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.
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.
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.
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
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Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili
A great chili recipe made with beer and a touch of brown sugar!
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Servings: 8
Calories: 421kcal
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
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
If I didn’t want beans in my chili would I just add more beef? Or cut down the other ingredients to match the amount of beef already used?
WHAT CAN IUSE IN PLACE OF BROWN SUGAR? I AM A DIABETIC SO CAN’T USE SUGAR.
Leave it out or use a touch of your normal sweetener.
Has anyone made this in a instapot? I want to make it today but I don’t have 5 hrs..
I’m sure it will do fine, there is plenty of liquid in this recipe.
Excellent!
Awesome recipe. Chili is great. So simple to make. Tastes great too!!
Hi! Does this chili freeze well?
Yes! It freezes very well.
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.
Water or more bouillon would work great!
Beer is the key to its flavor, the alcohol burns off..
Can you use the NA beer? Same flavor, no alcohol.
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 ?
Use water or beef broth, every recipe is adaptable.
Yes want your recipe please
I would like to try your chili
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?
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!
Hi can I use beef broth instead if the boullion?
My old 3 quart slow cooker and I love this recipe. After I cut your recipe down to size and test the beer. I’ve found a brown ale the tests well. It also is faired well washing it down. Thank you for a super web site too.
Thanks for your tips, Steve. So glad you like it.
mY MOTHER HAD THIS CROCK POT. wHEN SHE DIED, i INHERITED IT. wHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTERS GO FOR DANCE COMPETITION, i GET IT OUT AND FILL IT WITH HER MEATBALL AND SAUCE RECIPE. i SEND IT TO MY SON’S HOUSE AND HE GETS A DOUBLE WAMMY, GRANDMA, AND MY COOKING.
The Nutritional Information doesn’t do much good when there is no servings size included
There are 8 servings in this recipe. My recipes are free for you to enjoy. I don’t have the time to measure the entire recipe volume before feeding my family.
Hi I’m wondering if I can use ground turkey for this recipe or if I should make your chipotle chili instead? I’m partial to the ingredients you have in this one but I don’t want to make a huge mistake.
Ground turkey would be great in this!
I’m making it right now! Thank you Sarah!!
Can you use dry pintos instead of canned? If so, would an overnight soak be sufficient?
Yes you can, I’d do at least 9 hours on low and add a bit more liquid.