This POPULAR Slow Cooker Chili with corn flavorful and EASY! It’s seasoned with a homemade blend and sweetened with honey! Can’t wait 5 hours? Stove top directions included and it’s ready in 45 min! Gluten-free
Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
I’ve been making this homemade Loaded Slow Cooker Chili with corn recipe for years and it never disappoints. I always serve it with my homemade cornbread.
My friends LOVE it as much as I love serving it because it’s hearty, full of beef and beans with a smoky flavor and just a hint of natural flavored sweetness.
It has a few more ingredients in it than my Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Chili but, equally as good-tasting! You’re going to love it!
I call this recipe a fool proof Crock Pot of chili recipe because you cut up peppers and onions and dump all of the ingredients into the slow cooker!
Just cut, dump, measure seasonings and set the slow cooker to high and cook! Five hours later, you have a delicious, filling meal to serve.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a very small commission which helps with blog expenses so you can continue to receive FREE recipes but, the price you pay is the same.
You can’t go wrong with this chili recipe to feed a group of excited football fans either which makes it the perfect game day recipe! Plus, stove top directions are included below in the recipe card that only takes 45 minutes to cook if you need it sooner!
Why buy expensive take out for your game day party when you can make this fabulous fool proof Crock Pot chili in the morning and it’s done by early afternoon? It’s just so EASY to make!
You don’t have to be a chili connoisseur to make a great chili the first time ever! Just use this easy recipe!
This slow cooker chili recipe has ground beef, red, orange and yellow bell peppers (use green if you prefer), onions, red kidney beans and black beans, corn, canned tomatoes, and honey… yep a natural sweetener instead of brown or white sugar.
The chili seasonings are not from a packet which, gives it more flavor.
Ground beef is something I always have in my freezer because I can make so much with it. For example, I can pull out some to make Hamburger Soup in my Instant Pot in just 20 minutes. Check out this recipe because it also has slow cooker instructions!
How to Make Fool Proof Slow Cooker Chili Recipe with Corn
By the way, this chili can be made in an Instant Pot on the slow cooker setting.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz canned diced green chiles, with juice
- 8 oz whole kernel corn, drained
- 29 oz canned dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 14.5 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups bell peppers (green, red, orange or yellow or combo)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 29 oz canned diced tomatoes, unseasoned with juice
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1/4 cup honey
How Do You Spice Up Chili?
Here’s a list of chili seasonings that are way better than any you can buy in a packet! Make a batch of 2-3 and store it in an empty spice container to use for next time! That’s what I do for both chili seasoning and taco seasoning.
Chili Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- black pepper to taste
You may be asking yourself “Why cinnamon?” Well, a little bit of cinnamon seasons the ground beef quite nicely. You’ll find it in Greek recipes so this is not something new.
I think this is the best secret ingredient to making chili. The seasonings in this recipe really make it tasty!
The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.
Instructions:
- First, add the following ingredients into a 6 qt or larger slow cooker on high setting: oil, garlic, onions, peppers, raw meat, seasonings, tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, corn and chiles.
- Next, let it cook, covered on high for two hours and then stir it. Break up chunks of meat.
- Then, cover and let it cook for three more hours.
- Stir in honey.
- Serve in bowls topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions and a piece of corn bread!
How Do I Make Chili in a Slow Cooker?
Here are many of the popular questions answered. If you still have one, ask in the comments below and I will answer you asap!
Do You Have to Brown Beef Before Slow Cooking?
No! Isn’t that a relief? That’s an extra step you don’t need to take and an extra pot you don’t need to clean! When the raw ground beef starts to cook in the slow cooker, it won’t only cook nicely, it’ll meld it’s flavor with the onions, tomatoes and spices. It’s like magic! Trust me. I’ve made the recipe many times.
Can You Put Raw Ground Beef in the Slow Cooker?
Yes, pay attention. LOL Put the raw ground beef directly in the slow cooker. There’s no need to brown it first.
How Do You Make Chili Thicker?
The simple answer here is to not add to much liquid. Unneeded water will just dilute the flavor. Chili also thickens over time. If you need to remedy this problem, first let it sit in slow cooker uncovered for about an hour so the water can evaporate.
Another option is to add a “slurry.” What is a slurry? In a small bowl, stir together two tablespoons of cornstarch and two tablespoons of juice from the chili.
Then, add the slurry back into the slow cooker and stir it. If you don’t have corn starch, use flour instead in the same method.
However, if you follow the slow cooker instructions in this recipe, You’ll have a thick chili especially, after it is refrigerated and reheated.
Is Chili Supposed to Be Thick?
I supposed this is a subjective question but, I’m going to say “Yes.” If chili is not thick than that would make it more of a soup. But, I would say chili falls under the big umbrella of soup but, it shouldn’t be too soupy. So yes, chili should be thick!
