Slow Cooker V8 Chili has plenty of vegetables in it because of the V8 juice in the sauce!
This recipe makes a big batch of chili, enough to freeze or share.
The recipe was given to my husband from his best friend’s mom Janet. She gave him a handwritten recipe card with this recipe on it. Her recipe is made on the stove-top and mine in the slow cooker.
What is V8 juice?
V8 juice has eight different vegetables in it. I mostly taste tomato, but it also has carrots, beets, celery, parsley, spinach, watercress, and lettuce. I love that the V8 juice adds depth to this chili recipe that canned tomatoes can’t. You can make other recipes with V8 juice such as bloody mary’s, goulash, or even spicy braised pork.
How to make:
You will need these ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Stewed tomatoes
- White onions
- Garlic powder
- Chili Seasoning Packets
- V8 juice Original
- Kidney beans
Directions:
- In a large skillet on the stove-top, brown the ground beef until cooked through.
- Add the stewed tomatoes to the slow cooker and cut them into quarters using a butter knife.
- Add the cooked ground beef and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir.
- Add the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes! Ground turkey is so good in chili. I love how much flavor turkey gives the broth of soups and chili. Brown the ground turkey the same way as the beef in this recipe, you’ll have great results.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Try one or more of these options to make this V8 chili vegetarian.
- Use soy crumbles instead of beef
- Add more beans such as pinto or garbanzo
- More veggies such as bell pepper, celery, corn and sweet potatoes
What to serve with this:
This is one of the very few chili recipes that I can eat without toppings but I know it’s fun to have an array of choices. Here is what I set my table up with alongside the crockpot of V8 Chili.
- Saltine crackers
- Shredded cheese
- Diced Sweet Onion
- Sour Cream
- Cornbread
Other great slow cooker chili recipes on the Magical Slow Cooker:
- Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
- Slow Cooker Texas No Bean Chili
- Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Chili
- Slow Cooker Venison Chili
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
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Slow Cooker V8 Chili
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. ground beef,
- 30 oz. stewed tomatoes (2 cans) not drained
- 1 white onion
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2.50 oz. chili seasoning packets (2 packets)
- 30 oz. kidney beans (2 cans) drained and rinsed
- 64 oz. V8 juice original
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Instructions:
- In a large skillet on the stove-top add the ground beef. Brown and drain.
- Add the stewed tomatoes to the slow cooker. I like to cut them in quarters right in the slow cooker with a butter knife. If you are skilled with a paring knife you can cut them up by hand.
- Add the ground beef to the slow cooker along with the onion, garlic powder, pepper, chili seasoning packets, drained kidney beans and V8 juice.
- Stir and add the lid. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
What size is a serving for this recipe?
I do not figure that out. Sorry!
I got my math smart husband to do it! According to his calculations, a serving is a little bit less than 1 3/4 cups! We really liked this recipe…used ground Turkey for half the meat! So easy! Thank you!
Looks kind of watery. I like a thicker chili. Any suggestions?
Add less tomato juice and add a can of tomato paste.
Here’s another tip for a great chili I add 4 cans of kidney beans plus one cup of coffee and 1 can of dark beer I use Guinness dark tall can beer like 16/20 OZ, yes you still can the 64oz V8 Too. Also, I’m a big onions lover myself I used 3 different onions 1 each white/red/sweet onions.
Im currently making this… Its been in the crockpot for about 3 hours or so… I cut the recipe in half but it seems to liquidy any suggestion how to thicken?
Tomato paste will thicken it, a can of refried beans or leave the lid off for a bit after it’s done cooking.
If you can get datil pepper sauce try adding some to heat things up but be cautious!
Texas there s no beans in chili
I use the V8 in a lot of my dishes with tomatoes, great taste- thanks for all you do to help us be healthy cooks
This an incredible recipe. I have made chili exactly this way since I was young, except on a stove. My uncle showed me years ago. Last year I added some diced jalapeños from a jar. Maybe 1/4 cup for this size recipe. It took it over the top and I won the chili cook off!!!! Can’t wait to try this in a slow cooker!
Made it and I used 1 more pound of ground beef cuz my husband likes it meatier lol I also added 1 more can of beans , used 1/2 teaspoon more of garlic powder, used spicy v8 juice and added a couple of Tablespoons of better than beef bouillon and topped each bowl with fritos, sour cream and cheese. Delicious !
so glad you liked it!
Could I use an instant pot and if so what would be the cooking instructions and time? Thank you.
I’m unsure if it’s too much liquid for an instant pot, it’s right at 6 quarts.
I want to make the V8 Chili, but want to cut it in half, 1# beef, etc,all ingredients. Should I adjust the 8 hr. cooking time to less
Hi Shirley, you could get away with 6 hours on low.
Onion is listed as an ingredient, but there is no mention in the instructions. I presume the onion is chopped and added at one point. I think I would cook the onion with the ground beef.
It’s in the instructions, add with everything else. I did forget to add it in the video, I added later when I found it on the counter.
I use V8 juice in my chili recipe. I also put picante sauce (salsa) in it to instead of the onion and garlic powder. It really flavors up the recipe!!
Sorry Sarah I just realized it is .50 ozs
Hi Sarah, Can I replace the beans for potato, carrots etc Love your recipes here in downunder Aus.
I don’t see why not! Sounds like a great idea.
Hi, Sarah In the ingredients of this you mention 2x 50 oz chilli seasoning packets. is that correct as it seems like a lot to me. Most of our packets seem to be 35 grams. I will try the vege’s instead of the beans.
Your ingredients list a taco seasoning packet but the picture shows chili seasoning packet.
thank you. I fixed it. Had taco on the mind apparently. I had to fix it in 3 places!