Slow Cooker Beef Chili With Beans (a busy family fall and winter favorite!!)

A simple pantry chili for busy fall and winter days—hands-off and family approved.

This slow cooker beef chili with beans has become part of our fall and winter routine, and honestly—it’s a lifesaver.

I love that I can dump everything into the crock pot after breakfast and not think about dinner again all day. It makes the whole house smell amazing and feels like such a win on days when I’m running low on energy but still want to serve something warm and filling.

This recipe actually started as a pantry challenge meal. I was craving chili, but we were trying to use up what we had and avoid yet another grocery trip. So I worked with what was in my pantry—and it turned into one of our family’s favorite dinners. It’s easy, forgiving, and packed with flavor.

Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.

This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through my links. I only share products I use and love in my own home.

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In Need Of A Slow Cooker?

A slow cooker is one of my favorite tools in a busy mom’s kitchen because it takes the pressure off dinner—literally. You can toss in a few simple ingredients in the morning, walk away, and come back to a warm, nourishing meal at dinnertime. On days when your energy is low or your to-do list is long, it’s like having a quiet kitchen helper doing the work for you. No stirring, no babysitting—it really is so awesome.

🛒 What You’ll Need

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cans of beans (I use black, pinto, and kidney), drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 2 cans chili ready diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef stock or water
• ¼ cup Maseca (corn tortilla flour)

Spices (estimated amounts for 2 lbs ground beef):

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

🥄 How to Make It

Step 1: Brown the Beef + Onion

Sauté your chopped onion until translucent, then add your ground beef and cook until browned. Once fully cooked, stir in your spices and let them bloom in the pan for a minute or two—just until they’re fragrant.

Step 2: Dump Everything In

Transfer the beef mixture to your crock pot. Add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, broth (or water), and the Maseca. Stir everything together gently.

Step 3: Let It Simmer

Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. That long, slow simmer deepens the flavor and gives everything that cozy, made-with-love feel.

Stovetop tip: If you’re in a pinch, you can absolutely make this on the stove. Let it simmer on low for 45 minutes to an hour.

🌿 Serving Ideas

We usually top our bowls with:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Tortilla chips

And we always serve it with homemade cornbread on the side. My husband loves to crumble his right into the chili, while the rest of us eat it on the side with lots of butter and honey.

This post is all about how to make a slow cooker beef chili with beans.

💛 A Note to the Mom Who’s Tired

If today has been hard—friend, I see you.

I know it’s tempting to grab takeout. And if that’s what you need tonight, do it with no guilt. But if you’re craving a warm, nourishing meal that doesn’t take much out of you, this chili might be just the thing.

You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to cook amazing food for your family. This recipe takes 10 minutes of hands-on time, and then your crock pot does the rest.

You’re not failing. You’re just tired. And this chili is my way of saying, “You’ve got this.”

Want More No-Stress Pantry Dinners?

Download my free From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack for dinner rhythms, pantry meal ideas, and a grace-filled approach to feeding your family.