Super Simple Chili

I love making this Super Simple Chili on a cool Fall or Winter day. As soon it turns cool, I can’t wait to start a pot of chili. It has been my favorite cool weather meal for a long time.

How about you? Do you love chili? I hope so, because I am going to share my favorite simple chili recipe with you today.

You can cook this completely on the stove top if you want to. I don’t do that because I don’t want to have to keep a close eye on it.

Instead, I simply brown the hamburger and sauté the onions on the stove top. About halfway through the browning of the hamburger, just add the chopped onions. Drain this mixture when the hamburger is done browning.

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Then I switch to my favorite cooking method… the Crock Pot! I have several crock pots of varying sizes. This Crock Pot is one of my favorites. It holds just the right amount of food, has a removable insert and has a “warm” option.

You can make this Super Simple Chili in the Crockpot

Yes, once the hamburger and onions are ready, you can cook this delicious chili in a crockpot. You can let it cook for 2-3 hours on the high setting or 4-5 hours on the low setting. Either way this chili never fails to please.

While the hamburger and onions are browning on the stove, just put all of the remaining ingredients into the crockpot. Stir all of the ingredients together. I think it’s a beautiful sight and I can’t wait for the awesome chili that’s going to be cooking in the crockpot.

Now add the drained ground beef and onions. Mix it all together.

Simmer in the crock pot on low for 4 -5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Be sure to stir it occasionally.

Super Simple Chili

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 16 oz. can of diced tomatoes

1 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

1 T. tomato paste

1 16 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 T. chili powder

1 t. cumin

1 t. oregano

1 t. sugar

1-2 bay leaves (remove before serving)

Brown ground beef and onions on stove top. Drain. Add to crock pot with remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

Serve with cornbread or crackers and shredded cheddar cheese.

If you like “Dinner in a Bowl” foods, this chili is great poured over a small bowl of rice. I didn’t think I would like it this way since I’m not a big fan of rice. But I was served it this way when I was in Guatemala on a Missions Trip several years ago and loved it. I came home and had to try it with my favorite chili. It was awesome!

Hacks and Hints

If you are like me, and don’t always have exactly 1 pound of ground beef and the chili seems too thick when you put everything into the crockpot, try adding an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce. That usually does the trick.

Or, if your chili is too thin, try adding another can of beans

Pinto beans or kidney beans work perfectly in this recipe as a substitute for the black beans.

If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to comment below and let us know if you’d loved it as much as we do.

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