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.
Teresa says
I made it twice now and I substituted one of the cans of soup with tomato sauce the second time. we liked it better with less of a tomato soup flavor. So easy and good!
Chelsea Johnson says
I’ll have to try that!
Christine says
I’ll be putting this on the menu very soon! Looks incredible!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks! It is super good! I recently had a friend recommend adding in zucchini and sweet potatoes, so I think I might try that next time!
Sutton says
Does this really only serve up to 4 people? Seems like a lot of meat. If I need to feed 6 adults, I want to double everything including the meat? Excited to try!
Chelsea Johnson says
It sounds crazy but it’s true. When I make this for my husband and myself and we both have two bowls, it doesn’t leave much for leftovers. I would definitely double it if you are feeding six adults!
Jessica says
Hi Chelsea,
I am a single/student mom of two and I (finally) just recently landed a job. I have been looking since 2015. While I loved being a stay at home, I am very excited to be able to provide for myself and my children again. This is what brought me to your Chili pin! I love the idea of it because it seems so quick and easy, and more importantly from a moms standpoint, not spicy at all. So, I am wondering what kind of tomato soup you used in your Chili above? It just simply says tomato soup but no brand is listed. I am really looking forward to trying this recipe out. Thank you!
Chelsea Johnson says
It doesn’t matter what brand, as long as it is condensed tomato soup. I have used generic and I have used Campbell’s and haven’t noticed a difference.
Lynne says
Hi, Chelsea. I am making this recipe for a camping trip this weekend. I will be tripling the recipe as I am feeding eight adults. I am curious to know if since you’ve posted the original recipe, have you made any adjustments based on some of the comments from some of the other respondents? I don’t think I have ever tried a sweet chili and I’m not sure how it will be received by the men. I am very excited to try this!
Chelsea Johnson says
I’ve tried it with onion added and my husband and I did not like it as much. I’m planning on bringing this recipe to another chili cook-off at the end of the month, exactly how I’ve got it here! It’s hard to beat!
Katie says
I’m curious about not draining the meat? Is it not super greasy??
Chelsea Johnson says
I’ve never had a problem with it. If you’re worried, you can drain some of it off before adding it to the chili!
Paula Keenan says
I drain and rinse my meat. I buy higher fat ground beef b/c it’s much cheaper and then drain and rinse to bring the fat down and then add the other ingredients. Still tastes great.
Erin says
I came across this recipe this AM and made it—–sooo soo tasty and easy!!!!! I drained the meat, beans and rotel though. I like mine a bit thicker so it worked out perfectly. so so good thanks for sharing! Didnt have a ton of time so cooked high for 3 hours and low for 1
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m so glad you loved it!!! Thanks for sharing, Erin!
Lidia says
When you say “lean ground beef,” are you suggestin like a 90/10 beef?
Chelsea Johnson says
I think that’s what the ratio is. But honestly, you can use any kind of ground beef and it’s fine. I just usually buy the lean ground beef.
Paula says
Just a tip on ground beef. You can buy the cheapest ground beef. If you drain it and rinse it, it will actually be the same fat content as the leanest beef you can buy. I used to always spend extra on extra lean ground beef and haven’t bought it since. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/does-draining-and-rinsing-meat-reduce-fat-content/
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks for the tip, Paula!
Joe says
I stumbled across this recipe and have since made it several times! I love how simple yet flavorful it is. I’ve gotten several compliments on it. I currently have it simmering on the stove right now!
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s awesome! Glad I could help, Joe!
Caroline says
Hi Chelsea. I’m making this for a church chili cook off for next Sunday. I made it for my family and friends today as a “test” and my neighbor who doesn’t like spicy said she liked it. . I too thought it was good but a little heavy on tomato soup flavor. One of the comments states that they substituted sauce for one can of soup. I think I’ll try that and to make slightly thicker, drain the beans. I may also add a tsp of cumin.
Last year I entered a turkey chili in our church cook-off and didn’t place at all! I was disappointed, so my fingers are crossed for better results with your recipe!
Chelsea Johnson says
Good luck! I hope it turns out!
Caroline says
So, the verdict is in and I won! I received the People’s Choice Award for the best Chili! I did doctor a little…. added red beans and doubled the amount of beans so 2 cans black and 2 cans kidney. I also did 1/2 tomato soup and 1/2 tomato sauce. Last, I added about a TB cumin. Thanks for the idea!!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Congrats, Caroline! I’ll have to try it that way some time!
Dana says
This sounds delicious and definitely want to try it – what are your thoughts on doing it stovetop instead of crockpot???
Chelsea Johnson says
I’ve done it on the stovetop, too! It works great! Just make sure you keep it at the lowest temperature and stir it often, otherwise it will burn on the bottom.
Jerred Baldwin says
Would this chili change drastically if I cook it for 8 hours instead. I’ve made it before and it’s a favorite I. Our home I was just curious if I could get away with a couple more hours in the crock pot without ruining this wonderful chili.
Chelsea Johnson says
No, as long as you kept it on low it shouldn’t make a difference!
Kylee says
This looks delicious! I am entering a chili cook-off and would love to make this chili for it. However, I need to bring 2 gallons of chili… do you know if doubling or tripling this recipe would bring me to 2 gallons?
Chelsea Johnson says
Maybe tripling? I’ve never tripled it before. I doubled it a few weeks ago and it JUST BARELY fit in my crock pot. I’m pretty sure mine is a 4 qt. Good luck! I’m bringing it to one in a few weeks!
Sydney says
I’m bringing this to a Halloween cook-off and I’ve never made it before! Probably a dumb question, but when you double the recipe, do you just double all the ingredients? It just seems like a LOT of soup to me. Thanks in advance 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Yup! I used it for a potluck a few weeks ago and doubled all the ingredients. It’s perfect! Good luck!
Tiffany says
Wowza! I made this tonight and doubled it for my dad, husband, and myself. It was so incredible! So easy and delicious. We almost went out and got seasoning because it didn’t seem as if it’d develop such strong flavors but it did!!! Thank you! I can’t wait to make it again and eat the leftovers. I subbed beef with turkey and it was great. Made with a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread. Everyone had seconds!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Ooh, it would be extra good with jalapeno cheddar cornbread! Thanks for sharing, Tiffany! I’m glad you all liked it!
Jennifer Moore says
I have a chili cook off at work on Wednesday, due to not being able to have wheat I can’t have the condensed tomato soup. I do have GF tomato soup would that be okay to use instead?
Chelsea Johnson says
I haven’t ever tried it with that. I’m not sure how it would impact the flavor, but you’re welcome to try it!
Mindy Golde says
Making this tomorrow for a work chili cookoff. Everyone makes fun of me bc I don’t cook and they don’t believe me that I am bringing anything. Fingers crossed!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Good luck!!!