Welcome to the ultimate comfort food experience – a truly unforgettable Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili recipe that will warm your soul and impress your taste buds! This isn’t just any chili; it’s a rich, hearty, and deeply flavorful masterpiece, featuring succulent ground beef, crispy bacon, and a perfect blend of spices with a delightful kick. My dedicated taste testers universally declared this one of their all-time favorite chili recipes, and I’m confident you’ll agree. Whether you’re hosting a lively Game Day party, seeking a comforting meal on a chilly evening, or simply craving an easy yet spectacular dinner, this crock pot chili is your answer.
There’s nothing quite like a homemade chili, simmering gently for hours, allowing its myriad flavors to meld into a harmonious symphony. This particular Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili elevates the classic dish to new heights, delivering a robust and deeply satisfying meal. Don’t forget to serve it alongside a batch of warm, fluffy cornbread to complete the ultimate comfort experience!
Originally published on Mar 10, 2019
Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili: The Ultimate Hearty, Flavor-Packed Recipe
I have to admit, this Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili stands out as one of the best chili recipes I’ve ever prepared in a slow cooker. What makes it so exceptional? For starters, it boasts a generous three pounds of meat, creating an incredibly satisfying and substantial dish. Beyond the ample meat, it’s packed with an array of carefully selected, intensely flavorful ingredients that work together to create an unparalleled depth of taste. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, perfect for gathering friends and family around the table.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Chili?
The slow cooker is an absolute game-changer when it comes to preparing chili. Its low and slow cooking method allows the ingredients to meld together perfectly, creating a richer, more complex flavor profile that simply can’t be achieved with quicker cooking methods. The gentle heat breaks down the meats and vegetables, making them incredibly tender and infusing every bite with deliciousness. Plus, the convenience is unmatched – simply set it and forget it, freeing up your time to focus on other tasks while your kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma. This makes it ideal for busy weeknights, effortless entertaining, or just enjoying a cozy meal without the fuss.
The Irresistible Advantage of Bacon in Chili
Mastering Bacon for the Best Chili Flavor
The addition of bacon is what truly sets this Beefy Bacon Chili apart, lending an unparalleled smoky depth and savory richness. However, simply tossing uncooked bacon into the crock pot is a common mistake that can lead to a greasy, unappetizing result. Trust me, I’ve tested it! The key to maximizing bacon’s flavor while keeping the chili perfectly balanced is to cook it first.
Here’s why this extra step is crucial:
- Crispiness and Texture: Pre-cooking the bacon allows you to achieve the desired level of crispness. While we don’t want it overly crispy for the chili, cooking it until it’s done but not brittle adds a wonderful texture to the finished dish.
- Rendering Fat: Cooking the bacon first renders out a significant amount of its fat. This is important for controlling the overall richness of the chili. We then drain most of this excess fat, reserving just enough to build a robust flavor base.
- Flavor Infusion: The reserved bacon fat is pure liquid gold! By cooking the diced onions and blooming the spices in this flavorful fat, you infuse the entire chili with that signature smoky, savory bacon essence right from the start. This foundational layer of flavor is what makes this chili so incredibly delicious and irresistible. It’s a small extra step that yields enormous flavor dividends, transforming a good chili into an extraordinary one.
My Secret Ingredient for Unforgettable Chili: Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Prepare to be surprised! My secret ingredient for elevating this Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili to an entirely new level of gourmet richness is unsweetened cocoa powder. Yes, you read that correctly – it’s not a typo, and no, it won’t make your chili taste like dessert!
- Depth and Complexity: Just like a pinch of coffee can deepen the flavor of chocolate cake, cocoa powder (or a small amount of unsweetened chocolate) works wonders in savory dishes like chili. It doesn’t add sweetness, but rather a subtle bitterness and earthiness that rounds out the other flavors, adding incredible depth and complexity. It enhances the meatiness and balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat of the spices.
- Elevates the Flavor Profile: Think of it as a flavor enhancer that creates a richer, more robust base, allowing the other ingredients to shine even brighter. It gives the chili a sophisticated, restaurant-quality taste that will have everyone wondering what your secret is.
- Usage: You can use either unsweetened cocoa powder (about 1 tablespoon) or 1-2 ounces of a high-quality unsweetened chocolate bar. Both achieve the same fantastic result. Don’t skip this step – it’s a game-changer for your beefy bacon chili!
Choosing the Best Beans for Your Hearty Chili
Beans are a cornerstone of any great chili, offering texture, protein, and a unique flavor contribution. While this recipe thoughtfully uses canned beans for convenience, giving you a delicious homemade chili with minimal effort, you have the flexibility to choose varieties that perfectly suit your palate.
