Slow Cooker Bush’s Best 3-Bean Chili

I have a new rule this year. Any time the temperature is less than my age, it’s time to make chili. But not just any chili. This slow cooker Bush’s Best 3-bean chili. Loaded with plenty of great beans (I mean, really… you knew that was coming, right?) and beef and just the right amount of spices, this chili warmed me to the bone. It’s perfect on a cold day. Or hot day for that matter.

Slow Cooker Bush's Best 3-Bean Chili

Great Beans

I’m a huge fan of Bush’s beans. Any of them. And not just in chili. They’re perfect in this chili, though. They belong in this slow cooker Bush’s Best 3-bean chili. I know, there’s some that say chili and beans do not go together. Well, they do. And here’s proof!

Go Visit

Not too far out of Sevierville TN, in Chestnut Hill, you’ll find the Bush’s Best Visitor Center. I cannot possibly recommend it enough. First, you have to get a selfie with Duke, the famous dog from the Bush’s Best commercials. Then you have to go thru the museum. It’s got all sorts of cool exhibits, from a vintage kitchen to a movie about the history of the company and how the beans are made (many of them made right across the street), to fun interactive exhibits. You finish up the museum visit in the original store, where you can buy all sorts of great bean swag and beans! I was super happy to find beans that we don’t have in our local store. And I bought a bean hat…

Go Eat

Right next door to the Bush’s Best Visitor Center you’ll find the Bush’s Family Cafe. And I guarantee, you have to stop in. The food is fantastic. I mean seriously good. And the service was great. Our stops at Bush’s Best Visitor Center are ones we reminiscence about often. We always stop by if we are anywhere near it. You should do. And grab some beans and go home and make some of this chili!

Also try some over the top smoked chili.

Slow Cooker Bush's Best 3-Bean Chili
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Bush’s Best 3-Bean Chili

Makes a big batch of delicious warm-you-to-your-bones chili!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 12
Calories 216kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain well.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper.
  • Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they just start to soften.
  • Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients except for the sour cream. Stir. Taste. Add more salt if desired and stir again.
  • Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.,
  • Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

Add a sliced or diced jalapeno or two for a little kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 659mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 429IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili

I know that some may poo-poo the idea of making chili in a crockpot. I can only say to them: you have to try this slow cooker meat lovers chili. Do you have to make it in a slow cooker? No, of course not. It’s just a bit easier when you do. No matter how you cook it, it’s packed with flavor. Three meats to satisfy any carnivore’s desires. The perfect combination of spices and heat. This is the perfect chili for a cold day.

Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili

Meat. And More Meat.

You can adjust this recipe for slow cooker meat lovers chili however you like. Spicy ground sausage and a chopped habanero or two will definitely kick the heat up a few notches. Leave out the beans for a more Texas-style chili. Substitute ground turkey sausage, ground turkey and regular ground sausage for a beef-less chili. This recipe very flexible so you can adjust it as you like.

One thing I like to do with my chilis and any recipe that calls for canned tomatoes is to substitute fire-roasted tomatoes instead. The roasting really adds a tremendous flavor to the tomatoes and any dish that you use them in.

Also try my slow cooker down-home chili dogs.

Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili

Three meats to satisfy any carnivore’s desires. The perfect combination of spices and heat. This is the perfect chili for a cold day.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 406kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the sausage, beef and pork into a large pot or Dutch oven over high heat and cook until browned, breaking up the meat more as it cooks.
  • Drain the meat and transfer to a lightly greased slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients.
  • Stir, cover and cook on low 8 hours.

Notes

Great served with cornbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 529mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 309IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

When I moved to the mid-west from the east coast I heard about this thing called ‘Cincinnati chili’. My reaction to the idea of spaghetti and chili was one of shock. Cinnamon? What? Is that an accident? That was all before I tried it. I’ve learned to be less judgmental about new foods since then, and Cincinnati chili is one reason why. I love it. Slow cooker Cincinnati chili is perfect, and not just on cold mid-west winter days either.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Get Your Chili Fix

Making Cincinnati chili in a slow cooker is easy and tasty and I’d make it again and again. Now, if I happen to be in Cincinnati, I’m heading to The Chili Hut, my hands-down favorite food truck.

I’ve been lucky enough to have the chili from the Chili Hut several times, from the parking lot at Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield Ohio to the huge food truck rally in West Chester Ohio. You can have your chili as many ways as you want from the Chili Hut. The chili is perfectly seasoned and has the best texture. It’s beyond yummy!

Also try my grilled Cincinnati hot dog. For a hearty slow-cooker dish, make a batch of Chet’s Trucker Stew.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Making Cincinnati chili in a slow cooker is easy and tasty and I’d make it again and again. 
Course Mainer
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 241kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chili

For serving

  • Classic: Serve chili hot.
  • 2-way: Serve chili over hot cooked spaghetti.
  • 3-way: Serve chili 2-ways topped with shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4-way: Serve chili 3-ways topped with chopped white onion.
  • 5-way: Serve chili 4-ways topped with warmed kidney beans.

Instructions

For the chili

  • Crumble the beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and celery and cook until the meat is done.
  • Drain off any excess fat and pour the meat mixture into your slow cooker.
  • In a large bowl, combine the remaining chili ingredients then pour over the meat.
  • Stir, cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Serve as desired.

Notes

This chili freezes well for thawing and reheating later. I like to keep chili on hand for hot dogs, too!

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 769IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.