Can I Make Chili in Crock Pot With Frozen Beef

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This Crockpot Chili is easy to make and includes instructions for making it into a freezer meal with complete how-to freeze chili directions!

You can make this recipe for eight servings for a total of $15.41. It costs $1.93 per serving.

We love making chili during those long summer months. Along with this Crockpot Chili, we also love our Crock Pot White Chicken Chili and our Ground Turkey Chili.

A ladle picking up some of the crockpot chili.

Eating a bowl full of chili on a cold night is the perfect remedy for those winter blues, and it is something almost everyone enjoys. Cooking chili in a crockpot gives the beef a juicy and rich flavor. The flavors have the chance to meld together into a hearty and filling dish.

Making this Chili recipe in the crockpot is incredibly easy! After dumping in the ingredients, you can set it and forget it!

Cook the chili on low for four to five hours and come back to a delicious aroma filling your house that is even better tasting than it smells!

Our favorite part of this recipe is how well it does in the freezer. This is a great meal to freeze for a busy day, take to a potluck, give to a needy family, etc.

In addition, our recipe includes instructions for cooking the chili in a slow cooker and freezing it for later. Either way, this Crockpot Chili will be a hit!

A picture of the freezer chili in freezer bags.

Ingredients & Cost

Recipe Cost: $15.41

Per Serving: $1.93

2 pounds lean ground beef – $6.66
(2) 10.5 oz can tomato soup – $1.16
2 ½ cups water – $0.00
2 medium yellow onions – $0.96
(2) 15 oz can chili beans – $1.72
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce – $0.15
(2) 16 0z cans pinto beans – $2.00
2 Tablespoons garlic salt – $0.18
(2) 10 oz cans Rotel with green chiles – $1.96
6 Tablespoons chili powder – $0.54
1 teaspoon ground cumin – $0.03
1 teaspoon black pepper – $0.05

To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

An overhead picture of all of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Instead of ground beef you can use ground turkey or chicken.
Instead of pinto beans you can use black beans or red kidney beans.
Sometimes we like to mix things up and use 2 ½ cups of chunky salsa instead of Rotel.

STORAGE TIPS

SERVE: Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

STORE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FREEZE: This recipe will fit in (2) gallon-size freezer bags. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.

COOK'S TOOLS

Slow cooker
Measuring spoons
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Wooden mixing spoon
Large Skillet
Cutting board
Chef's knife

RECIPE FAQs

Can you put raw ground beef in a slow cooker?

Technically, you can put raw ground beef in a crockpot. However, we prefer to brown it first in this recipe. Browning the meat allows the meat to caramelize, creating a bold and rich flavor that is hard to resist. It makes a big difference in the overall taste of the chili, which is hearty and robust.

What is the best secret ingredient for chili?

Our secret ingredient is Worcestershire sauce. It adds a depth of flavor that is savory and satisfying.

Does chili freeze well?

Chili is a great meal to freeze. We like to make a double batch to eat one and freeze one. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Then, it is simple to defrost and place in the slow cooker to cook on low for an easy meal when you need it.

Two bowls of the crockpot chili and topping on the side.

GET KIDS INVOLVED

Ages 2-3: Have your child add the ingredients into the crockpot. They can count the number of ingredients as they dump them in.

Ages 4-5: Introduce your child to measuring spoons, teaching them how to measure the spices to add into the slow cooker.

Ages 6-8: Teach your child to use a meat masher for cooking the meat before adding and cooking the onions.

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

BUDGET TIPS

We love to make this recipe to store in the freezer. It is great to pull out when you need a meal to take to someone or when you have a busy day ahead of you. Save money on eating out and keep a few freezer meals on hand instead!

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES

Crockpot Crack Chicken
Lasagna Soup
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Broccoli Casserole
Cranberry Meatballs
Machaca Burritos
Italian Harvest Soup
Chicken Gnocchi Soup – Olive Garden Copycat
Papa's Gone All Day Stew

A close up of the finished crockpot chili in a soup ladle.

Crockpot Chili

Recipe Cost 15.41

Serving Cost 1.93

Course main dish

Cuisine American

This Crockpot Chili is easy to make and includes instructions for making it into a freezer meal with complete how-to freeze chili directions!

Servings: 8 people

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 3 hrs

Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins

slow cooker
Measuring spoons
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Wooden mixing spoon
large skillet
cutting board
chef's knife

2 pounds lean ground beef
(2) 10.75-oz cans tomato soup
2 ½ cups water
2 medium yellow onions diced finely
(2) 15-oz cans chili beans drained, mild or hot
(2) 16-oz cans pinto beans rinsed and drained
(2) 10-oz cans Rotel with green chiles
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons garlic salt
6 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper

FOR SERVING: (all optional)

Sliced jalapenos
Shredded Mexican cheese
Corn chips
Sour cream
Sliced green onion

COOK MEAT AND ONIONS:

In a large 12- inch skillet cook ground beef over medium-high heat until almost cooked all the way through.
Add onions and cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes **see freezing instructions below
Drain off the grease and add the meat and onions to the crockpot.
Add all other ingredients to crockpot.
Stir well.
Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS:

Label 2 large freezer bags or containers with the recipe name, date, and cooking instructions.
After cooking the ground beef and onions, add them to the freezer bags or containers.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Remove as much air as possible, then seal and freeze for up to three months.
TO COOK: Remove the chili from freezer the night before cooking.
Place the chili in the crockpot with 1 cup of extra water per freezer bag and cook LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.

This recipe will fit in (2) gallon-size freezer bags.

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Source: https://easybudgetrecipes.com/crockpot-chili-and-how-to-freeze-chili/

Can I Make Chili in Crock Pot With Frozen Beef

Ingredients & Cost