Welcome to our absolute favourite easy slow cooker chilli con carne recipe! With ground beef and beans cooked in a family-friendly spicy chilli tomato sauce, it's so tasty and easily healthy!
Includes step-by-step instructions and a recipe video at the bottom of the page.
This is what we consider one of the best chilli con carnes we've ever made.
With subtle heat, spice, and rich flavour, we find it's the perfect balance for our family. And you'd never have known it was a healthy chilli con carne.
In fact, with just some simple ingredient swaps, I'll show you how you can instantly make it unofficially Slimming World friendly, vegetarian, keto, or Gluten Free!
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🛒 Ingredient Notes
Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the end of this post.
Oil - we use low calorie cooking oil spray for a lot fat chilli con carne, but you can use 1 tablespoon oil of your choice such as olive oil
Mince beef - we use extra lean beef mince (5% fat or less) so it is higher in protein and lower in saturated fat for heart health
Onion - green or red onion to compliment the warming taste and softens any sharpness from the tomatoes
Bell pepper - we use diced red pepper, but any sweet peppers are a good idea, such as orange or yellow, unlike green here
Garlic cloves - for a more complex and comforting flavour
Fresh red chilli - you could use mild chilli powder or a pinch of chilli flakes for a bit of heat. Or stir in homemade chilli sauce at the end to mindfully control the heat for the whole family
Herbs and spices - we use smoked paprika, garam masala, oregano, a little salt, black pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper
Beef stock cubes - for extra flavour, but note we don't make a beef broth as we don't want it swimming in beef juice as it won't evaporate in the slow cooker
Tomato - for an easy chilli, our tomato sauce comes from canned chopped tomatoes and tomato paste (tomato puree)
Red kidney beans - pre-cooked, washed, and drained. Any canned beans will work, such as black beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans
📋 Instructions
Gather all your ingredients together and follow our easy instructions!
First, brown the minced beef in a frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes stirring occasionally, then place it in your slow cooker.
Now add all of the ingredients and any optional ones to the pot except any sour cream or yogurt.
Give the pot a good stir until everything is well combined.
Then pop the lid on and cook on:
- medium-high heat and cook for 3 to 4 hours.
- Or low heat for 6 to 7 hours.
Tip: Towards the end of the cooking time, why not make it the ultimate Mexican food with a side serving of this easy spicy rice?
Also, if you want to control the heat in the end result, why not add a touch of hot sauce instead of chilli only at the end to taste?
We also like to add garnishes like low fat grated cheese, a dollop of sour cream or fat free natural yogurt and fresh coriander. Or simply add your favourite toppings!
👩🍳 Substitutions
There are a few simple ways to adjust this easy slow cooker recipe for any special dietary needs:
- Beans - a beans recipe isn't keto, so why not swap them for extra vegetables that are low carb, such as muhrooms and serve with cauliflower rice
- Oil - Use Frylight instead of oil for low fat if following Slimming World or Weight Watchers
- Stock - use Gluten Free stock if needed
- Meat - swap raw mince for turkey mince or make it vegetarian with Quorn mince along with veggie stock
⚖️ Variations
To make the best chili recipe, then it really is down to personal preference. So here are a few ideas to adjust this slow cooker chilli recipe:
- Spicy - add extra chili powder, ground cumin,
- Deluxe - add ground coriander, a few cubes of dark chocolate for most flavor, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce
- Kid friendly - omit or use a very small amount of chili peppers and serve with fries or tortilla chips, making it great tactile food
See the stove top (hob version) of this recipe here on my website!
🔪 Equipment
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- Chopping board
- Chopping knife
- Measuring spoons
- Weighing scales
- Slow cooker pot or crock pot
- Non-stick pan or large saucepan
- Spatula
- Salt and pepper grinder
- Cheese grater
❄️ Storage
Storing - we prefer eating our chili con carne fresh, but it's also great for batch cooking. So with leftovers, it can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Freezing - cool to room temperature and again, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and microwave until piping hot, or on the hob or stove.
