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Easy Crock Pot Chili for Two Recipe

4.9 from 98 reviews

This Easy Crock Pot Chili for Two is a simple and hearty recipe perfect for a cozy meal. Combining ground beef, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices, it simmers slowly in a crock pot to develop rich flavors. Ideal for small households or couples, this chili is both comforting and easy to prepare with minimal active cooking time.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Aromatics

  • ½ pound ground beef or other ground meat
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, chopped or 1 tablespoon dry chopped onions

Chili Base

  • 8 ounces canned tomato sauce
  • 15.5 ounces canned dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Spices & Sauces

  • 1½ tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Extra Liquid

  • ½ cup water (optional but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Brown the meat and sauté aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground meat, stirring constantly to break it up. After about 2 minutes, add the chopped onion and continue cooking together. When the meat is nearly browned, around 4 to 5 minutes total, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Transfer meat mixture to crock pot: Move the browned meat and cooked aromatics into a small crock pot to begin slow cooking.
  3. Add beans: Rinse and drain the kidney beans thoroughly and add them directly to the crock pot with the meat mixture.
  4. Mix in remaining ingredients: Pour in the canned tomato sauce, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional water. Stir everything well to combine evenly.
  5. Slow cook the chili: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken into a hearty consistency.

Notes

  • For a bean-free chili, substitute kidney beans with diced vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms for added texture and nutrition.
  • Adjust chili thickness by adding or reducing water during cooking to get your preferred consistency.

Keywords: crock pot chili, chili for two, easy chili recipe, slow cooker meal, ground beef chili, kidney bean chili