Homemade Everything Chili – The Best Slow Cooked Recipe
This everything chili recipe really has a little bit of everything, and it’s slow cooked for four hours for amazing flavor! This hearty chili is everything that you want – It’s thick, filling, and has three types of beans. Add your favorite toppings for the perfect winter cozy meal. Everything chili makes a really big batch to feed a crowd, freeze, or to have leftovers for the week. You can make this everything chili on the stovetop or in a crockpot.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Rich Flavor, Better than “Classic Chili” – This chili has a delicious depth of flavor that you won’t get in most chili recipes. All the different flavors come together perfectly and you can’t beat it. I think this chili tastes even better the next day!
A Big Batch To Share – This everything chili recipe serves 13-15 people, so it’s perfect for potlucks, game days, or get-togethers. Of course you can always make it for your own family and enjoy the leftovers throughout the week!
Easy To Make – While this recipe has lots of ingredients, it’s so easy to throw everything into a large pot or slow cooker and let it simmer all day. Hardly any prep involved!

Ingredients for Everything Chili Recipe
Ok, there is a reason this chili is called “everything chili”. Some of these ingredients might sound a little strange, but trust me when they simmer together for several hours the outcome is absolutely delicious. It has so much flavor! For this chili recipe you will need:
Ground Meat: Ground beef is the classic way to go with this chili recipe, but we also love to make it with elk. You could also easily substitute ground turkey, chicken, or lamb. You do want the meat to have a little bit of fat content for the best results. Our favorite way is to mix half/half with beef and ground elk meat.
Onion & Garlic: Fresh onion and garlic are important for texture and flavor in this chili recipe.
Beans: This chili uses three different kinds of beans, which really make delicious and give it a nice texture. We like light and dark red kidney beans, and black beans, but you can play around with any variety of beans if you have a preference. Or if you really prefer to leave them out you can! If you leave out the beans, you will probably want to substitute with more veggies or more meat.
Tomatoes: Lots of different forms of tomato in this chili all work together for that rich tomato flavor and perfect texture. This chili uses tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.
Weird Ingredients That Make This Chili Special: This chili uses pumpkin puree, beer, ketchup, mustard, and worcestershire sauce (ok that one isn’t too weird). Just trust the process, ok?
Seasonings: The perfect blend of spices go into developing the rich flavor of this chili recipe. To give you a glimpse:
- salt & black pepper
- cinnamon
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- onion
- cilantro
- paprika
- cayenne pepper
- oregano

Other Supplies You Will Need
- Large cast iron or non-stick skillet
- Large soup pot or crockpot – This recipe really makes a large amount of chili, so make sure you are using a big enough pot
- Large spoon to stir – I love to use a large wooden spoon with this recipe because it’s so thick. You need a hefty spoon!
- Cutting Board & Knife
- Can Opener
How To Make Everything Chili Recipe
While this chili does have a lot of ingredients, it is very simple to make! Once you brown the meat, everything goes together in a big pot to simmer (or a crockpot).
1. Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a little bit of butter or oil, and then add the onion, ground meat and minced garlic.
2. Brown the meat, breaking it up as you go. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Once the meat is browned nicely, move everything into a large soup kettle or crockpot / slow cooker.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients, and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
5. Cook on low heat for at least 4 hours. Longer cooking will only improve the flavor!
6. If you are cooking on the stove top, bring to a very low simmer and stir every half hour or so.
7. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings!

Topping Ideas for Everything Chili
Chili is one of those recipes that you can top with all of your favorite things and make it even better. Here are a few popular chili toppings to try:
- Sour Cream
- Green onions or white onions
- Cheddar Cheese
- Tortilla chips or corn chips
- Guacamole or avocado chunks
- Fresh cilantro, basil or parsley
- Sliced fresh jalepenos
- Your favorite hot sauce
What To Serve With Chili
This chili is hearty enough that you don’t have to necessarily serve it with anything, but if you need some ideas I’ve got you covered:
- Homemade cornbread
- Sourdough toast
- Homemade tortillas
- Serve on a baked potato (regular or sweet potato)
- On top of hot dogs (Chili Dogs)
- On top of nachos or homemade fries
- Cinnamon rolls (apparently if you live in the midwest, this is common?? I have never tried it, but I do love a good cinnamon roll)
- Homemade coleslaw
Variations & Substitution Ideas
- Change up the meat: Our favorite way to make this soup is with half and half beef and ground elk meat. You could also swap ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Try different beans: Feel free to swap out the beans with your favorites.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, or diced sweet potatoes
- Play with the spice level: Adjust the spice level based on what you like, by using ingredients like chipotle powder, jalapeños, or mild peppers.

How To Store Leftover Chili
Unless you are serving a really large group, this chili makes lots of leftovers (one of the reasons I love it!). Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, put it in the fridge overnight and then heat in the microwave or on the stove.
These leftovers are delicious on baked potatoes, chili dogs, or as a variation for sloppy joes.

Homemade Everything Chili – The Best Slow Cooked Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large cast iron or non stick skillet
- 1 large soup pot or crockpot you can make this recipe on the stove top, or with a crockpot
- 1 large spoon to stir I love to use a large wooden spoon, it is hefty
- cutting board and knife
- 1 can opener
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs ground beef or we love a mixture of elk & beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- salt & pepper
- 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans drained
- 1 15 oz can light red kidney beans drained
- 2 15 oz cans black beans drained
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 28 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- dash hot sauce optional
- 1 12 oz beer any kind
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried cilantro
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper more if you like spicy!
- 2 tsp oregano
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a little bit of butter or oil, and then add the onion, ground meat and minced garlic.
- Brown the meat, breaking it up as you go. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the meat is browned nicely, move everything into a large soup kettle or crockpot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
- Cook on low heat for at least 4 hours. Longer cooking will only improve the flavor! If you are cooking on the stove top, bring to a very low simmer and stir every half hour or so.
- Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings!

Conclusion
This chili is a delicious combination of beans, meat, and a hearty sauce that has so much flavor! What did you think about this everything chili recipe? I hope your family loved it. If you liked it, I would so appreciate it if you would leave me a review and five stars!