They are versatile and so easy to use, making them popular choices for many dishes that need to (or definitely should) cook over the course of a few hours.
One of these dishes is one of our favorites – chili.
Chili, or chili con carne (translates to chili with meat), is a popular dish that hails from Mexico. It’s a type of spicy stew dish or casserole (Also check out Amazing Paula Deen Broccoli Casserole) that has grown in popularity all over the world.
While there are vegetarian chili dishes, the traditional recipes call for ground beef. Additional ingredients include things like tomatoes, beans, onion, and a handful of fantastic seasoning.
If you are a chili fan and also love Paula Deen and her recipes, you are in the right place (see also “Amazing Paula Deen Salmon Pattie Recipes To Try Today“). Here, we will be going through some of the best chili recipes she has to offer.
About Paula Deen
Paula Deen is the queen of hearty, Southern American food. Born in 1947, she is known for her wide array of accessible and easy dishes that will bring a smile to your face every day.
She has had careers on television, but is also a chef and cookbook author with hundreds of mouthwatering recipes under her belt.
This wonderful chef describes her food as “farmhouse cooking” – it’s rustic, feel-good, home-style cooking that everyone can get behind.
If you think you would like to try your hand at making rustic, feel-good chili recipes in a slow cooker, then you’re in the right place.
Let’s take a look at Paula Deen’s takes on this classic and see what she has to offer. You won’t regret making a single one of these!
You can’t go wrong with a regular, good old chili.
For this easy-peasy recipe, you will need kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, and a handful of other things you already have lying around.
Sauté what you must, and add everything to the slow cooker. Allow it to cook on a high heat for 2–3 hours or on a low heat for 4–6 hours. The flavors in this dish are unbelievably good.
This healthy chili uses ground turkey instead of beef, so you get some different flavors if that’s what you’re craving!
Leave this to cook in a slow cooker for at least an hour before coming back to it, and definitely do not skip out on all the seasonings.
You will need some basic ingredients like ground turkey, bell peppers, Vidalia onions, celery, and a handful of other things. Feel free to add more chili to it if you want an extra kick!
As always, bear in mind that if you are planning on using a slow cooker for this recipe, it might take triple the time (but have triple the flavor).
To make the world’s best Southern chili, you will need red onion, bell peppers, celery, garlic, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, pinto beans, and kidney beans.
A whole load of spices and seasonings will get thrown into this, too, so don’t skip out on those!
The longer you leave your chili to cook, the tastier it will be. Don’t worry about making a huge batch, either, because chili is fantastic for freezing.
It will only get better when you reheat the food, as the flavors will continue to marry together.
For some added spice, all you need to do is up the favor with some chili powder or red pepper flakes.
To make it, you will need butternut squash, onions, peppers, stewed tomatoes, black beans, red beans, vegetable stock, and a handful of other basic seasoning options.
While the recipe calls for everything to be done on the stovetop, you can easily use your slow cooker.
Simply throw everything in once all the sautéing is done, and leave it to cook for about an hour. This recipe doesn’t need a lot of time to cook, so it can be made at short notice.
You’ve had regular chili, you’ve had veggie chili, and now, you can have chili in a biscuit bowl! This is a fun take on the classic and is absolutely perfect.
You can use a premade biscuit mix, or make your own and have some fun. Either way, the results are going to be wonderful.
To make chili in a biscuit bowl, you will need all your favorite chili ingredients – kidney beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, ground beef, and more.
You can serve this dish with a nice dollop of sour cream and cheddar, along with some corn chips.
Sure, chili is usually made with ground beef and kidney beans, but what’s stopping you from using chicken and white beans?
This mouthwatering chili dish brings something a little different to the table, and you won’t be able to get enough of it.
To make it, you will need dried navy beans, chicken stock, chicken breast, chilies, garlic, and a handful of all your favorite seasoning options.
Soak your beans, throw everything together, and leave it to cook in your slow cooker for 4–6 hours. For the best results, serve this delightful dish with some fresh cornbread.
Want to keep things simple and use some taco seasoning mix for your chili? Not a problem! These flavors work together perfectly, so prepare your taste buds.
You will need your regular chili ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, and chilies, along with a handful of delightful spices.
Don’t forget to soak your beans before cooking them, so make sure you give yourself enough time. Overnight is preferable, but six hours is the minimum.
Since you are using a slow cooker, give the dish plenty of time to cook – around 4–6 hours for the best results.
Final Thoughts
Which chili recipe do you like the most? If you are in the mood for chili, why not gather everything you need, and follow one of these fantastic recipes?
You will not regret it, and we couldn’t recommend it enough.
No matter your skill level, these chili recipes are killer.
Since you will probably be using a slow cooker (even if the recipe doesn’t necessarily call for it), you can put everything in and forget about it.
It’s the perfect way to make a delicious dinner without sacrificing all that time, don’t you think?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Cook Any Chili In A Slow Cooker?
Yes! Any chili can be thrown into a slow cooker and cooked for hours. In fact, cooking your chili for longer will only improve its flavor, as all the seasoning and flavors can marry together and blend perfectly.
Whether you are making vegetarian chili or a meaty delight, you can use your slow cooker to get the job done.
How Long Should Chili Cook In A Slow Cooker?
Aim to cook your chili on low in a slow cooker for anywhere between 6–8 hours. This will ensure that all the flavors marry together perfectly. If you are using high heat, you can reduce this time to 3–4 hours.
Both options are fantastic, but we would always recommend using the low heat for extended periods of time to really get the ultimate chili.
What Are The Classic Chili Seasoning Options?
Every chili recipe will be different. However, some classic chili seasoning options tend to stay the same no matter what recipe you are looking at. These seasoning options include things like chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Additional options might include smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and even cocoa powder if you want to make chocolate chili!
Why Is Chili So Popular?
Chili is such a popular dish because it is easy to make, and always delicious. It is a fantastic comfort food and will warm your belly in the cold months.
There are lots of different recipes to try with all kinds of variations, so it’s guaranteed that there will be a version of chili out there that you like.
Not all chili even had beans, either (Texan chili usually doesn’t have beans), and some are sweeter, while others are spicy.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
