extra heat
15 ml Worcestershire sauce

Toppings (Optional)

to taste sour cream(optional)
Add when serving
For chilli fixing bar
to taste fresh cilantro
, chopped(optional)
Add when serving
For chilli fixing bar
to taste mature cheddar cheese, grated(optional)
Add when serving
For chilli fixing bar
to taste diced onion, finely diced(optional)
Add when serving
For chilli fixing bar
to taste jalapeño slices(optional)
Add when serving
For chilli fixing bar
to taste cornbread(optional)
Serve alongside
For chilli fixing bar
to taste Fritos corn chips(optional)
Serve alongside
For chilli fixing bar

Method

1
Prepare the vegetables: roughly chop the red and green peppers and celery. Seed the jalapeño pepper(s), removing the seeds and membrane, then finely dice. Adjust quantity based on desired spice level. Peel and dice the small yellow onion.
~10 mins
2
Cook the bacon slices in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until lightly crisp but not overdone, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, roughly chop.
~7 mins
Tip: Reserve the bacon grease for sautéing vegetables
3
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, sauté the chopped peppers, celery, onion, and diced jalapeño for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
~5 mins
Tip: This builds flavour; drain as much bacon grease from vegetables as possible before transferring to the slow cooker
4
Brown the ground beef in the same skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 8–10 minutes. Drain off excess fat if necessary.
~10 mins
Tip: Browning the beef adds depth of flavour to the finished chilli
5
Transfer the sautéed vegetables and browned ground beef to your slow cooker. Add the chopped cooked bacon.
~3 mins
6
Add the beef consommé, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes with their liquid, pinto beans in chilli sauce, and kidney beans in chilli sauce to the slow cooker.
~5 mins
7
In a small bowl, combine all the dry spices: chilli powder, dried oregano, white sugar, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried basil, Lawry's seasoned salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir this spice mixture into the slow cooker and mix well.
~3 mins
Tip: Combining the spices first helps distribute them evenly throughout the chilli
8
Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 6 hours, or on High for 4 hours. The chilli should be thick and flavourful.
~6 hrs
Tip: Stir occasionally if convenient, especially in the final hour
9
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve the chilli in bowls and set out the toppings bar with sour cream, fresh cilantro, grated cheese, diced onions, jalapeño slices, cornbread, and Fritos so guests can customise their own bowls.
~5 mins
Tip: This chilli freezes well for up to three months

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional information is coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, you can substitute other beans such as black beans, borlotti beans, or mixed beans. The key is using cans that come in chilli sauce rather than plain brine, as this adds flavour. Keep the total weight around 850 g (30 oz) across the two cans

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