When I have a crowd to feed, this is one of my go-to recipes. But, I also like to make Slow Cooker Italian Pork because it’s easy-to-prep, make ahead and serve in a slow cooker liners for easy clean up!
This recipe cooks in five hours so you can prep it on game day and serve it right out of your Crock Pot! Having a insulated slow cooker carrier.
Chili tastes better when it sits a day, so all the flavors can marry which makes it a great make ahead meal for parties. Plus, it freezes well.
Chili is great for:
- game day parties
- snow days
- families with a newborn baby
- meal planning
- birthday parties
I made this Crock Pot of chili as part of our “after birth” meal prep plan for our first son. It was convenient to pull small batches out of the freezer for dinner to reheat.
Who has time to cook dinner with a newborn? It is such an exciting time! I’ll never forget how proud my husband was bringing him through the threshold. It still brings a smile to my face.
Topping the chili with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream makes it even more tempting. Add a piece of cornbread too. It’s a tasty and comforting meal, especially to combat the winter blahs!
Substitutions:
- Make it vegetarian: Omit the ground beef and add 3 more cans of beans-pinto, navy or white beans or add more black or red kidney beans and another can of diced tomatoes.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef to lighten it up.
- Use a mixture of ground pork and beef.
Bring this Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chili recipe to game day, Super Bowl party or any party for that matter. It’s so easy to make ahead and take along to a party. Any host would be happy to receive this hearty, meaty and flavorful chili.
Stove Top Directions for Loaded Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chili:
Want to eat this tasty chili sooner than five hours? Just do it on the stove top!
- In a large stock pot on medium heat, begin to saute the oil, onions, minced garlic and bell peppers.
- Next, add the meat and let it brown.
- Then, add the remaining ingredients except for the honey which, you’ll add when it is finished. Let it simmer on med/low for 45 more min, covered.
- Last, stir in honey.
When you need to feed a group of hungry people, especially guys with growling stomachs, serve up this Loaded Slow Cooker Chili. File this recipe away in your Crock Pot soup recipes.
Loaded with ground beef, beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, corn and spices, it’ll fill up the hungriest of fans. It’s easy-to-make, store and transport. Score, score and score!
You may also like:
Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Chili
Instant Pot Easy Hamburger Soup in 20 Min!
Cornbread with Whole Kernel Corn
See all of my GAME DAY RECIPES!
Loaded Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs ground beef turkey or meatloaf mix
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 6 cloves of garlic minced
- 4 oz can of diced green chiles with juice
- 8 oz can of whole kernel corn drained
- 29 oz cans of red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 14.5 oz can of black beans rinsed and drained
- 2 cups bell peppers, diced red, green, orange, yellow
- 3 tbs of extra virgin olive oil
- 29 oz. or 1-28 oz. canned diced tomatoes unseasoned with juice
- 6 oz can of tomato paste
- 1/4 cup of honey
Chili Seasonings
- 2 tbs chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional or add more if desired
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- freshly cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, in a 6 quart slow cooker on high setting, add extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onions, peppers, raw meat, tomatoes, tomato paste, beans and chilies. Cover. If you will not be home, it is fine to stir but, it is harder to stir when it is still raw because it fills the chamber to the top so, you may want to mix it in a larger bowl first. Still put in the oil on the bottom to avoid sticking.
- Then, after two hours, stir well.
- Next, cover and let sit for 3 more hours.
- Then, add honey at the end of the cooking and stir well.
- Optional: Top chili with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese in individual bowls before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Loaded Santa Fe Chili Stove Top Directions:
Want to eat this tasty chili sooner than five hours? Just do it on the stove top.- In a large stock pot on medium heat, cook add the oil, onions, minced garlic and bell peppers.
- Add the meat and let it brown.
- Then, add the remaining ingredients except for the honey which, you'll add when it is finished. Let it simmer on med/low for 45 more min, covered.
- Green bell peppers for red, yellow, or orange bell peppers
- Pinto, navy, white beans for red kidney beans or black beans
- Ground turkey or meatloaf mix for the ground beef
- Vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding three more cans of beans plus one can of diced tomatoes
Nutrition
Hi Danelle. Just put the corn and seasonings in the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. I’m sorry if this wasn’t clear.
Hi. In the directions you do not say where to put in the corn and the seasonings?
Hi Kayla. It should be fine. Let me know how it turned out.
I accidentally added the honey with a few hours to spare in cooking. mom brain over here. will that affect it in any way with flavor or anything?
Great to hear Faith and thanks for the 5-star rating!
I tried this recipe this last night and both my husband and I loved it! Great recipe definitely going to make this my go to chili recipe!
