Slow Cooker Chilli con Carne- A Cosy Family Favourite

There’s something about a big pot of chili bubbling away in the slow cooker that just feels like home. The smell drifts through the kitchen all day, the ingredients are simple, and by the time everyone’s hungry, dinner is ready and waiting. This is one of those recipes that ticks every box: easy, hearty, budget-friendly, and most importantly — delicious.

I love to make this on busy weekdays when we’re all coming and going, but it’s also perfect for weekends when you just want to let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy a slow day. Serve it with fluffy rice, top it with cheese or sour cream, and you’ve got a dinner that makes everyone happy.

🍲 Slow Cooker Chili con Carne (Serves 4–6)

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) beef mince
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bell peppers (any colour), diced
• 1–2 fresh chilies, finely chopped (optional, for heat)
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 x 400g tin kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 x 400g tin mixed beans (or black beans), drained and rinsed
• 250ml (1 cup) beef stock
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1–2 tsp chili powder (to taste)
• 1 tsp sugar (or 1 square dark chocolate for richness)
• Salt & black pepper
• Olive oil for browning

To Serve

• Steamed basmati or long-grain rice
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh coriander (optional)

Method

1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan. Brown the beef mince until no longer pink. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. In the same pan, sauté the onion, garlic, and peppers for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add to the slow cooker.
3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, both tins of beans, beef stock, sugar or chocolate, and all the spices. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix well, cover, and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
5. Just before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more chili powder if you like it spicier.
6. Serve hot with rice, cheese, and sour cream. Enjoy!

💡 Notes & Tips

• This chili tastes even better the next day — leftovers are perfect for lunches or nachos.
• If you like extra veg, add chopped carrots, courgettes, or sweetcorn into the slow cooker.
• Not a fan of beef? Try turkey mince or even go meat-free with extra beans and lentils.

Slow Cooker Chili con Carne

A cozy, hearty, family-friendly slow cooker chili con carne recipe — easy to make, full of flavour, and perfect served with rice.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g 1 lb beef mince
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 bell peppers diced
• 1 –2 fresh chilies finely chopped (optional)
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 x 400g tin kidney beans drained & rinsed
• 1 x 400g tin mixed beans or black beans, drained & rinsed
• 250 ml 1 cup beef stock
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 –2 tsp chili powder to taste
• 1 tsp sugar or 1 square dark chocolate
• Salt & black pepper
• Olive oil for browning
• Optional toppings:
• Steamed rice
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh coriander

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Frying Pan

Method

 

1. Heat oil in a pan. Brown the beef mince until no longer pink. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, and peppers for 3–4 minutes. Add to the slow cooker.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, both beans, beef stock, sugar (or chocolate), and all spices. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix well, cover, and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
6. Serve hot with rice, cheese, and sour cream.

Notes

Leftovers keep beautifully for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Add extra vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, or sweetcorn for more goodness.

Swap the beef mince for turkey or go vegetarian with lentils and extra beans.