The best and easiest chili recipe to help you win any chili cook-off! Five ingredients, it cooks in a crock pot, and it’ll warm you right up on cold, winter days!
Up until we moved to Iowa last July, I was not the best cook. Granted, I was still in school until April, but I will confess and say that we ate a lot of boxed pasta (my poor husband).
After we moved to Iowa, I had a lot more free time to develop my cooking abilities. Last year our ward at church decided to have a Chili Cook-Off as part of the annual Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween. My husband and I were still relatively new, and I thought it would be fun to try and bring a chili recipe to share.
I wasn’t anticipating doing well in the cook-off, given my limited cooking skills, but I thought I would give it a try. I searched my cookbooks and eventually settled on one from a cookbook from some ladies at home that I got when I graduated from high school.
I went to the store and bought the ingredients and when I got home, I realized that I had gotten creamed corn instead of whole kernel corn. I was worried it would be a disaster, but I made the recipe like it said, but substituting the creamed corn.
Guess what? My chili tied for first place!!! I beat out so many women who had been cooking for so much longer than me with one little mistake! I’m still sort of surprised I won, but if you are looking for a good recipe to take to a chili cook-off, then this is the one! I’m bringing it to our cook-off again tonight and we’ll see how it goes!
It’s so easy, only has five ingredients, and takes 10 minutes to put together. Plus, it doesn’t get dry like some chilis when they are sitting in a crock pot all day.
Cook-Off Winning Chili
The best and easiest chili to help you win any chili cook-off! I've won twice with this recipe, and it only has five ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can creamed corn
- 2 cans tomato soup
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a pan on the stove. You don't need to add any oil or anything, just brown the meat and break it up in the pan. If you want you can add salt and pepper, but I never do. The rest of the ingredients give it a good flavor.
- Add the beef to the crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Notes
Sometimes I puree the tomatoes and chiles because we don't love tomatoes in our house. It keeps the flavor but gives the chili a smoother texture.
I told you it was easy! But seriously, try it. You won’t be sorry! Garnish with Fritos or Doritos, sour cream, and cheese and it will be the perfect chili to win a chili cook-off.
Rachel says
Thank you for posting this recipe! It is delicious, and I won third place in the chili cook-off at work! 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you! And congratulations!! I am so glad it was a hit!
Jen Tate says
Hi! Any thoughts on adding a second type of bean (for example kidney)? Looking forward to trying this recipe out when I have company tomorrow!
Chelsea Johnson says
I don’t think that would be a problem! It may just make it a little thicker, but definitely still delicious!
Meghan Lee says
Could you use ground chicken or turkey? Or do you need the fat from the beef?
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m sure you probably could use them. Since you don’t drain the cans that are added, I don’t think it would be a problem. If you try it let me know!
Stacy Hulst says
Quick question, what are the sizes of the cans you use? Thanks! Stacy
Chelsea Johnson says
Just the standard size. I think they are like 10.75 oz or something like that. I don’t have any on hand right now!
JM says
What size are the cans? Thanks Jamie
Chelsea Johnson says
Just the standard size. I think they are like 10.75 oz or something like that. I don’t have any on hand right now!
Amanda fain says
I literally NEVER cook and I just bought a crock-pot so I found this recipe and it seemed simple enough so I decided to give it a go today. I added about 3/4 of a diced onion just because I loooove onions! lol. Overall, I was very impressed!!! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
That sounds like a delicious tip! I think I am going to have to try that next time I make this because we love onions, too!
Brook Cione says
I’m not sure if my comment posted before but how many servings is this? I’m looking to make something that will last at least 4 days?
Chelsea Johnson says
It will serve 3-4 people, depending on how hungry they are! Making it last depends on how many people will be eating it and how many meals you’ll be eating it each day! I would definitely recommend doubling, or even tripling the recipe!
Melissa Beasley says
This was amazing! My family loved it! I was not expecting it to be so flavorful
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m glad! I love it, too!
Megan Arguello says
Can you cook it on high for a shorter amount of time?
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m sorry I didn’t respond to this sooner! I thought I had! And yes, if you cook it on the stove you can cook it for a shorter amount of time! Just make sure you stir it and keep it on low or the bottom will burn.
Reena Philip says
I made this overnight and tasted it this morning before putting it away and it came out sooo sweet! 🙁 We are not fans of sweet chili. Any ideas on how I can salvage it?
Chelsea Johnson says
It is a sweeter flavor of chili. I’m sorry! The rotel and creamed sweet corn do tend to give it a sweeter flavor.
08f4d66e-9f2e-11e4-9029-13e73c43ca10 says
Have your or anyone added chili powder or other spice to this chili? My husband is worried it will be too sweet, but I don’t want to totally distort the flavor of this. I already have everything in the crockpot heating up! Thanks!!
Chelsea Johnson says
I haven’t ever added anything so I don’t know. You could try with just a little bit and then see if you want to add it to the rest! Sorry I didn’t get to your response yesterday, I hope it turned out well!
Melanie East says
We LOVE this recipe! But I add a little taco seasoning to my ground beef and use Rotel tomatoes with chili fixings.
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks! And yummy! We’ll have to try that next time!
Laura says
I made this yesterday! I added sauteed onion, garlic, chili powered, red pepper, black pepper and salt, to make it less sweet. It turned out really good! I loved how simple and easy this recipe was! Thanks!
Chelsea Johnson says
Ooh, yum! That sounds delicious, too! I think next time I make it I want to add onion for sure!
Megan Pomputius says
This was delicious! So easy, so cheap, and so yummy!! I added a little chili powder and hot sauce because my hubby likes it hot! We also Added a little Mexican blend shredded cheese and tortilla chips, so yummy!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Oh yummy! I am making this tomorrow so maybe I will try that!
MaKayla says
I found this recipe floating around on Pinterest a few months ago. It looked easy enough, so off I went to the store. Not only did my husband and I love it, I have made this three different times for all my new mommy friends. And each time they text me and tell me how delicious it is. This is now on rotation in our house.
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s awesome! I love hearing that other people love it, too! And the best part is how easy it is! Thanks for sharing that you love it!
Paula Keenan says
I love this chili and make it all the time (in fact, just tripled the recipe for a camping trip this weekend). It is on the sweeter side so the sour cream and fritos are crucial. I have several chili recipes that I make but find myself only making this one now. You cannot get easier than 5 ingerdients!! Kid AND mom friendly!!
Chelsea Johnson says
That totally just made my day! Thank you so much for telling me! I am glad you love it. It’s definitely the only recipe we make at our house. It’s so easy! And camping is a great idea! We have a big camping trip planned next month so I will have to bring this!