- Canned Bean Convenience: Using canned beans is a fantastic shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Remember to always drain and rinse your canned beans thoroughly before adding them to the slow cooker. This removes excess sodium and any starchy liquid, ensuring a cleaner flavor profile.
- Popular Choices: Pinto beans are often considered the classic chili bean, admired for their creamy texture and mild, earthy flavor. However, the beauty of chili lies in its versatility.
- My Preferred Blend: For this Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili, I find a blend of three types of beans offers the best balance of flavors and textures:
- Red Kidney Beans: These are robust and hearty, holding their shape well during slow cooking and providing a traditional chili texture.
- Black Beans: With their slightly earthy and meaty flavor, black beans add another layer of complexity and a beautiful dark hue to the chili.
- Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas): An often-overlooked addition to chili, garbanzo beans contribute a firm, slightly nutty texture that contrasts wonderfully with the softer beans and meat. They absorb the chili’s flavors beautifully.
- Customize Your Chili: Feel free to experiment with other bean varieties like cannellini (white kidney beans), great northern beans, or even a mix of all your favorites. The goal is to create a chili that you and your family will love.
You Might Also Enjoy These Slow Cooker Delights:
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Chili
Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana – Sausage Potato Soup
Serving Suggestions and Toppings Galore
A fantastic chili is made even better with a creative array of toppings. Offer a spread of garnishes to let everyone customize their bowl to perfection. Some popular and highly recommended toppings include:
- Dairy Delights: A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a cooling, creamy contrast. Shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend melt beautifully into the warm chili.
- Fresh and Vibrant: Diced avocado provides a rich, buttery texture. Fresh cilantro adds a burst of herbaceous flavor. Diced red onion or green onions offer a crisp, sharp bite.
- Heat Seekers: Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can amp up the spice.
- Crunchy Goodness: Crushed tortilla chips, Fritos, or even a sprinkle of bacon bits (if you desire even more bacon!) provide a satisfying crunch.
- The Essential Side: Don’t forget that classic cornbread! Its slightly sweet and crumbly texture is the perfect companion to this savory chili.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili
- Don’t Rush the Searing: While it’s a slow cooker recipe, searing the bacon, onions, and ground beef before adding them to the crock pot is crucial for flavor development. This step creates a rich, caramelized base (the Maillard reaction) that deepens the chili’s taste significantly.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your chili towards the end of the cooking process. Spices can mellow or intensify, and you might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or cayenne to suit your preference. A little extra chili powder or cumin can also brighten the flavors.
- Simmer for Maximum Flavor: The beauty of a slow cooker is the long, gentle simmer. Resist the urge to peek or stir too often, as this releases heat and extends cooking time. Let it do its magic!
- Low Sodium Options: To control sodium, use low-sodium beef broth and bouillon. You can always add more salt to taste later.
- Make Ahead and Freeze: Chili is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day! It’s also excellent for meal prepping. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
If you embark on this culinary journey and create this incredibly flavorful crockpot chili recipe, please let me know your thoughts! Leave a comment below with a star rating – I’d absolutely love to hear how much you enjoyed it and what wonderful garnishes you chose.
Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili
Equipment
- 6 quart Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb Smoky Bacon, roughly chopped
- 2 lg Onions, diced
- 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Mexican Oregano (or regular)
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 3 lg cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 2 (4 oz) cans Diced Green Chiles, mild, drained
- 2 cups Beef Broth, low sodium
- 1 (15 oz) can Tomato Sauce
- 1 (28 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes
- 3 teaspoons Beef Bouillon, low sodium
- 1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (optional)
- 2 (15 oz) cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can Corn, drained (optional)
Garnishes
- Diced Avocado
- Grated Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Fresh Cilantro
- Diced Red Onion
Instructions
- Heat a 12″ frying pan over med-high heat and add the bacon. Cook until done, but not crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain all but 3 Tbsp of the bacon fat. Set bacon aside.
- Put the pan back on the heat and add the onions. Cook until just turning translucent. Then lower heat to Med and add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir constantly while cooking for about 1 minute. Add the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Put the pan back on the heat and adjust to med-high. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat, until it browns. Drain excess fat, lower heat to low and add the garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Add mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add the green chiles, beef broth and tomato sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, beef bouillon, cocoa powder, all of the beans to the slow cooker and stir well.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on Low for 5-6 hours, or High for 3 hours.
- Add the corn and cooked bacon to the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking.
- If the mixture is too thick for your liking, add some more broth or a little water. Taste and adjust spices as desired.
- Garnish as desired and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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