Description

This Crockpot Chili Cook-Off Winner is bold, hearty, and slow-cooked to perfection. Packed with ground beef, beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a secret touch of chocolate, it’s rich, flavorful, and award-worthy. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or family dinners, this easy recipe will quickly become your signature chili.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef (or half ground beef, half sausage)
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (15 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 cup frozen corn (or canned)
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder or a small square of dark chocolate

Instructions

Brown the meat: In a skillet, cook beef and onion until browned. Add garlic during the last minute. Drain excess fat.
Combine in crockpot: Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, broth, spices, sugar, and cocoa/chocolate.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
Adjust: Taste before serving, adjust seasoning, and thicken if desired by cooking uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips.

Notes

Browning the meat first builds rich flavor—don’t skip it.
Chocolate or cocoa powder adds depth and complexity.
For sweeter chili, add extra corn and a pinch more brown sugar.
For spicier chili, increase cayenne or add chipotle in adobo.
Chili tastes even better the next day—perfect for meal prep.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
Category: Main Dish, Chili
Method: Slow Cooker, Crockpot
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 420
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Award Winning Chili, Crockpot Chili Recipe, Chili Cook-Off Winner, Slow Cooker Chili, Famous Chili Recipe, Chili Con Carne Crockpot