Description

This Crockpot Root Beer Chili is a unique and flavorful twist on classic chili, featuring a rich blend of beans, ground beef, vegetables, and a surprising hint of root beer for a subtly sweet and smoky depth. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s easy to prepare and slow-cooked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 pounds lean ground beef, browned and drained
2 cups chopped peppers and onions (frozen or fresh)
3 cloves garlic, minced

Beans and Corn

1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can chili beans, do not drain
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounce) can mexi corn, drained

Tomato Products and Seasoning

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (1 ounce) envelope chili seasoning
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Liquids and Toppings

12 ounces Root Beer
Scallions, shredded cheese, and sour cream for topping

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Brown the lean ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked, then drain excess fat. If using fresh peppers and onions, chop them finely; if using frozen, simply measure out 2 cups.
Assemble Base: Add the browned ground beef, chopped peppers and onions, minced garlic, rinsed kidney beans, undrained chili beans, rinsed black beans, drained mexi corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies directly into your slow cooker.
Mix Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili seasoning packet, brown sugar, and root beer until you get a smooth, well-combined sauce.
Combine and Stir: Pour the sauce mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker and stir everything gently to combine all flavors evenly.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chili is rich, thick, and aromatic with melded flavors.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your choice of scallions, shredded cheese, and sour cream for a creamy finish. Enjoy warm!

Notes

For best flavor, use lean ground beef to reduce grease but keep richness.
Root beer adds a subtle sweetness and depth, but you can substitute with cola if preferred.
Adjust chili seasoning amount to taste or use homemade seasoning for a personalized spice level.
This chili freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips for a satisfying meal experience.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: Root Beer Chili, Crockpot Chili, Slow Cooker Chili, Unique Chili Recipe, Bean Chili, Comfort Food