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Home » Chili » Chuck Wagon Chili

Chuck Wagon Chili

by Sarah Olson on March 17, 2020 | Updated May 4, 2020 53 Comments

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This Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili has layers of flavor and is sure to be your favorite go-to chili recipe.

We make chili once a week and the slow cooker is the way to go. Also, try my Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Chili or Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili.

chili in slow cooker with beef and tomatoes.

If you are looking for the BEST chili around look no further than this Chuck Wagon Chili. There are a few secret ingredients such as beer, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.

How to make Chuck Wagon Chili in the Crockpot:

  • Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add to the slow cooker.
  • Next add veggies, seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, beer, brown sugar, beef bouillon, drained pinto beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce (see full recipe below). Stir.
Chuck wagon chili finished in slow cooker

How long do I cook?

  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken is a great way to lighten up this recipe and will still have great flavor.

chuck wagon chili in bowl with cornbread on side and oyster crackers on top.

What goes good with chuckwagon chili?

  • Cornbread – I use Krusteaz Southern Mix
  • Oyster Crackers
  • Sweet Yellow Onion
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

My other great chili recipes to try next:

  • Slow Cooker V8 Chili
  • Slow Cooker Texas No Bean Chili
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Chipotle Chili
  • Slow Cooker Steakhouse Chili
  • Slow Cooker Poblano White Chili

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

beef chili in a slow cooker with spoon in it.

Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili

5 from 17 votes
A great chili recipe made with beer and a touch of brown sugar!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chuck wagon chili
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 421kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. ground beef browned and drained
  • 1 large white onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 3 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. cumin
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 cup beer (use your favorite, I use bud light)
  • 29 oz. diced tomatoes (or stewed tomatoes) (two14.5-oz. cans)
  • 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 30 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed (two 15-oz. cans)
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 2 Tbsp. water
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add everything to the slow cooker, except the beef bouillon cube and the water.
  • Add the beef bouillon cube and water to a microwavable glass cup. Microwave for 40 seconds, or until the water is hot enough to melt the cube. Stir the cube in the water until dissolved. Add this to the other ingredients in the slow cooker, stir.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes! Use either if you want to lighten up this reicpe, you will still have great results.
What goes good with chuckwagon chili?
  • Cornbread – I use Krusteaz Southern Style
  • Oyster Crackers
  • Diced Sweet Yellow Onion
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Nutrition:

Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1139mg | Potassium: 1326mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1295IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 7mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Beef, Chili, Dinner, Ground Beef, Vintage Tagged With: beer, chili, Crock pot, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Carol Ann Chema says

      January 21, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      WHAT CAN IUSE IN PLACE OF BROWN SUGAR? I AM A DIABETIC SO CAN’T USE SUGAR.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 21, 2021 at 12:43 pm

        Leave it out or use a touch of your normal sweetener.

        Reply
    2. Lacey says

      December 29, 2020 at 11:35 am

      Has anyone made this in a instapot? I want to make it today but I don’t have 5 hrs..

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 29, 2020 at 12:33 pm

        I’m sure it will do fine, there is plenty of liquid in this recipe.

        Reply
    3. Sharon says

      March 27, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent!

      Reply
    4. Debbie says

      March 22, 2020 at 11:54 am

      Awesome recipe. Chili is great. So simple to make. Tastes great too!!

      Reply
    5. Debra Giampoli says

      March 22, 2020 at 7:53 am

      Hi! Does this chili freeze well?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 22, 2020 at 9:41 am

        Yes! It freezes very well.

        Reply
    6. Darlene Groseclose says

      March 21, 2020 at 9:39 am

      Hi Sarah, I was wondering if there is something I can use in place of the beer? I’m anxious to try this but alas, no beer. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 21, 2020 at 9:49 am

        Water or more bouillon would work great!

        Reply
      • Paul Newton says

        July 14, 2020 at 1:49 pm

        Beer is the key to its flavor, the alcohol burns off..

        Reply
      • Ronda says

        August 16, 2020 at 12:16 pm

        Can you use the NA beer? Same flavor, no alcohol.

        Reply
    7. Harley says

      March 21, 2020 at 9:29 am

      Sorry, I am one male that does not like beer in my food or period. No liquor for me. Who would like to try my chili ?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 21, 2020 at 9:49 am

        Use water or beef broth, every recipe is adaptable.

        Reply
      • Jackie says

        August 18, 2020 at 5:11 pm

        Yes want your recipe please

        Reply
      • Peggy says

        January 17, 2021 at 10:03 am

        I would like to try your chili

        Reply
    8. Hank says

      June 23, 2019 at 8:36 am

      Hello Sarah, excuse me for being a couple years too late for a question on this recipe. I always watch your videos showing you build your recipe in the crock pot. However, when you browned your ground beef, it looked like the same insides as The Ninja. Other crock pots have the porcelain. When you finished you put a glass lid on top. So, that told me it wasn’t The Ninja. Sure looked liked it, same rectangle inside. I haven’t used my Ninja since following your recipes. Will The Ninja be okay with your recipes’s?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 24, 2019 at 4:16 am

        Hi Hank, for this recipe I used the Crock Pot 5-in-1 multi-cooker. It has similar features at the Ninja. Yes, the ninja would work just fine!

        Reply
        • Kathleen says

          March 21, 2020 at 5:22 pm

          Hi can I use beef broth instead if the boullion?

          Reply
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