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.
Christina says
This has been one of my favorite crock pot recipes for years! I don’t change a thing. Love the garnish of shredded cheese and sour cream. Thanks for sharing!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks, Christina! It’s one of our favorites, too! I tried adding in onions like someone suggested once and we all agreed it wasn’t as good. We keep it how it is here now, too! Simple is best (with cheese and sour cream, of course!).
Apryl says
Hey Chelsea I was just wondering if I make this on the stove about how long would I let it cook for with steering it on low on stovetop.?
Chelsea Johnson says
I make it on the stove sometimes, and as long as it’s heated through and has had some time to sit, it will still be good. It’s best in the crock pot though, because it can burn or get a crust on top when you have it on the stove.
Roguewave1 says
No chili powder, no cumin, no oregano, no peppers (Other than what’s in the Rotel tomatoes), so why use the name “chili” in this stew?
Chelsea Johnson says
Because it’s my recipe and I personally think chili is a combo of meat and beans. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to try it!
Rose says
Ha! Great response for a jerky comment.
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks 🙂 some people!
Sara says
Hello,
This looks so simple and delicious! I would love to make this for a super bowl party I’m hosting. There will be about 8 adults and several children so I was planning to at triple the recipe. My question is, do you suggest tripling the meat as well or just the other ingredients? I’m sure it’s a silly question but it just started sounding like a lot of meat so was curious your method when feeding a crowd with it? Thank you so much!
Chelsea Johnson says
Do you have a big crock pot? I doubled this once (yes, doubling the meat) and it didn’t quite fit in my medium-sized crock pot. I would definitely recommend tripling all the ingredients, otherwise it won’t have the same consistency.
Leah says
I made this for my church’s chili cook off! This was my first year participating and there were over 20 different kinds of chili and I took second place along with the kids choice award!!!! (I lost by just two votes). Didn’t even have any left to take home. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Congrats! That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear it!
Uncraftymama says
My 8 year old made this recipe as posted (apart from elk over beef) and just walked off with first place against some long time, small town chili cookoff pros. The gal that headed up the cookoff told me that she got the most votes by far.
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s awesome! Way to go! And what a creative way to make it her own!!
Caitlin says
I’ve been making this for years now and always come back to this pinned post. It’s a family favorite! Has anyone converted this to be done in an Instantpot? Is it even possible?
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks, Caitlin! That made my day! And I haven’t done it in an instant pot yet, but maybe I’ll have to try it!
Anne says
What size diced tomatoes? 28?
Chelsea Johnson says
I use a 10oz can of Rotel.
Kristi says
I have this in the crockpot right now and just read through every single comment. It’s so weird that it’s only 5 ingredients and I was afraid I did something wrong. After reading all of the feedback from over the years I can’t wait until we get to try it tonight!
Chelsea Johnson says
I hope it turned out great! I know it seems crazy that something so yummy takes so few ingredients!
Linda Gledhill says
Do you drain and rinse the beans?
Chelsea Johnson says
No, I just pour them in, juice and all.
Beth Whitaker says
Hi Chelsea,
I am tripping this recipe and just realized I only have 4 cans of tomato soup. Yikes! Any suggestions?
Chelsea Johnson says
Go to the store?
Melanie says
Has anyone tried freezing this for meal prep?
Chelsea Johnson says
I have not, but I hope someone else shares that they have!
Melanie says
I did freeze it! In mason jars. I’ve actually done it multiple times already. It’s the perfect meal prep idea.
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s awesome! Happy to hear it!
Angelica Santillan says
Hi there! Do you know how many people this will serve? 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
About 4, if everyone has a full bowl. If there are other things being served, maybe 6? I would double it if you’re feeding a crowd!