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Easy Slow Cooker Texas Chili is made with tender beef, bold spices, and plenty of flavor. Make it with or without beans for a hearty, comforting weeknight dinner!

You guys.. My fav time of the year is officially here and I love it! The temps have dropped a little. I actually almost wanted to turn my heat on the other morning lol. I feel like during the summer I have to put more effort into the meals that I make because I don’t use the slow cooker as much and I can’t just throw a bunch of things together because of that lol. Honestly, there’s nothing better than coming home to a slow cooker full of hearty, flavorful chili. This Easy Slow Cooker Texas Chili is packed with tender beef, bold spices, and plenty of rich, savory flavor without requiring a lot of hands-on time in the kitchen which is my fav kind of meal.

Texas chili is traditionally known for being meat-forward and typically doesn’t include beans, which makes this version a little different from the classic chili many of us are familiar with. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, game day, or a weekend meal.

WHY THIS RECIPE IS PERFECT FOR FALL

Easy slow cooker preparation: Once everything is added to the slow cooker, most of the work is done for you.
Big, bold flavor: The combination of beef, tomatoes, and spices creates a rich chili with plenty of depth.
Perfect for busy days: Let the slow cooker do most of the work while you take care of everything else.
Hearty and filling: Tender beef, hearty beans and flavorful chili make this a satisfying meal on its own.
Easy to customize: You can adjust the spice level and add your favorite toppings.

WHAT IS TEXAS CHILI?

Texas chili, sometimes called Texas-style Chili or Chili Con Carne, is traditionally centered around the meat rather than beans. Unlike many traditional American chili recipes, authentic Texas-style chili generally does not include beans.

The focus is on tender pieces of beef and a deeply seasoned, rich chili base. That said, there are plenty of variations, like this one and you can absolutely make this recipe your own based on what you’re in the mood for.

CAN YOU ADD BEANS TO TEXAS CHILI?

Yes! While beans are not typically included in traditional Texas chili, they are completely optional if you prefer a heartier bowl of chili. I absolutely love adding beans to any sort of chili so I felt it was necessary to add them to this recipe. Again, it’s totally up to you.

Adding pinto beans gives the chili more texture and makes it even more filling. They’re also a great option if you’re used to chili with beans and want a little bit of that classic chili-style texture while still keeping the bold flavors of Texas-style chili.

If you’re going for a more traditional Texas chili, then you’ll want to leave the beans out. If you’re making dinner for your family and want the chili to stretch a little further, pinto beans are a great addition.

TIPS FOR MAKING EASY SLOW COOKIER TEXAS CHILI

Brown the beef first: Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds another layer of flavor and helps develop those rich, savory flavors throughout the chili.
Don’t rush the slow cooking: The longer cooking time allows the beef to become tender and gives the spices time to develop.
Add a little cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder might seem unusual in chili, but trust me… it adds depth and enhances the savory flavors without making the chili taste like chocolate. It helps give the chili a richer, more complex flavor.
Taste before serving: Chili flavors continue to develop as they cook, so taste it toward the end and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Adjust the spice level: Use more or less chili powder or spicy peppers depending on how much heat you like. If you’re serving this to the whole family, you can keep the base mild and add heat to individual bowls.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TEXAS CHILI

This chili is hearty enough to serve on its own, but I love pairing it with something simple on the side. Honey Butter Cornbread is an obvious choice, but you can also serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or a baked potato.

If you’re serving this for game day, you could set up a chili bar with different toppings and let everyone make their own bowl.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER CHILI

Let the chili cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3ish days.

Chili also freezes really well, making this a great recipe to prepare ahead of time. Once the chili is cool, you can portion it into freezer bags and freeze for an easy meal later.

When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

FAQs

WHAT MAKES TEXAS CHILI DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR CHILI?

Texas chili is traditionally more focused on the meat and chili-seasoned sauce and typically does not include beans. It tends to have a rich and bold flavor.

CAN I MAKE THIS CHILI AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely! Chili is one of those recipes that can taste even better after the flavors have had a chance to sit and develop. Make it ahead of time, refrigerate it, and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.

HOW DO I MAKE MY CHILI THICKER?

If your chili is thinner than you’d like, allow it to continue cooking uncovered toward the end of the cooking time so some of the excess liquid can evaporate.

CAN I MAKE TEXAS STYLE CHILI WITHOUT A SLOW COOKER?

You sure can. You can prepare Texas chili on the stovetop using a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. The cooking time and method will be a little different, but you will achieve the same basic flavors.

Questions about these Easy Slow Cooker Texas Chili? Did you make this recipe? Let me know in the comments below! Tag me #chefelizabethreese on Instagram or TikTok, I’d love to see your creations!

See Step By Step Video Below!