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Oh my goodness, you’re going to love this Award Winning Chili Recipe! Made in the slow cooker it is literally exploding with delicious flavor.
This is an award winning chili recipe because it won first place in a chili cook-off at work, so you know it’s seriously delicious. HA!
It’s rich, hearty, and full of amazing flavors that will make you want to come back for more. Just like a classic chili recipe should.
Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a game day get-together, or just because you crave some comforting chili, this recipe is sure to impress.
It’s suuuuper easy to make in your slow cooker, which means you can set it and forget it while it cooks to perfection.
Don’t forget to save the printable recipe card below. Next time you want rave reviews from a crowd, pull out this award-winning recipe.
There is nothing better than the smell of chili filling your home from the crock pot. You just know there is great flavor coming too.
This award winning chili recipe is packed with lean ground beef, black beans, and the perfect blend of chili seasoning, making it the best chili recipe you’ll ever try.
Some of our other favorite CHILI RECIPES we have on our site include: Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken Recipe, Homemade Cheesy Chili Fries Recipe, and Chili Cheese Dogs.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: This chili has the right amount of heat, thanks to the chili powder and rotel, and a rich, savory taste from the tomato sauce and black beans. It’s a perfect balance that will make your taste buds dance!
- Hearty and Filling: With lean ground beef, beans, and veggies, this chili is super hearty and filling. It’s a complete meal in one bowl, making it perfect for those cold weather days when you need something comforting.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is made in a slow cooker, which means you can prep it in the morning and let it cook all day. It’s a great set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s ready when you are.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Lean ground beef
- White onion
- Green bell pepper
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Petite diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Rotel
- Salsa
- Chili beans in chili sauce
- Black beans
HOW TO MAKE AWARD WINNING CHILI RECIPE:
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up into crumbles and cook until there is almost no pink left, 8-10 minutes. Drain well.
- Add the onion and pepper and cook until they start to soften about 5 minutes.
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
- Place the meat mixture into an 8-quart slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rotel, salsa, chili beans, and black beans. Stir well to combine.
- Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high, stirring every hour or so if you can to make sure nothing sticks. To thicken slightly, remove the top for the last 30 minutes to an hour.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
HOW IS THIS AWARD WINNING?
This chili won first place in a chili cook-off!
The combination of flavors and the perfect texture make it a standout.
The use of chili beans in chili sauce gives it a unique and rich flavor that judges and everyone else love.
WHAT IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT?
The secret ingredient in this chili is the chili beans in chili sauce.
They add a depth of flavor that makes this chili stand out from the rest.
Don’t skip this ingredient if you want to keep the award-winning taste!
ANY ADDITIONS?
This stuff is perfect for topping your hot dogs or even on a chili cheeseburger, YUM.
It’s one of my favorite things!
- Sliced jalapeño peppers for extra heat
- A dollop of sour cream for creaminess
- Shredded cheddar cheese on top
- Chopped green onions for a fresh crunch
- Crushed tortilla chips for some texture
- A splash of hot sauce for added spice
- Fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor
- Corn kernels for a bit of sweetness
- Smoked paprika for a smoky taste
- Diced red bell peppers for extra veggies
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
No need to stick with the original recipe. Try out a couple of these for good measure.
Get ready for some really good chili!
- Ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter option
- Kidney beans instead of black beans for a different texture
- Vegetable broth or chicken broth instead of beef broth
- Fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes for a fresher taste
- Red onion instead of white onion for a milder flavor
- Green salsa instead of regular salsa for a tangy twist
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It’s easy to reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
It’s even better the next day!
Freezer: You can freeze this chili for up to 3 months.
Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Brown the Meat Well: Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds a lot of flavor and gets rid of excess grease. Don’t skip this step!
- Stir Occasionally: If you can, give the chili a stir every hour or so while it cooks. This helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Let It Simmer: The longer you let the chili simmer, the better the flavors will meld together. If you have the time, let it cook on low for the full 8 hours.
- Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of chili powder and rotel to your taste. If you like it spicier, add more; if you prefer it milder, use less.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality ground beef and fresh vegetables can make a big difference in the flavor of your chili.
- Serve with Toppings: Offer a variety of toppings like cheese, sour cream, and green onions so everyone can customize their bowl.
This Award Winning Chili Recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves hearty, comforting meals.
It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner or a game day party, this chili is sure to be a hit.
It will satisfy the bean and meat lover in all of us!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Slow Cooker Award Winning Chili Recipe
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef 80/20
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 – 28 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 10 ounce can rotel
- 1 cup salsa
- 27 ounce can chili beans in chili sauce undrained
- 16 ounce can chili beans in chili sauce undrained
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up into crumbles and cook until there is almost no pink left, 8-10 minutes. Drain well.2 pounds lean ground beef
- Add the onion and pepper and cook until they start to soften about 5 minutes.1 cup chopped white onion, 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the meat mixture into an 8-quart slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rotel, salsa, chili beans, and black beans. Stir well to combine.2 – 28 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes, 8 ounce can tomato sauce, 10 ounce can rotel, 1 cup salsa, 27 ounce can chili beans in chili sauce, 16 ounce can chili beans in chili sauce, 15 ounce can black beans
- Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high, stirring every hour or so if you can to make sure nothing sticks. To thicken slightly, remove the top for the last 30 minutes to an hour.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Brown the Meat Well: Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds a lot of flavor and gets rid of excess grease. Don’t skip this step!
- Stir Occasionally: If you can, give the chili a stir every hour or so while it cooks. This helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Let It Simmer: The longer you let the chili simmer, the better the flavors will meld together. If you have the time, let it cook on low for the full 8 hours.
- Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of chili powder and rotel to your taste. If you like it spicier, add more; if you prefer it milder, use less.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality ground beef and fresh vegetables can make a big difference in the flavor of your chili.
- Serve with Toppings: Offer a variety of toppings like cheese, sour cream, and green onions so everyone can customize their bowl.
Nutrition
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