Texas-Style Slow Cooker Chili: An Award-Winning Recipe You Need to Try

Texas is known for its legendary chili, and when it comes to creating the perfect batch, Texans take their time, letting the ingredients simmer and meld together into a savory masterpiece. Slow cooker chili is the perfect solution for those who crave that authentic, award-winning taste without spending all day over the stove. With the help of a slow cooker, you can achieve the rich, bold flavors that make Texas chili a favorite dish at cook-offs and family gatherings alike.

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The Heart of Texas Chili True Texas chili is about more than just heat—it's about layers of flavor that build with each bite. This award-winning recipe blends hearty ground beef, smoky spices, and the perfect balance of tomatoes and beans (although many Texans skip the beans!). With the magic of a slow cooker, the chili has plenty of time to develop that deep, savory taste that keeps people coming back for more. And let’s face it: there’s something comforting about knowing you can prep everything in the morning, and by dinner, you’ve got a meal worthy of the Lone Star State.

Recipe: Texas-Style Slow Cooker Award-Winning Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef (preferably 80/20)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
2. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add them to the slow cooker.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne) into the slow cooker with the beef and onions. Stir everything until well combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like beans in your chili, stir in the drained kidney beans at this point.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the better the flavors will meld.
6. Once the chili is ready, taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Serve with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or jalapeños.

The Final Scoop This award-winning slow cooker chili recipe packs everything you love about Texas-style chili into an easy, hands-off cooking method. By letting the slow cooker do the work, you’re rewarded with a rich, savory dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers for days. Whether you’re serving it up at a family dinner, a tailgate party, or a chili cook-off, this recipe delivers that deep, bold Texas flavor every time.

Chili is more than a meal in Texas; it's a tradition. And with this recipe in your slow cooker, you can experience a taste of that Lone Star spirit in every spoonful.

Sources:

Slow Cooker Texas Chili - the best crockpot chili! Recipe - Rachel Cooks®

Slow Cooker Texas Beef Chili (thestayathomechef.com)

Crockpot Chili Recipe (Cook-off Winner!) - Chelsea's Messy Apron (chelseasmessyapron.com)