Hi Kayla. Most certainly you can! Use 1/4 cup (less or more if you wish) of brown sugar in place of the honey. You may also omit it altogether but, if you like a little sweetness, the brown sugar will work out great.
Can I substitute the honey for something else? My daughter is 10 months old and can’t have honey until 1.
Yes, however you may have a hard time fitting it in your slow cooker. This recipe cooks down a lot so, as long as you can get the lid on, you’ll be o.k. Hope you enjoy it!
Is it ok to use 3 lbs of meat with the recipe?
Hi DJ. Wow. I’m surprised too that he picked up on the cinnamon as the ratio of cinnamon to the other ingredients is small. You can certainly omit the honey and cinnamon and this chili recipe will still be great. I originally made it without those ingredients and only added them for extra flavoring. I added the honey instead of brown sugar because it’s a natural sweetener. Thanks for your comment.
My 15 year old son picked out the cinnamon flavor right away. Crazy! He asked if I put cinnamon in it and my daughter said it tasted like Christmas smells. Neither one liked the flavor in the chili. I didn’t care for it either so I’ll leave the cinnamon and honey out next time.
Hi Louis! Funny you mention vegetarian chili because I was going to post a vegetarian version of this recipe on the blog. It is my most popular recipe and a vegetarian version sounds perfect! Hope your recipe turns out great. Do come back and share how you made it and the results. I’d be interested to know.
Thanks, Joanne. I need a vegetarian chili recipe for a Quaker potluck the first weekend in June, so I’m going to try a sample of this this weekend and go full-steam two weekends from now. It sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
I like putting corn in my chili and think that is important for vegetarians because the corn and bean proteins complement each other and make a complete, human-usable protein.
I like your story about making some ahead for the great birth event.
Hi Emily. Thank you so much for writing me. That was something I overlooked when I originally wrote this recipe. I revised it to include draining and rinsing beans, adding in the juice for the tomatoes and green chiles and draining the corn. I hope your recipe still turned out well and am sure it’ll be perfect next time. Thanks again for pointing this out to me.
Can you state in the recipe to drain and rinse the beans. For someone whose never made chili I wasn’t aware of this and since it did not state it I put the whole can in… Of everything…
Hi Jessica. I’ve never done that with this recipe but I think it would be ok. Check it at the four hour mark. Hope that helps.
Can you brown the meat first before putting it in?
Hi Pat. Yes, after two hours still keep it on high. Hope you like it and Happy New Year!
After two hours when it says to sit for three more hours,is it still on high
Hi Becky. Yes, drain and rinse.
Do you drain the beans?
Hope you like it Julie. Thanks for stopping by.
My husband loves chili. I will have to try this recipe!
Thanks. It’s a great recipe to take camping and warm up on the fire!
Scrumptious! I am always looking for a better chill recipe.
Thanks. I’m glad my tag line is conveying the message of my blog. Took me so long to figure it out and am still toying with it. Hope you’ll come back and comment if you make the chili.
This looks delicious. I love hearty chili and corn bread but never come across the idea to have the two together; I will definitely have to give it a try.
Love the look and title of your blog. indeed there is nothing like home cooking.
The ground beef and ground pork goes into the slow cooker raw and will cook slowly while being seasoned from other ingredients.
Is the ground beef browned or ra?
Joanna, love your name! Thank you so much for letting me know of my error. I really appreciate that. It should be 2-14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes or 1-28 oz (unseasoned.) it will fill up the crock pot but cook down. I hope you like the recipe!
I see in the blog that you use canned tomatoes, but I don’t see it in the recipe. Do you add tomatoes and if so, how much? Thanks
Thanks Patricia. Can you send me the link where I’m referred to on Danny’s site?
I also heard about you on Danny’s site! This sounds like a wonderful recipe and I had been looking for a good chili for a slow cooker! I will try it this week!!
Thanks! I will check out your blog Janice.
Hi,
I love chili. I have a great weight watchers chili recipe. It uses turkey burger instead of real beef. I like your blog name.
I met you on Danny Ray’s site Congratulations on being his featured blogger. I was his featured blogger too! Maybe you can check out my blog if you need a blogging tip or two. That’s what I write about. I also have regular blog parties like Danny. I’m actually having one now and would love for you to come. I blog over at MostlyBlogging.com
Janice
Thanks Jen! Thanks for commenting and I’m glad you liked it.
love the honey and cinnamon addition! It tasted delicious and smelled wonderful as it was slow-cooking!
Try it in hamburgers too. Just a little.
Thanks. It is a bit different than other recipes.
Yum, Yum, a million times YUM! Never thought to try cinnamon – love that idea!
It’s that time of year when I love to make chili! I like the spices you’ve got in the recipe, I’m going to try adding cinnamon next time I make some 🙂
This chili looks and sounds so good!