💡Pro Tips
- When handling fresh chilli, I recommend wearing rubber gloves in case you touch your eye later, which can be very uncomfortable!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This easy recipe doesn't just have to be served with rice.
It's very versatile and is the perfect combo with baked potato, wedges made from sweet potatoes, or a great way you can serve it is in wholemeal bread buns, like Sloppy Joes!
❓ FAQ
I think it's best to start small and taste as you go. With one chilli, it's rather mild, so I also added ½ teaspoon to enhance it. But note, you can't really remove the heat if you've added too much, but yogurt can help cool it a little.
Absolutely! It's great for weight loss as it is packed full of fibre and protein to help you feel fuller for longer. But if low fat, ensure you use extra lean beef and low calorie cooking oil spray.
Instead of slow cooking, the best way to make it if you are in a hurry is by following this hob version here.
Although it takes a few minutes, we recommend browning the beef first for caramelisation for a sweeter flavour. See the maillard reaction here.
With Texas and Mexico being neighbours, this basic stew with chili peppers and beans is believed to originate from Texas and is called Tex-Mex.
➕ More Chili Recipes
Looking for more every day recipes like this? Try these:
🍽️Pairing
If you're looking for a tasty side, here are a few of our favourite dishes to serve with this easy chili:
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- Frylight
- 500 g Extra lean beef mince
- 1 large onion peeled & diced
- 1 red pepper deseeded & diced
- 3 cloves of garlic peeled & minced
- 1 medium red chilli *(or 2 if you don't want it mild). peeled & finely diced
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 beef stock cubes
- 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 3 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 x 400g tin of kidney beans washed and drained
- Seasoning *Generous amount of salt and pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
OPTIONAL GARNISHES
- Sprinkle Low fat grated cheese *must be counted or used as your allowance
- Dollop Fat free natural yogurt
- Fresh herbs of your choice I use coriander
Instructions
- First, we're going to brown off the mince meat so it doesn't totally disintegrate in the pot. To do this, spray a large frying pan with frylight, then place the lean mincemeat in and cook until brown.
- Meanwhile, prep all the veg below and place in the slow cooker. Note, I wear disposable gloves for the chilli, so I can discard after and not accidentally get any in my eye.
- Once the meat has browned, also add that to the slow cooker, then give everything a good stir.
- Place the lid on top and cook on low for 6 - 7 hours or overnight, or on high for 3 - 4 hours.
- Serve with rice, a dollop of fat free natural yogurt, a sprinkle of reduced fat cheese, fresh herbs (such as coriander) and enjoy!
- If you enjoyed it, then why not tag me on Instagram (#TastefullyVikkie) so I know you made it? I LOVE seeing your creations!
Disclaimer
*This is an unofficial page and has no affiliation or endorsement from Slimming World. Slimming World's website can be found at https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/. Any syn values are personal estimates and not verified by Slimming World.
Anonymous
Made this for the first time today, it’s gorgeous, definitely making it again, I’ll add dark chocolate next time, it’ll be a weekly regular for sure Xx
Alex
This is probably going to sound like a stupid question, but is it 218 calories for the whole dish or is that per serving?
Vikkie Lee
Each 🙂
Louise
My go to chilli recipe. I was never a fan of chilli before (think it was the kidney beans but I use the Mexican beans now in the pouch and syn accordingly. We Chuck the leftovers in a pasta bake. Delish!😋
James
Really easy to make and tastes great, perfect for freezing
Stephanie
Silly question but do you add any water with the stock cubes?
Tess
Absolutely loved this version, I always made it the same old, same old but there was an extra something about your recipe that was delicious, thank you for sharing!
Lynne
Would it be ok to use chilli powder ?
Vikkie Lee
Absolutely!
Sally
I love the idea of this recipe. I'm always on the look out for new slow cooker recipes.
Vikkie Lee
Thank you 🙂
Sue
I made your Slimming World Chilli yesterday. It was absolutely delicious.