3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chili

3-ingredient chili. The phrase alone feels like some kind of magic trick, right? Look, there are nights (oh, plenty of them) when I get home from work, stare at a blinking cursor on my empty dinner plan, and think, wow, if only dinner could just cook itself. Simple chili like this? It’s become my fallback plan. If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted, low on groceries, and still kinda wanting homemade comfort food, yep, this post is totally for you. Nothing fancy and no grocery run required. The secret: your slow cooker does the heavy lifting.

Easy Homemade Chili Recipe

Would it be a stretch to say this 3-ingredient crock pot chili might save your sanity? Maybe, but honestly, that’s how it feels when life comes at you fast. I started making it years ago after a kitchen disaster involving burnt onions and a toddler eating crackers for dinner. Never again.

What I love about this is you don’t need to be some kind of chili pro. You just need three handy ingredients. Ground beef, a big can of chili beans (in sauce, trust me), and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Toss it all in, turn on your crock pot, and go live your life. The slow cooker does the rest. The hardest part? Smelling the chili all day and not sneaking a taste.

Not saying it’s five-star restaurant stuff, but it’s hearty, delicious, and just about everyone likes it. Even picky eaters, every single time. In my family, even the suspicious ones (“What’s in this?”) end up going back for seconds.

Quick and Easy Chili Ingredients

So, this part almost feels too easy to type, but I’ll break it down anyways. You’ll need these for your 3-ingredient crock pot chili:

• 1 pound ground beef (or turkey, or skip if you’re vegetarian – up to you)
• 2 cans of chili beans in sauce (the sauce part is important for the flavor, not just plain beans)
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel, but generic is totally fine)

That’s honestly it. Sure, you can get fancy later. But this combo? Works like a charm every dang time. Sometimes I’ll brown the beef the night before to save extra minutes while I’m groggy in the morning. (If you’re using turkey, add a pinch of salt – turkey needs help.)

Once everything’s dumped in: give it a quick stir. I put mine on low for about 6 hours, but honestly, 4 hours on high does the trick if you’re running late (or just hungry).

Keyword	3-ingredient crock pot chili	Easy chili	Homemade chili
Difficulty	Super Simple	Beginner	25 minutes hands-on

How to Make Easy Chili

First thing: brown your ground beef in a skillet. (Or in a pinch, toss it in raw, breaking it up as you go. It’ll cook, I promise, but there will be more fat to skim later. Your call.) Drain most of the grease – I leave just a little for flavor.

Next: Dump the beef into your crock pot. Add both cans of chili beans, sauce and all. Dump in the diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir. That’s kinda it. Sometimes my kids “help” by stirring and, uh, taste-testing the beans.

Cover, then set your slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Or on high for 3-4. Stir before serving. Seriously – that’s all it takes.

I made this for my family after a soccer game, and my husband thought I’d slaved all day. It’s embarrassingly easy! – Mel, Wichita, KS

Tips and Variations

I’ll be honest: the original 3-ingredient crock pot chili is satisfying without any extras. But because I have food moods, here’s a few ways to change it up. Kid wants it less spicy? No tomatoes with green chilies, just plain diced. Want more veggies? Stir in some corn or diced bell pepper – nobody will mind.

If you’re craving a little zip, a shake or two of hot sauce does wonders. Or, once I tossed in a little packet of taco seasoning and uh, big flavor boost. That day everyone asked for the “special” chili (I just smiled and nodded).

Anyway, don’t stress about perfect measurements. Sometimes I forget to drain the beef totally, and it’s still good. My friend fries the beef with onion for extra oomph. Go wild, or don’t. Just enjoy how dang easy it really is.

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What can you add to chili?

Oh, here we go – my favorite part (seriously). Here’s some classic stuff to throw in or on top of your 3-ingredient crock pot chili:

• Shredded cheese – melty cheddar is classic, but whatever you have works
• Crackers or cornbread – not required but highly encouraged
• A dollop of sour cream – for cooling things down, y’know
• Green onions or jalapeño slices for a little fresher vibe

Try it once, then mix it up! My uncle puts corn chips on his and claims it’s the only right way. To each their own.

Common Questions About 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chili

Can I make this 3-ingredient crock pot chili spicy?

Oh, for sure! If you like a little kick, use diced tomatoes with green chilies, stir in a spoonful of hot sauce, or toss in some minced jalapeño. Even a pinch of cayenne does the trick. The beauty of this chili is how easy it is to adjust to your taste mild or fiery, your call.

Do I really have to brown the beef first for crock pot chili?

Nope, you don’t have to but I’ll tell you, it does add great flavor. Browning gives the meat a nice depth and lets you drain off extra fat. If you skip it, your chili will still turn out hearty and delicious, just a little less rich and smoky.

Is 3-ingredient crock pot chili freezer friendly?

Absolutely! Let your chili cool, then spoon it into airtight containers or freezer bags. It freezes beautifully and tastes even better reheated the next week. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it up when you need an easy, cozy meal.

Can I use different beans in this simple crock pot chili?

Yep! You can mix it up just aim for beans packed in sauce so you keep that chili flavor. Traditional kidney beans work great, but black beans, pinto, or mixed chili beans all play nicely too. It’s your chili, so have fun with it.

What’s the best way to reheat 3-ingredient crock pot chili?

You can pop it in the microwave for quick comfort or warm it gently on the stove. If it’s thickened up in the fridge, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it back up. Stir well, heat through, and enjoy that familiar, cozy flavor all over again.

Chili Night, Made Easy

So here’s my official pitch: make this 3-ingredient crock pot chili on a crazy weeknight, or when you just can’t deal with wild recipes. It’s so forgiving. Easy to change up. Hard to mess up. Add what you want, skip what you don’t.

I hope you give it a go and see how great a dinner can be with almost no fuss. Seriously, your slow cooker and pantry are a match made in heaven. If you want some more slow cooker ideas, check out trusted recipes from Taste of Home or The Kitchn for extra inspiration.

Give this chili a shot next time you need dinner in a hurry – you won’t regret it!