Crockpot Chili

Fall has definitely arrived! October isn't usually this cool here in Texas, but the weather is just fine and dandy for me 'cause I've been craving all my favorite winter dishes. Since it was a brisk 48 degrees this morning, I decided a pot of chili would be a welcome Friday night dinner.

The Ingredients:

Crushed tomatoes, beans, and spices. There's also ground beef and onions, which didn't make it into the picture because they were browning on the stove when I remembered to go get my camera. Doh!

This isn't true Texas chili because it's made with beans. Also, no self-respecting Texas chili would ever be caught containing ground beef. No sir! Authentic Texas chili starts off with stew beef or a big ole chuck roast cut into cubes. But for fast, out-of-this-world delicious, everyday chili, you can't go wrong with this.

Use whatever beans you happen to like: kidney beans, red beans, black beans, great northern beans, etc. I prefer pinto beans and/or chili beans. Today all I had was one can of pintos and one can of pork & beans, so that's what I used. It was a little sweeter than usual, but still tasted great.


Here's everything stirred together in my 4-quart crockpot. Sorry about the picture, I had to tip the pot to get good light.


If you asked 100 cooks, you would get 100 different recipes for chili. I just happen to think mine is the best of the lot. Looks good, doesn't it? Oh, and I didn't need the oatmeal this time, it was thick enough without.

I hope you'll try this recipe and that it helps to keep you warm and satisfied all through the fall and winter months.

Crockpot Chili

2 lb. ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 cans pinto or chili beans
3 tbl. or 2 pkg. chili seasoning
1 tbl. chili powder
1 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup dry oatmeal (optional)

Brown ground beef and onions. Put all ingredients into crockpot (except oatmeal) and stir together, adjusting seasonings to taste. Cook on high/low 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Add oatmeal about 30 minutes before serving to thicken, if desired.