This slow cooker Texas chili is bursting with bold, smoky flavors, tender beef, bacon and irresistible spices that will send your taste buds swirling. Simmered low and slow in the crockpot, this rich and hearty Texas-style classic is a crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

Slow Cooker Texas Chili Recipe

This slow cooker Texas chili is a winning recipe in my household of all boys. It’s hearty, loaded with beef and bacon and so filling for my boys who eat a ton of food. Seriously though, I feel like I’m going to need to take out a second mortgage on my house just to feed these chow hounds. I developed this recipe for a chili cookoff with our church and it did not disappoint.

This recipe has bold flavors mixed with a hint of sweetness from brown sugar and Dr. Pepper. Trust me, it’s a great combo. It’s easy to prepare, full of goodness, and is the ultimate cozy dinner to enjoy any night of the week. And to make things even better, pair it with my easy buttermilk cornbread and you’ll have a 10/10 dinner.

The Cowboys’ Rating: 9/10

Every time I make a new recipe, I have my family rate the recipe out of 10. By the time, these recipes make the blog, they’ve been tried and tested by some of my hardest tiny critics!

What Ingredients Are in Slow Cooker Texas Chili?

Sirloin Steak – I always use our homegrown beef that is so dang good. Sirloin steak is perfect for this recipe because it’s a lean cut of steak that still has rich flavor.
Bacon – Let’s be honest, bacon makes everything better. I put a full pound in this recipe.
Diced Tomatoes – My kids don’t like spicy things, so I use regular diced tomatoes. If you want to add a little kick, you can use the fire roasted diced tomatoes.
Kidney Beans – I like to use the light red kidney beans in this recipe. It complements the beef and bacon well.
Great Northern Beans – I love to add great northern beans as well. They have a totally different flavor but still are so yummy. It really makes this recipe hearty.
Diced Green Chilis – To add a subtle spice that’s not too spicy, I like to add a can of diced green chilis.
Dr. Pepper – It’s crazy but Dr. Pepper makes this recipe so dang good! It adds the perfect amount of zing without it being too much!
Tomato Paste – Chili would not be chili without that rich tomato flavor. I like to add tomato paste for that reason. It also helps to thicken the chili so that it has a heartier consistency.
Corn Meal – I add corn meal to thicken the chili but also to make it less acidic and more flavorful.

seasonings

Kosher Salt
Pepper
Chili Powder
Cumin
Onion Powder
Minced Garlic
Oregano
Brown Sugar

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Texas Chili

In a frying pan, cook bacon until completely cooked through. Remove and let cool.
Cut steak into small bite sized pieces and add to slow cooker.
Cut bacon into small pieces and add to slow cooker.
Add in remaining ingredients, except for cornmeal and stir until well combined.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
When done, remove cover and add in cornmeal. Stir until well incorporated.
Serve with favorite fixings and enjoy!

Gluten Free Texas Chili Recipe

This recipe is gluten free! And it’s so dang good. I do always caution to make sure the ingredients YOU are using are gluten free though. Just as a precaution.

What to Serve with Chili

Chili and cornbread are just made for each other. I have a simple and incredibly delicious recipe for buttermilk cornbread that will be the best cornbread you’ve ever had. Click here to get the recipe.

Storage and Freezing

This recipe is my favorite because it’s great for leftovers and is also freezable! Store this easy slow cooker Texas chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For freezing, store in a freezer Ziploc back for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook it, just pull it out of the freezer and pop it back in the slow cooker for a few hours. It is so easy and so good.

Try More of My Easy Recipes