Name: Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 500 min
Yield: 8
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; ½ tsp. pepper; 1 tsp. onion powder; ¼ 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

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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.

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:

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.

Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili

5 from 8 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:

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
½ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
¼ 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:

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Comments

Sharon says
March 27, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Excellent!
Debbie says
March 22, 2020 at 11:54 am
Awesome recipe. Chili is great. So simple to make. Tastes great too!!
Debra Giampoli says
March 22, 2020 at 7:53 am
Hi! Does this chili freeze well?
- Sarah Olson says
  March 22, 2020 at 9:41 am
  Yes! It freezes very well.
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.
- Sarah Olson says
  March 21, 2020 at 9:49 am
  Water or more bouillon would work great!
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 ?
- Sarah Olson says
  March 21, 2020 at 9:49 am
  Use water or beef broth, every recipe is adaptable.
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?
- 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!
  - Kathleen says
    March 21, 2020 at 5:22 pm
    Hi can I use beef broth instead if the boullion?