Looking for an easy slow cooker recipe to wow family and friends? Try this slow cooker chilli con carne — a simple, flexible dish that’s packed with flavour.
This recipe is straightforward and easy to adapt: increase or reduce the heat to taste, or swap beef mince for pork, turkey or chicken. Below you’ll find the full recipe, cooking tips and serving suggestions to ensure great results every time.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
Luke and Kay – Flawless Food
Customise the spice level and swap mince types to suit your preferences.
Serve with rice, jacket potatoes, tortilla chips or your favourite sides for a crowd-pleasing meal any time of year.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, finely diced
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 250 g Mushrooms, sliced
- 500 g Beef Mince
- 1 Beef Stock Pot (mixed with 250 ml boiling water)
- 1 tin Kidney beans, drained
- 1 tin Sweetcorn, drained
- 1 tin Chopped Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Puree
- 1 tablespoon Hot chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
- Small handful Fresh Coriander (use stems in cooking, leaves to garnish)
To serve – Optional
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Grated Cheese
- Jalapeno
- Jacket Potatoes
- Rice
- Tortilla Chips
- Pasta
- Chips
Instructions
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Finely dice the onion and garlic, and roughly chop the mushrooms. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and sauté the onion, garlic, mushrooms and beef mince until the mince is browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
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Transfer the browned mixture to the slow cooker. If you prefer, drain excess fat before transferring for a leaner result.
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Mix the beef stock pot with 250 ml boiling water and add it to the slow cooker.
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Add drained kidney beans, drained sweetcorn, chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. Stir to combine.
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Add hot chilli powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, salt and pepper. Chop the coriander stems and add them to the pot, reserving the leaves for garnish.
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Stir everything, cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours (best results) or on high for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking.
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When cooked, remove the lid, stir and serve. For a thicker chilli, cook on low for an extra 30 minutes with the lid off to reduce the liquid.
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Serve with your choice of sides and a sprinkle of chopped coriander leaves.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Protein: 23 g
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Fiber: 4 g
This post was originally published on 16/06/2022 and updated on 16/06/2024 with extra tips and an improved recipe layout.
Perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping meals for the week. Add the ingredients to the slow cooker in the afternoon and come back to a hearty dinner in the evening.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick breakdown of the ingredients and why they work:
- Oil – For frying the onion and browning the mince. Use less for leaner meat.
- Minced Beef – Choose lean for lower fat, or higher-fat mince for a richer flavour. Pork, lamb, turkey or chicken can be used instead.
- Onions – Essential for depth of flavour; red, white or brown all work.
- Stock – A beef stock pot or cube adds richness. Mix with 250 ml boiling water for a thicker result.
- Tomatoes – Tinned chopped tomatoes are convenient; fresh tomatoes can be used too.
- Tomato Puree – Helps thicken and intensify the sauce.
- Beans – Kidney beans are classic; black beans, pinto beans or chickpeas are fine alternatives.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves give the best flavour, but puree or granules are acceptable.
- Chilli Powder – Adjust the amount to your preferred heat level.
- Cumin – Adds a smoky, earthy note; smoked paprika is a nice addition.
- Cinnamon – A small amount gives a warm background flavour.
- Salt & Pepper – Season to taste, and adjust after cooking if needed.
- Vegetables – Mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers and grated carrot all work well.
- Coriander – Use the stems in the pot and the leaves to garnish.
Substitutions
Swap mince types, beans and vegetables to suit dietary needs. For a vegetarian version use Quorn mince and vegetable stock, or try soya mince for a vegan option. Other flavour boosters include smoked paprika, oregano, a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a small piece of dark chocolate for depth.
Chilli Con Carne – Slow Cooker Advice
Slow cookers are ideal for “set and forget” cooking. Sautéing the onion, garlic, mushrooms and mince before adding them to the slow cooker builds more flavour, though you can skip this step if short on time.
We recommend low heat for the best texture. If you open the lid during cooking you’ll need to extend the time by at least 30 minutes.
Cooking time
The rule for slow cooking is “low and slow.” Cook on low for 5–6 hours for the best texture and flavour. If you’re in a hurry, use high for about 4 hours, but the meat may be slightly less tender and the sauce a bit thinner.
Serving suggestions
Serve with plain white rice and grated cheese, a wedge of lime, jalapenos and fresh coriander. It’s also great with jacket potatoes, tortilla chips, homemade dough balls or roasted vegetables.
For a lighter plate, serve with steamed broccoli or garlicky green beans. Add sour cream or guacamole to cool spicy flavours, and sprinkle smoked paprika or chilli flakes for extra heat.
Leftovers often taste even better the next day — they keep well and develop more depth of flavour.
Storage
Store chilli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.
Reheating
Thaw if frozen and reheat gently in a pan over medium heat until piping hot. Alternatively microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals. If too thick, loosen with a splash of water or stock.
History
Chilli con carne — literally “chilli with meat” — is a Tex‑Mex classic with roots in 19th century North America. Over time it has evolved into many regional variations and remains a popular, comforting dish worldwide.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
If you enjoy slow cooker meals, try these other recipes:
-
Slow Cooker Beef Shin with Gravy
-
Slow Cooker Lamb Curry
-
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Dumplings
-
Slow Cooker Turkey Drumsticks
More Mince Beef Recipes
Try these other mince beef favourites:
Pie Mash and Liquor
Cheesy Bolognese Pasta Bake
Jamaican Beef Patties
Curried Mince Hotpot
Have you made this slow cooker chilli con carne? Tell us how it turned out in the comments — with just a few simple ingredients this one often becomes a family favourite.