Football season is upon us. Yay. I love football season as much as I love New Year’s Eve – which is not at all. However, as wives, girlfriends, whatever, sometimes we are called upon to make what is known as “tailgate food.” Sometimes tailgate food consists of telling your husband to order a pizza. But other times it requires us to use our own two hands to make something. Yes. And when that happens you are going to want to dig out this husband-approved crock-pot chili recipe because not only is it delicious, but it’s also full of hidden vegetables.
Husband-Approved Crock-Pot Chili Recipe
I don’t know if I’m the only one who has this problem, but let’s just say, my husband is not the biggest fan of vegetables. I feel like I am constantly on a quest to find healthy recipes that my husband will actually eat. That’s why I love chili. Yes, it can be higher in calories but “high calories” and “fat” are not dirty words in my house. Your significant (and perhaps his friends) is going to love this crock-pot chili recipe and he won’t even know it’s pretty good for him, too.
RELATED: If you love crock-pot recipes you will also love this one for carnitas!
Did I forget to mention it’s easy? The most effort you’ll have to put forth is opening a few cans ’cause it’s all going in the crock-pot to either cook while you’re at work – or even overnight. And if you don’t have a crock-pot yet, this is the exact crock-pot I use and love.
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Crock-pot Chili Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (thawed!)
- 25 ounces tomato sauce (or 30 ounces if going to be gone longer than 9 hours)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- a can black beans, drained
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp sugar (a secret ingredient!)
- ¼ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- a red pepper
- 1 can (11oz) canned corn
- 1 diced red pepper
- Celery (Optional)
Vegetarian Option:
If you want to make it completely meat-free, ditch the beef, tomato sauce, and paste and add one more red pepper and two more cans of diced tomatoes. YUM!
Crock-pot Chili Recipe Directions:
- If you want a healthier versio, cook the ground beef before putting it into the crockpot and drain the fat. If this sounds like way too much work for you (I’m in this category) then just spray your crockpot with some oil and put that ground beef right in.
- If using peppers or celery you are going to want to dice them up before throwing them in. My husband hates when I put celery in but I like my chili to have some crunch to it.
- Throw in all the other ingredients. Any order will do.
- Cook on high heat for four hours, or low heat for…literally forever. If you will be at work for longer than 9 hours you are going to want to add a little bit more tomato sauce though to make sure it doesn’t cook down too much.
How do you like your chili?
Personally, I like mine with some cornbread. I usually add a can of corn to those small cheap boxes at the grocery store and it comes out delicious.
Other options: Over fries, potatoes or hot dogs.
What about the toppings?
Ah, this is where things can get a bit unhealthy. I load mine with cheddar cheese. Others love sour cream and green chilies for those that love extra toppings.
TOUCHDOWN!
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We love chili and there are so many different ways to make it your own. Using the crockpot doesn’t heat up the house and blends all those flavors perfectly.
Yes! I’ll never make chili any other way.
I’m hoping to make a pot of chili this weekend when the weather cools down. I have never thought of adding a can of corn to my chili, may have to try that. And to try it in the crock pot as well, have never done that either.
Oh wow using a crock-pot will for chili will change your life. it’s like the flavors just marinate in each other.
I make a similar chili but I never thought to add corn to it! I’ll have to try your recipe out — because anything with corn is a winner in my book 🙂
I know – corn is pretty good 🙂
YUM! Thank you so much for sharing!
Lol anything husband approved meals is the way to go! Will have to give this a try!
Yum! Chili is so good especially in the fall months and I’m like you and love loading mine up with veggies and cheddar cheese which kind of defeats the purpose of the veggies lol.
haha I know…I totally load mine up with cheese as well 🙂
I love crockpot chili! Can’t wait for it to get cooler here in Texas
The towel looks great and the board and even the chili, haha. I might actually make this. It better be good or else!!!
It’s VERY GOOD! Yes, the towel is very pretty too 🙂
I LOVE that you added in a vegetarian option at the bottom. Thank you–I will definitely be trying this. I love Chili in the fall/winter.
I love chili! And I love that you included ‘Husband Approved’ in the title. Sometimes that can be as tricky as getting something to be ‘Kid Approved’
Oh perfect timing to stumble upon this recipe! I plan to make chili this week and needed a new recipe. This look delish! And I love the idea of stuffing it with veggies!
Chili is a BIG hit around this house – it’s one of the reasons I’m excited for fall so I can start making it again more regularly 😀 I can’t wait to give yours a try – I love it when I can make stuff in the crockpot; such a great timesaver 🙂
I love a good chili recipe! And love that it has veggies in it!
This looks delicious, and I like that you included the corn and different beans. I would definitely be interested in trying this recipe.
Let me know how it goes!
This looks so easy and delicious! I’m adding it ot our queue of things to make!
Looks delicious! Love that it’s husband approved!!
This looks so good! My husband is a huge fan of chili. Especially over hot dogs and fries!
Yessss so good!
Chili in the crock pot has been on my recipe list for a while. Thanks so much for this recipe. I’ll have to give it a try.
I am in need of a new chili recipe. This looks awesome! I am pinning this!
Yay! enjoy, Carrie!
This sounds yummy! Saving it for when it finally cools off around here! 🙂
I need to get me a crock pot I know I’m late to the party but this looks and sounds delicious.
One of the many things I love about Fall…all the great chili and stew recipes! It’s so easy to sneak veggies into these dishes so it’s a win for everyone!
We have recently been putting chili over cauliflower, sounds strange, but it is delicious!
whoa I will have to give that a try!
It looks so delicious! I love the recipe 🙂
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I love hidden veggies #hehe