This recipe for Crock Pot Chili with Salsa is the best way to make delicious chili easily and quickly in your slow cooker! Check out this and other great shortcuts to reduce prep time and still enjoy hearty and flavorful homemade chili!
Jump to:
👩🏻🍳 Chili with Salsa Secret Ingredient
Brrrrrr, this cold weather really makes me crave a steaming hot bowl of hearty, zingy chili! But, I have to be honest, I am not always up for chopping all those veggies.
It is a lot of work, and even though there is a big payoff in the form of yummy homemade chili, sometimes I just don't make it because of the time and effort involved.
Is the hack in this recipe a form of cheating? Maybe. But is it delicious? YES!
Call me lazy, or call me just a busy mom trying to fit it all in (in reality it is probably a little of each!), but either way, I am totally on board if there is a way to 'cheat' and get awesome homemade chili with minimal effort.
One simple ingredient ended up being the solution to all my chili woes, and the best part is that it is nothing fancy...I usually have it on hand in my pantry!
The simple ingredient is…..drumroll please…..chunky salsa! It already contains the chopped veggies, and it totally enhances the flavor of the chili. Brown the ground beef, add some beans and spices, and you are well on your way to an awesome home-cooked meal with minimal effort. Of course, you can also add other vegetables if you like; as with any chili, there are so many ways to customize!
🥘 Ingredients Needed
- ground beef - can't have a good chili without ground beef.
- onion - you can use fresh or frozen chopped onion.
- chunky salsa - the secret ingredient that makes prep for your chili a breeze!
- chili beans - another classic chili staple ingredient.
- chili powder and cumin - add some extra heat and flavor.
🔪 Instructions
- Start by browning your ground beef.
- Place the ground beef in a crock pot with the onion, salsa, chili beans, chili powder, and cumin, and then cook on low for 5-6 hours. So easy!
👪 FAQs
If properly stored, your chili should last 3 to 4 days, which makes it a perfect meal to make ahead of time or make a double batch of and save for another night! Just be sure to allow the chili to cool, then transfer to an airtight container.
With proper care in storing, your chili could last up to 6 months in freezer. To thaw, leave it in the fridge overnight.
In a pinch, you could place your chili in a microwave safe container and give it a good zap (I'd start with about a minute, then continue in 30-second increments if it's still not hot enough).
You could also pour your chili into a pot over medium heat and cook again until it's all heated through.
Check out this great article on What To Do With Leftover Chili - 20 Great Ideas. With 20 ideas to choose from, there's no doubt you will find something!
📖 Variations
- If you want to use something a bit leaner than beef, ground chicken, pork, or turkey would also work just fine in this recipe!
- Chili is such a customizable food. Add in bell peppers, corn, spinach, or whatever veggies you have on hand to bring some extra nutrition.
- This chili is great on its own but could also be served over rice or even pasta.
- Toppings galore! Top your chili with cheese (cheddar and Monterey jack are great options), cilantro, chopped chives, sour cream, or some nice buttery crackers for extra texture.
- I love using my leftover chili in these amazing Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwiches. They are a little messy to eat, but SOOOO worth it!
🍴 Suggested Side Dishes
This Crock Pot Chili is hearty enough on its own, but with a side dish it becomes a certified feast! Check out these recommendations.
🍲 Additional Slow Cooker Recipes
Here are a few more more slow cooker ideas for you! Also try this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes!
Crock Pot Chili with Salsa
Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!
📋 Recipe Card
Crockpot Cheater Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 ½ cups frozen chopped onion (or chop 1 large fresh onion, if you have time)
- 16 ounces extra chunky salsa (your favorite)
- 15 ounces chili beans in sauce (1 can)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspons cumin
- 14 ounces frozen bell pepper strips (1 bag - optional)
optional toppings:
- shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef.2 pounds lean ground beef
- Add the ground beef and remaining ingredients to the crock pot and mix.1 ½ cups frozen chopped onion, 16 ounces extra chunky salsa, 15 ounces chili beans in sauce, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 ½ teaspons cumin, 14 ounces frozen bell pepper strips, shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken, pork, or turkey.
- Vary your results by using bell peppers, corn, spinach, or or other veggies!
- Serve over rice or pasta.
- Some topping suggestions: shredded cheese, cilantro, chopped chives, sour cream, or some nice buttery crackers for extra texture.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Also freezes well in an airtight container. Make extra and freeze it for an easy meal later on!
- Use leftover chili in these Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwiches.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in Jaunary 2014, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2020.
Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.
And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!
Happy cooking!
Dannii
This is just the kind of comfort food we need in this cold weather. YUM!
Kristin
I agree, this is totally perfect for this chillier weather. It will warm you head to toe! 🙂
Andrea Metlika
Crock pot recipes are the best. Throw it all in and leave it to cook. The salsa shortcut in this is perfect!
Kristin
I know, I just LOVE crock pot recipes. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!
Maria
This is perfect especially to a mom like me <3 will try this!!
Kristin
Oh yes, this is perfect for busy moms. Hope your family enjoys it! 🙂
Amanda Marie Boyle
I love chili, so glad to add this to my collection of recipes!
Kristin
I think you will really like this. Thanks, Amanda!
Cathy
Thank you for linking up at Tasty Tuesdays! Your post has been pinned to my Recipes from Tasty Tuesday board. I can't wait to see what you link up this week!
Have a terrific week!
Cathy
Britni
Such a creative idea to use the chunky salsa! Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party!
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Christine
We LOVE chili at our house, and I love the idea to "cheat". 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners
I am all about saving time, Kristin, and you are not allowed to call it lazy! lol.
Great recipe. Dinner can still be substantial without spending hours on it. Thanks for sharing.
Kristin King
Thanks, Robyn! I agree! 🙂
Edward Antrobus - If You Can Read, You Can Cook
For me, the more beans, the better for my chilli. My wife makes one that uses a pound of ground beef (actually we are using ground turkey instead these days, it's actually cheaper), and six cans of tomatoes and beans.
Kristin King
And beans are so good for you, too! 🙂
Meg
I've done that to make taco meat -- I never thought of just serving it in a bowl and calling it chili! Brilliant idea!