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
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
A great chili recipe made with beer and a touch of brown sugar!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
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
- 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
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
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.
Thank 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.
Hi there. If not beer then can some red wine be used?
Frances from Sunny South Africa
Will this have a beer taste to it?
I am anxious to try this recipe. What can be used instead of the beer that will yield the same good recipe?
I would do beef broth or a cup of water and another beef bouillon cube.
Hey 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
Would you know the serving size?
No, I apologize.
what type of beer? any? and can you taste the cumin in it after? I can’t have it too hot
No 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.
This 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.
Great to hear Hodor! I know some don’t use beer or have beer.
Can this be cooked on high for four hours rather than low for eight?
Yes, that should work fine.
Thank 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.
I was wondering what cumin you all used the seeds or the ground?
Ground! I will fix that on the recipe. Thank you!
This chili sounds perfect! 🙂 And I love that you topped them with oyster crackers. I usually associate oyster crackers with Cincinnati style chili.
This retro recipe looks delicious and I love your retro slow cooker too!
Doesn’t get much better than chili with cornbread!
Love this theme. Looks like a delicious old-fashioned chili.
This chili looks delicious, Sarah! I always make my chili in my slow cooker. I’ll have to try your recipe soon!
My daughter says this is the best chili she has ever eaten!!!!!!