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I’ve been making a version of this chili for over a decade now and it is one of my family’s favorites! Inspired by a recipe I originally found in a Cooking Light magazine, I love that it makes enough that we can enjoy it one night for dinner and put the leftovers in the freezer to eat another day. Double win-win! This Slowcooker Classic American Chili features ground round, a lean cut of beef, tomatoes, kidney beans and spices—and a secret ingredient of red wine. With all those ingredients, it’s a nutritious, protein-rich meal that is bursting with flavor! It really helps satisfy our hunger—perfect on cool fall or winter nights!
Slowcooker Classic American Chili (ad)
My version of Slowcooker Classic American Chili couldn’t be easier! Full of nutritious and healthier ingredients, it’s a family favorite!
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Servings: 10
Calories: 342kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground round 95% lean beef
- 1 pound turkey Italian sausage mild or hot depending on your preference
- 2 cups onion chopped
- 1 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup Merlot or other fruity red wine
- 28 ounces petite diced tomatoes
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces no-salt added kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 4 ounces reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large saute pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef and sausage. Cook about 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned, stirring to crumble.
- Transfer to slowcooker. Add all remaining ingredients (onion through kidney beans) EXCEPT cheese to slowcooker. Stir to combine.
- Set slowcooker to cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours.
- To serve, discard the bay leaves. Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.
Notes
Choose the types of tomatoes you like best. We like our chili more sauce-like so the petite diced and crushed tomatoes work well. Feel free to use regular diced or even whole, crushed by you, tomatoes to customize it.
Like most chilies, this version tastes even better the next day.
MAKE AHEAD TIP: This recipe makes a lot! Consider freezing half for an easy meal idea another time. You can freeze it in a labeled freezer safe container for up to 3 months. These are my favorite reusable food container labels.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5g | Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 966mg | Potassium: 1024mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1145IU | Vitamin C: 46.5mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 9.2mg
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Liz
Your recipe has given me so many great ideas for tweaking my next batch of chili! A perfect cold weather meal!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Thanks Liz! Yes the tweaking is what makes it perfect for your family and so delicious!
Nichole
I love love love chili! This looks so tasty and perfect for this time of year!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
I love all kinds of chili too and this is a permanent one in our rotation!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
A perfect chili for this snowy season!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Thank Cindy! It really is so yummy!
Hezzi-D
There’s nothing like a big bowl of comforting chili in the winter. Yours looks great!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Thanks! Chili really does warm you up on a winter day!
Sue Lau
I always love a good spicy chili!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Thanks Sue! This is a good one–just the right amount of spice to give it a kick!
Christie
We are serious chili eaters in this house. I haven’t tried a slow cooker version though. Looks amazing and I will definitely have to try it.
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Yes, it’s the best of both worlds! Yummy chili with the ease of a slowcooker!
Renee
Nothing better than a big bowl of heart beef chili to warm up with on a cold winter day!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere
I could eat chili every week. Yours looks wonderful!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Chili is the best, and even better when you can make it more nutritious.
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures
You can never go wrong with a big pot of classic chili!! This looks perfect and I love mine with beans!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Thanks Renee!
Bobbi from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
This is the perfect winter weeknight meal!!!