This easy 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe is the easiest you will ever make. Just dump everything into your slow cooker in the morning and enjoy for dinner! You can spice it up if you like or leave it as is. Serve it inside baked potatoes or on top rice for the perfect hearty dinner.
I came up with this 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe years ago. It worked well on a day when I was going to be away. It’s great when it’s “chilly” outside! 😉 It’s one of our very first and our most popular crockpot recipes. (originally published 12/12, post may contain affiliate links)
I will tell you that we make this every single week. We change it up by serving it inside potatoes, on rice, or alone smothered with cheese.
It’s cheap, healthy and super versatile and GREAT for a crowd.
5 Ingredient Chili
If you too love slow cooker recipes of all kinds, you’re going to go crazy over this one. First let’s go over a few resources:
- This 8 quart is my all time favorite model.
- For easier cleanup you can use these liners if you like.
- I love trying new things and this Crockpot cookbook has a TON of great ones in it.
- For the best Crockpot recipes ever we have a bunch here on The Typical Mom blog.
Even when it is warm outside this few ingredient recipe is our go to meal! It’s actually pretty healthy and inexpensive to make.
It tastes great and I love it because it is really a dump and go meal we all enjoy!
Here is what you will need and just how easy it is to prepare this easy 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe in your slow cooker / crockpot.
- Ground beef (or ground turkey, ground spicy sausage is great, or omit entirely)
- Kidney beans (I usually use these)
- Diced tomatoes (I like these)
- Tomato sauce (this small can is perfect)
- Chili seasoning or a blend of your own spices
Diced or minced onions are optional but I’ll usually add them in too if I have some on hand.
If you’re in a real hurry you can make this in under 30 minutes flat. Use our easy Instant Pot chili directions here.
Here is basically how we make our 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe
- First brown ground beef or sausage on your stovetop over medium high heat until outsides are no longer pink. Pour cooked beef into the crockpot
- Then dump all other remaining ingredients into the crock pot on top of that.
Of course, please add chili powder and/or red peppers if you want some heat to it. I usually do not but that is totally up to y’all.
- Let it cook all day long on low which makes the means really soft and flavorful as they, and the meat, soak up the good juices from the sauce.
- We typically serve it on top of rice or inside potatoes, here’s the best way to make baked potatoes
- It’s a great meal and quite healthy too!
Of course you could omit the meat entirely if you want to make a 5 ingredient vegetarian chili of sorts.
I like to use a smaller crockpot to make my 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe
- Smaller meaning it still feeds the 5 of us with leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s about a 3 quart size crockpot, like the one you see here .
I swear by my rice cooker and pressure cooker. Jasmine rice is our go to as far as serving goes. It is cheap and everyone just loves it.
If you don’t have one I would HIGHLY suggest picking either one up!
They aren’t expensive and last forever.
You can serve this mild hearty chili over rice or we have even put some inside crockpot baked potatoes with some shredded sharp cheese on top!
What goes with chili for a party?
Let me tell you, if you have a large crowd you have got to make a chili bar with all the fixings! It is super cheap to put together and people love it!
Some of the best chili toppings are as follows:
- Cheese is a given of course
- Diced onions give it a bit of texture
- Tobasco or diced jalapenos give it a real kick of heat
- Sour cream is actually a new favorite of ours
What bread goes best with chili?
- Our garlic pull apart bread is to die for
- You could always go with this easy roll recipe
Looking for more easy crockpot recipes?
- Crockpot macaroni and cheese recipe
- Bloody mary chili can be made in the crockpot
- Easy crockpot lasagna recipe
If you have a bunch coming over you can serve it in a multitude of ways really. We have tried them all.
Best way to serve chili
- In bowls with cheese on top of course
- On top of rice – Instant Pot white rice is the best
Inside crockpot baked potatoes is probably my all time favorite ways to eat it. If you love crispy skins, try our air fryer baked potatoes too.
Here’s a quick rundown below but in the recipe card at the bottom you can actually print it all out.
Time needed: 6 hours.
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili
- Brown
In a pan brown your ground beef or ground sausage on the stovetop. If you want to add freshly diced onion do so at this time so they can soften along with your meat.
- Add ingredients
Drain the grease from your meat (or keep it if you think it adds more flavor, either way is fine). Dump it into your crockpot. Add all other ingredients and stir together.
- Cook
Put on low in your crockpot to cook all day but at least for 4 hrs minimum. Serve with cheese on top or inside baked potatoes.
This really is our favorite dump dinner of all times we’ve made for 10+ years now.
Want to see a few of my favorite things you might want to write on your Christmas list this year??!! 😉 Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!
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***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can diced tomatoes we like petite, 15 oz.
- 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz.
- 1 can kidney beans 15 oz.
- 1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet chili seasoning spice aisle (or use 1 tsp. Lawry's + 1 tsp garlic salt + 1 tbsp. dry minced dehydrated onions + 1/4-1/2 tsp chili seasoning)
- 1/3 c. water only if you want a thinner version
- 1 tsp chili powder optional – if you want a bit of spice
Instructions
- Brown your ground beef on the stovetop
- Drain meat and add to your crockpot.
- Add all other ingredients and stir
- Put on low in your crockpot to cook all day but at least for 4 hrs minimum.
Video
Deven
Wednesday 4th of November 2020
Can I substitute diced tomatoes for tomato paste? If so how much?
Erin
Saturday 12th of September 2020
Can you substitute tomato sauce for tomato juice?
The Typical Mom
Sunday 13th of September 2020
It just wouldn't be as thick but sure.
Joanne
Tuesday 1st of September 2020
The easiest, most delicious chili I ever made! My family and friends love it! I have a 5 quart crock pot, and doubled the recipe (except for the meat and the seasoning packet), plus a bag of frozen onions and peppers. THANK YOU! ❤️💯
The Typical Mom
Tuesday 1st of September 2020
So glad you love it too...we've been making it for years
Star
Wednesday 17th of June 2020
I've made this recipe 10+ times and my family and I LOVE it! Today I made it, and 4 hours later I realized I forgot to plug in my crockpot! 😭 I'm hoping it does well cooking on high because I don't have 4 hours anymore! I usually cook my chili from noon to 7 or 7:30.
The Typical Mom
Thursday 18th of June 2020
So glad you love it too. High should be fine, you're just warming the ingredients since the meat is cooked beforehand.
Maureen
Sunday 12th of January 2020
I just made this. I have not tasted it yet. Because it is a 'basic' recipe you can adapt it as you like. I added 2 medium cans pinto beans, 1 can black beans and 4 cans kidney beans ...we like our chili with brans!