This Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili has layers of flavor and is sure to be your favorite go to chili recipe.
Welcome to the third edition of Vintage Slow Cooker Recipe of the Month. I researched various chuck wagon chili recipes on the web. It seems that everyone has their own versions. I tried to create a recipe here that has many layers of flavor. I imagined the cook of the chuck wagon adding bits of ingredients all day until a perfect chili was created. The beer, Worcestershire sauce and the brown sugar give this chili a unique flavor.
I had planned to give the extras from this recipe to our neighbors. My husband saw me starting to dish up their portion, and suggested we save it instead and make nachos later in the week with it. That was a great idea! (Sorry Nikki!). My husband must of been a huge fan of this chili, because normally with chili he can barely stand leftovers just once.
Not only does this chili have an amazing flavor but also the consistency is just right. See below how the ratio of the beef and beans to the sauce is perfect.
I don’t have many recipes besides clam chowder that I buy oyster crackers for. When I was checking out at the store buying these crackers, the man in front of me commented how those crackers bring him back 30 years. I had to giggle knowing I was going home to top my vintage chili recipe with those crackers.
I also served this Chuck Wagon Chili with cornbread baked in my Le Creuset cast iron pan. My favorite cornbread right now is Krusteaz Honey Cornbread, though I do love their Southern Style too.
Below is my video on how to make this Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili. You can follow me on YouTube, here.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, I think it will become your new favorite chili. Have a great week and I will have another recipe for you soon!
Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili
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
- 2 14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes (or stewed tomatoes)
- 1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 2 Tbsp. water
!Slow Cooker Size:
- 5- quart or larger
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 without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Notes
Nutrition
Ground Beef Recipes are popular here on the magical slow cooker. Try a few more here:
- Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole
- Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew
- Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
- Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner
- Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf Stuffed Peppers
- Slow Cooker Texas Trash Beef and Bean Dip
- Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meat Loaf
- Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
Mary says
February 15, 2016 at 5:05 pmThis chili looks delicious, Sarah! I always make my chili in my slow cooker. I’ll have to try your recipe soon!
Jane McKinney says
March 5, 2018 at 12:07 pmMy daughter says this is the best chili she has ever eaten!!!!!!
Christie says
February 17, 2016 at 5:23 amLove this theme. Looks like a delicious old-fashioned chili.
Grandma Kc says
February 17, 2016 at 4:02 pmDoesn’t get much better than chili with cornbread!
reneeskitchenadventures says
February 18, 2016 at 5:29 pmThis retro recipe looks delicious and I love your retro slow cooker too!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
February 19, 2016 at 8:21 amThis chili sounds perfect! 🙂 And I love that you topped them with oyster crackers. I usually associate oyster crackers with Cincinnati style chili.
Jennifer says
February 22, 2016 at 8:24 amI was wondering what cumin you all used the seeds or the ground?
Sarah Olson says
February 22, 2016 at 8:40 amGround! I will fix that on the recipe. Thank you!
Greg says
April 2, 2016 at 3:09 pmCan this be cooked on high for four hours rather than low for eight?
Sarah Olson says
April 2, 2016 at 4:27 pmYes, that should work fine.
Greg says
April 2, 2016 at 5:25 pmThank you so Much! Iv’e made this a few times following recipe, but this morning I forgot to put it on so it could sit for full 8 hours. Thank you for quick input! By the way, I have made and saved quite a few of your delicious recipes, thank you.
Hodor says
June 27, 2016 at 5:52 amThis is now my go-to slow cooker chili recipe, I’ve tried several others but this one is just about right. I have yet to try it with beer (only thing I’ve left out, never seem to have it on hand) but it still has plenty of liquid.
Sarah Olson says
July 5, 2016 at 7:45 amGreat to hear Hodor! I know some don’t use beer or have beer.
Rylee says
October 29, 2016 at 12:19 pmwhat type of beer? any? and can you taste the cumin in it after? I can’t have it too hot
Sarah Olson says
October 29, 2016 at 6:08 pmNo you can’t really taste the cumin. Cumin isn’t spicy, the chili powder would add the spice. I usually use budwiser, or bud light.
Kate says
April 3, 2017 at 8:37 amWould you know the serving size?
Sarah Olson says
April 3, 2017 at 9:08 amNo, I apologize.
Vince says
December 9, 2017 at 11:49 amHey Sarah! I just made this chili and I am really impressed. Very delicious and easy to prepare. My stepson and I have just polished off the whole batch! I added some masa flour at the end to slightly thicken this great chili dish. Thanks for this super recipe, Vince
Elisabeth Montgomery says
February 24, 2018 at 11:33 amI am anxious to try this recipe. What can be used instead of the beer that will yield the same good recipe?
Sarah Olson says
February 24, 2018 at 1:59 pmI would do beef broth or a cup of water and another beef bouillon cube.
Judy Uhl says
February 25, 2018 at 4:15 amWill this have a beer taste to it?
Frances says
February 25, 2018 at 7:55 amHi there. If not beer then can some red wine be used?
Frances from Sunny South Africa
Tony mcdonald says
February 26, 2018 at 6:45 amThank you so much for your recipe chuck wagon chili Sarah delicious.
This is the way I’m gonna make my chili in the slow cooker from now on.
Kitty says
February 27, 2018 at 1:15 amCan you use dry pintos instead of canned? If so, would an overnight soak be sufficient?
Sarah Olson says
February 27, 2018 at 11:55 amYes you can, I’d do at least 9 hours on low and add a bit more liquid.
Melinda says
February 28, 2018 at 9:43 amHi 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.
Sarah Olson says
February 28, 2018 at 10:25 amGround turkey would be great in this!
Melinda says
February 28, 2018 at 11:11 amI’m making it right now! Thank you Sarah!!
Art Truska says
April 6, 2018 at 3:16 pmThe Nutritional Information doesn’t do much good when there is no servings size included
Sarah Olson says
April 6, 2018 at 3:56 pmThere 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.
Anonymous says
July 12, 2018 at 2:20 pmmY 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.
Steve Curmudgeon says
June 17, 2019 at 8:15 amMy 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.
Sarah Olson says
June 17, 2019 at 8:19 amThanks for your tips, Steve. So glad you like it.