This crockpot chili with beef and sausage is packed with flavor. Using sausage and the right amount of seasoning really elevates your standard chili recipe to another level.
Why You’ll Love this Crockpot Chili Recipe
Even though we live in Florida, every time the temps start to cool off a bit, I crave a warm bowl of chili. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love this recipe:
- Easy to make in a crockpot, or on the stove if you don’t have a crockpot
- More flavorful than other chili recipes because of the addition of sausage
- Perfect for adding all your favorite chili toppings
- Great dinner for busy weeknights, with typically enough leftovers to make dinner for two nights!
What You’ll Need for Crockpot Chili with Beef & Sausage
Another thing I love about chili is the affordability of it as a dinner! It’s hearty yet very budget-friendly. Get the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below. Here’s a summary of what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef
- Italian Sausage
- Yellow Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Garlic
- Kidney Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Diced Tomatoes (canned)
- Tomato Paste
- Tomato Sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Beef Broth
- Hot Sauce
- Chili Powder
- Ground Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Cayenne Pepper
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Brown Sugar
How to Make Crockpot Chili with Beef and Sausage
As a busy mom of 3 active kids, I love a good crockpot recipe! So easy to throw it in early in the day and then have dinner ready in the evening! Get the full recipe below, but here are the easy steps:
- Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until mostly cooked. While this is cooking, you could be dicing your onion and peppers.
- Add diced red pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan and continue cooking until soft (or the onions are translucent).
- Transfer this mixture to your crockpot, then add the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce (optional).
- Finish by adding chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper and brown sugar.
- Stir well to combine. Add the lid to the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. If you want to speed this up, cook on high for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.
- Top with desired toppings (see below for ideas).
How to Store Leftover Chili
Chili is great left over. Once it cools, place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
One more thing to love about this recipe – it even freezes well! If you’d like to freeze it, just place in a freezer-safe bag (label with the date) and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve it, just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
You can reheat the chili on your stovetop on low heat, or in the microwave.
Variations / Swaps for this Recipe
Chili is a super customizable recipe, and this version is no different. Here are some ideas for swaps:
- Swap the meat: While the combo of beef and sausage create a great flavor, you could choose to swap the beef for ground turkey, or go all beef or all ground turkey. Of course, this is going to change the depth of flavor, but it is an option.
- Swap the beans: If you have a different favorite type of bean, feel free to swap them out.
- Spicy level: If you don’t want your chili too spicy, skip the hot sauce. If you like it spicier, add a little more!
- Sugar swap: If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar.
- Garlic: I use minced garlic, but you can use fresh garlic and finely dice it yourself, too! If you don’t have either, you could use dried garlic powder, to taste.
What to Serve with Chili
This might be my favorite part of chili, the toppings and sides! Here are some ideas:
- Cornbread
- Corn Pudding Casserole
- Fritos, corn chips, or tortilla chips
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Cheese
- Green Onions, chopped
- Fresh Cilantro
More Recipes You’ll Love:
Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Potatoes
The Secret to the BEST Sausage Gravy
3 Simple Secrets for the Best Bolognese Sauce
Beef & Sausage Crockpot Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 pound Italian Sausage
- 1 medium Yellow Onion
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 tbsp Garlic minced
- 2 15 oz cans Kidney Beans rinsed and drained
- 1 15 oz can Pinto Beans rinsed and drained
- 1 29 oz can Diced Tomatoes
- 3 oz Tomato Paste 6 tablespoons
- 1 8 oz can Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until mostly cooked. While this is cooking, you could be dicing your onion and peppers.
- Add diced red pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan and continue cooking until soft (or the onions are translucent).
- Transfer this mixture to your crockpot, then add the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce (optional).
- Finish by adding chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper and brown sugar.
- Stir well to combine. Add the lid to the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. If you want to speed this up, cook on high for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.
- Top with desired toppings (see notes for ideas).
Notes
- Cornbread
- Corn Pudding Casserole
- Fritos, corn chips, or tortilla chips
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Cheese
- Green Onions, chopped
- Fresh Cilantro
Hi, I’m Jessica! I am wife to Chris, and mom to Kaip, Alana and Koa. I am a website developer and blogger. In this space, I share about everything from parenting, making money from home, recipes, mom lifestyle, and things for kids! Learn more about me here.
