Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights

Paula Deen’s crock pot chili brings warmth and comfort to your kitchen with its robust, soul-satisfying essence.

This classic dish transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that hugs you from the inside out.

Slow-cooking transforms basic components into a rich, hearty meal that speaks directly to your appetite.

With minimal effort, you can create a deeply satisfying recipe that fills your home with incredible aromas.

Simple techniques and straightforward ingredients come together to craft a crowd-pleasing meal that everyone will adore.

The magic happens when diverse flavors meld and develop complexity during long, gentle simmering.

Each spoonful promises a delightful balance of spices, textures, and memories that connect you to home-style cooking: get ready to fall in love.

Why Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili is Perfect for Busy Days

• Savor Hearty and Bold Flavors: This Paula Deen chili packs a punch with a perfect blend of spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano that create a rich, deeply satisfying taste profile.
• Enjoy Effortless Slow Cooking Magic: The crock pot method transforms simple ingredients into a robust meal with minimal hands-on time, letting the slow cooker do all the hard work while you relax.
• Celebrate Protein-Packed Comfort: Loaded with ground beef and two types of beans, this chili delivers a substantial, filling meal that provides excellent nutritional value and keeps hunger at bay for hours.
• Experience Versatile Meal Potential: Perfect for game days, family gatherings, or cozy weeknight dinners, this chili can be easily customized with toppings like cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro to suit any preference.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base for the chili, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
• Onions: Provides deep flavor and aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Garlic: Adds robust, sharp flavor and enhances overall taste profile.

• Cumin Powder: Warm, earthy spice that gives traditional chili depth.
• Chili Powder: Core spice blend that provides classic chili flavor and mild heat.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic flavor for additional seasoning.
• Dried Oregano: Herbaceous note that complements other spices.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all flavor components.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish.

• Black Beans: Adds protein, texture, and authentic chili character.
• Kidney Beans: Provides additional protein and classic bean texture.
• Diced Tomatoes: Creates liquid base and adds natural sweetness.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis: Introduces mild heat and extra flavor complexity.
• Tomato Sauce: Helps bind ingredients and create smooth consistency.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef and Onions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef for 4-5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Add diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.

• Ground beef
• Diced onions

Cook until beef releases fat and onions are tender.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Spices

• Cumin powder
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook for 30 seconds, ensuring spices are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Transfer to Slow Cooker

• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes with green chilis
• Tomato sauce

Mix thoroughly to combine all components.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Chili

• High setting: 3-4 hours
• Low setting: 6-8 hours

Allow flavors to meld and develop rich depth.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, warming chili.

Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

• Simmer Slowly: Let flavors develop by cooking on low heat for maximum deliciousness.
• Control Spice Intensity: Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and cayenne pepper to suit personal preferences.
• Clean Bean Preparation: Thoroughly drain and rinse beans to prevent watery consistency and maintain chili's robust texture.
• Maximize Spice Freshness: Select recently purchased spices to guarantee vibrant, powerful flavor profiles.
• Develop Deep Beef Flavor: Carefully brown meat before slow cooking to create rich, complex taste foundations.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

• Freeze: Divide chili into portion-sized freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and seal tightly. Frozen chili maintains peak flavor and texture up to 3 months. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigerate: Cool chili completely at room temperature within 2 hours of cooking. Store in sealed glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Consume refrigerated chili within 4 days for best quality and food safety. Keep containers toward the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen chili overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add small splash of water or broth if chili seems dry. Microwave option works best when heated in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle to distribute heat evenly.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

• Southwest Spicy Kick: Replace black beans with pinto beans and add diced jalapeños for extra heat. Mix in fresh cilantro and a splash of tequila for a bold southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion Chili: Substitute ground beef with ground lamb and incorporate Mediterranean spices like cinnamon and cumin. Add kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese as a topping for a unique Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Mountain Style: Replace ground beef with a combination of quinoa and plant-based meat crumbles. Include roasted root vegetables like sweet potatoes and butternut squash for heartier texture and enhanced nutrition.
• Smoky Tex-Mex Warrior: Use smoked paprika and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to create deeper smoky undertones. Add corn kernels and top with crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch and authentic Tex-Mex character.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili

Paula Deen’s Crock Pot Chili emerges as ultimate comfort cuisine, blending robust flavors and hearty ingredients into one magnificent meal.

Southern culinary traditions shine through each spoonful of this rich, soul-warming dish.

Slow-cooking techniques transform humble ingredients into complex flavor profiles that dance across taste buds.

Meat lovers and bean enthusiasts will discover pure satisfaction in this recipe’s deep, layered textures.

Protein-packed and seasoned perfectly, this chili creates memorable dining experiences for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.

Grab your ladle, invite friends to the table, and savor each delectable bite – share this recipe, comment with your chili memories, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Paula Deen Crock Pot Chili delivers robust southwestern flavors simmered to perfection. Savory ground beef, aromatic spices, and rich tomato base create a comforting meal you can enjoy with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) lean ground beef, (90/10 or 93/7)

Beans and Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 15 ounces (425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 30 ounces (850 grams) kidney beans, two 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed

Spices and Tomato Products:

• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 30 ounces (850 grams) diced tomatoes, with their juice
• 10 ounces (280 grams) diced tomatoes and green chilis, with their juice
• 30 ounces (850 grams) tomato sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare the protein base by heating a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles while releasing its natural fats. This process should take approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Incorporate diced onions into the skillet, sautéing until they become translucent and tender, which typically requires 4-5 minutes of continuous cooking.
3. Introduce minced garlic and aromatic spices including cumin powder, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir vigorously for 30 seconds to ensure even distribution and maximize flavor development.
4. Transfer the seasoned meat mixture into a 6-litre (6-quart) slow cooker, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Pour in black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes with their natural juices, diced tomatoes with green chilis, and tomato sauce. Gently blend all components to create a harmonious mixture.
6. Secure the slow cooker lid and select cooking method: high setting for 3-4 hours or low setting for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeply.
7. Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve the chili piping hot, garnished with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Notes

• Gentle simmering develops complex layers of flavor, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that gets better with time.
• Customize heat levels by gradually adding spices, allowing each family member to enjoy their perfect chili intensity.
• Rinsing canned beans removes excess sodium and starch, ensuring a cleaner taste and smoother texture in your final dish.
• Quality spices make a massive difference – fresh, fragrant seasonings elevate your chili from good to extraordinary.
• Properly browning ground beef creates a rich caramelized foundation that intensifies the overall depth and complexity of your chili.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 447
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 10g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 74mg