Slow Cooker Chili Recipe – Served 3 Ways

Oh and did I happen to mention I was in a Virtual Chili Cook-Off and have 18 slow cooker chili recipes to share with you? Below is a pic of  my white bean chicken chili but today’s red slow cooker chili is the one I make the most often.

Also, now that the weather has started to turn cold in the Midwest, I will be getting back to more cooking and less projects in the garage. Menu Plan Monday is making a comeback as I share my weekly menu with you and a featured recipe.

All you DIYers, don’t run away just yet, because this winter I will be doing a budget friendly makeover on our Glamper {aka Chateau Bryant} and there will be plenty of DIY action happening around here too.

{Menu Plan Monday} with Featured Recipe 

Slow Cooker Chili Served 3 Ways

I  know…enough chit chatting…. you are here for the chili and my Menu Plan for the week so let’s get cooking. The proper spice combination is required for any chili and I use chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.

After participating in the Virtual Chili Cook-Off I have since incorporated a small can of Chipotle Sauce for an added smoky flavor and a little extra kick.

So now that you know all of my secret ingredients let’s get down to what you throw together in your slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Chili

• 1 pound of browned ground beef, drained
• 2 {28 oz} cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 can each drained and rined: pinto beans, kidney beans and black beans
• 1 {7 oz} can of chipotle sauce
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
• 2 TBS chili powder
• 2 TSP cumin
• 2 TSP smoked paprika
• 1 TSP salt
• 1/2 TSP pepper
• 1 clove of crushed garlic

Add all of these ingredients into your slow cooker, set it on high for 4-6 hours and go do something fun. When you get home you can make a chili bar and pull out all of your favorite toppings.

Slow Cooker Chili Toppings

In this house we all have our favorite ways to eat chili. So I like to make a chili bar for the kids so they can top off their slow cooker chili just the way they like it.

• Fritos {aka corn chips} or any tortilla chip will do
• Saltine crackers or oyster crackers
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
• Shredded cheese {cheddar, pepper jack, chipotle cheddar, white cheddar}
• Onions {green or white}
• Hot Sauce
• French Fries {chili cheese fries}
• Hot dogs {chili cheese dogs}

As you can see, you are only limited by your imagination {and the ingredients you have available in your fridge} when it comes to making a fun chili bar. Below are the 3 most popular ways to eat slow cooker chili in my house.

Chili Cheese Fries

Frito Pie

Loaded Chili with Cheese, Onion and Sour Cream

Menu Plan Monday

Now that you have made it to the end of my post. Here is my Menu Plan for the Week.

• Sunday- Vegetable Soup and Grilled Cheese
• Monday – Slow Cooker Chili and Cornbread Muffins
• Tuesday – Taco {Salad} Tuesday
• Wednesday – Baked Salmon, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts
• Thursday – Spaghetti, Meatballs and Salad
• Friday – Mini Cheese Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Garlic Green Beans
• Saturday – Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork with Coleslaw