Hearty Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Savory Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe for Winter Joy

Check out the soulful world of Paula Deen’s crock pot chili, a hearty symphony of flavors that dances across your taste buds.

This legendary recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that warms hearts and sparks conversations.

Slow-cooking works its magic, coaxing rich, deep tastes from simple components.

Tender meat and robust spices intertwine, creating a dish that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly day.

Minimal kitchen effort yields maximum deliciousness, making this chili a weeknight hero.

Fragrant and inviting, each spoonful tells a story of comfort and tradition.

Grab your ladle and get ready to savor a bowl of pure, homestyle happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 10

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

For Protein and Base:
  • Ground Beef: Choose lean cuts for less grease and better texture, preferably 85% lean.
  • Diced Onions: Select fresh, firm onions with no soft spots for crisp flavor and robust aroma.
For Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cumin Powder, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano: Opt for fresh, fragrant spices from reputable brands to enhance depth of flavor.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt for more vibrant seasoning.
For Beans and Tomato Components:
  • Black Beans, Kidney Beans: Pick well-drained, firm beans without any discoloration or damaged packaging.
  • Diced Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis, Tomato Sauce: Choose high-quality canned tomatoes with no added preservatives for authentic, rich taste.

Equipment to Make Slow Cooker Chili

  • Large Skillet: Perfect for browning beef and sautéing onions over medium-high heat.
  • Cutting Board: Essential for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for dicing onions and mincing garlic.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like cumin and chili powder.
  • 6-Quart Slow Cooker: Spacious appliance for developing rich, deep chili flavors.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for mixing and stirring ingredients during cooking.
  • Can Opener: Needed for opening canned beans and tomatoes.
  • Ladle: Convenient for serving hot chili into bowls.

Easy Steps for Paula Deen’s Chili Recipe

Easy Steps for Paula Deen’s Chili Recipe
  • Sizzle and Season Meat

Brown ground beef in a hot skillet, breaking it into crumbly bits. Toss in chopped onions and let them dance until soft and golden. Sprinkle a vibrant mix of cumin, chili powder, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to awaken the meat’s flavor profile.

  • Build Flavor Layers

Transfer the seasoned meat to a spacious slow cooker. Pour in robust black beans, hearty kidney beans, tangy diced tomatoes, zesty green chili tomatoes, and rich tomato sauce. Stir everything together, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

  • Slow Simmer Magic

Let the chili bubble and mingle on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. During this time, each ingredient will whisper its essence into the pot, creating a deep, soul-warming dish that speaks comfort and excitement.

  • Unleash and Enjoy

Taste your masterpiece and adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle into bowls and crown with optional toppings like sharp cheese, creamy sour cream, or fresh cilantro. This chili isn’t just a meal—it’s a celebration of bold flavors and culinary creativity.

Tips and Substitutes for Crock Pot Chili

  • Boost Meat Flavor: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, lean ground chicken, or a mix of meats for unique taste profiles and reduced fat content.
  • Spice Customization: Adjust heat levels by adding chipotle pepper, cayenne, or fresh jalapeños for extra kick, or reduce spices for milder version.
  • Bean Variety Twist: Experiment with different bean combinations like pinto beans, white beans, or add corn for additional texture and nutrition.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chili in advance and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to intensify and develop deeper, richer taste. Freeze in portions for quick future meals.

How to Plate and Serve Crock Pot Chili

  • Customize Your Chili Bowl: Top this hearty chili with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, and fresh chopped cilantro for a burst of flavor and texture.
  • Pair with Perfect Sides: Serve alongside warm cornbread, crispy tortilla chips, or fluffy white rice to create a complete and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
  • Create a Chili Feast: Set up a topping bar with diced green onions, jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips, and lime wedges, allowing guests to personalize their chili experience.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for quick and delicious future meals that taste even better the next day.

Store and Reheat Crock Pot Chili Properly

  • Meal Planning & Storage Advice
  • Batch Prep for Easy Meals: Cook larger quantities of chili and portion into meal-prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
  • Freezer-Friendly Comfort: Store cooled chili in airtight freezer containers for up to 3 months, creating a convenient grab-and-heat meal for busy days.
  • Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover chili in sealed containers and consume within 4-5 days for optimal flavor and food safety.
  • Revive and Refresh Technique: Reheat chili slowly on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth to maintain moisture and restore its original rich texture.
Print
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Hearty Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Hearty Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x

Description

Hearty Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili delivers rich southwestern comfort with minimal preparation. Slow-cooking beef, beans, and spices creates deep, satisfying flavors you’ll savor during cold evenings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (0.9 kg) lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 15 oz (425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 30 oz (850 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tbsps chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 30 oz (850 g) diced tomatoes, with their juice
  • 10 oz (280 g) diced tomatoes and green chilis, with their juice
  • 30 oz (850 g) tomato sauce

Instructions

  1. Protein Preparation: Sear ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, fragmenting into fine crumbles while rendering natural fats until perfectly browned, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Integrate diced onions into the skillet, translating them into tender, softened fragments. Introduce minced garlic and robust spice collection – cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper – stirring vigorously to amplify flavor complexity.
  3. Slow Cooker Assembly: Transfer seasoned meat mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker, layering black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, green chili tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Gently amalgamate ingredients, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
  4. Culinary Infusion: Seal slow cooker lid, electing either high-temperature setting for 3-4 hours or low-temperature setting for 6-8 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop profound taste profiles.
  5. Serving Presentation: Conclude cooking process, calibrate seasonings to personal preference, and serve steaming hot. Embellish with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for enhanced gustatory experience.

Notes

  • Maximize Meat Flavor: Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop rich, caramelized flavors and enhance overall taste profile of the chili.
  • Spice Distribution Technique: Toast spices briefly in hot pan to release essential oils and intensify their aromatic qualities before adding to slow cooker.
  • Bean Variety Matters: Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce excess sodium and prevent potential metallic undertones in the final dish.
  • Slow Cooking Magic: Allow sufficient time for ingredients to meld together, with low and slow method recommended for deeper, more complex flavor development.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 10
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 940 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 14 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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