Slow Cooker Ranch Chili

Slow Cooker Ranch Chili – THE ULTIMATE chili recipe!! Ground beef, stew meat, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, chili beans, beef broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic and Ranch dressing mix. This has all the best from all of my chili recipes. It is the BEST chili recipe! Great for a crowd! Serve with some cornbread for a quick and easy meal!

bowl of chili on a table with text overlay

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Crock Pot Chili Recipe

This Slow Cooker Ranch Chili is an absolute flavor sensation that captures the heartwarming essence of comfort food. This delightful dish boasts a symphony of savory ingredients, from ground beef and tender stew meat to a harmonious blend of spices and seasonings. The result is a rich and hearty chili that’s infused with a tantalizing mix of flavors. The chili beans and diced tomatoes add depth, while the Rotel tomatoes provide a hint of zest, all simmering together in a beefy broth.

The secret ingredient, ranch dressing mix, lends a unique and delicious twist, giving the chili a creamy and slightly tangy note. After slow-cooking for hours, the flavors meld together beautifully, creating a thick, aromatic chili that’s the perfect balance of spice and comfort. Served piping hot and garnished with your favorite chili toppings, this slow cooker ranch chili is a bowl of pure satisfaction that will warm your soul with each spoonful. It’s a recipe that’s perfect for chilly evenings, game day gatherings, or whenever you crave a hearty, heartwarming meal.

bowl of chili on a table

How to Make Slow Cooker Ranch Chili

This dish is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess grease and add the cooked meat to the slow cooker. In the same skillet, add the stew meat and cook just until browned about 3 or 4 minutes. Add the browned stew meat to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients to the beef mixture: onion, chili beans, diced tomatoes, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, beef broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, Ranch seasoning, and water. Stir well. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW until the stew meat is tender. 

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
  • Variations/Additions:
    • yellow onions
    • green bell pepper
    • chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • black beans
    • kidney beans
    • navy beans
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • cayenne pepper
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
  • Short on time? You can cook the chili on HIGH for half the time.
  • Can I make Crockpot Chili Recipe on the stovetop? Yes! In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and stew meat. Drain excess grease. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low heat and simmer until the stew meat is tender. 
  • Can I freeze Ranch Chili? Yes! Cook the chili and cool to room temperature. Transfer the chili to freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
    • Thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
bowl of chili on a table

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

This chili has quickly become a family favorite. It is so easy to make and it is bursting with flavor! When it comes to serving the mouthwatering slow cooker ranch chili, you have a world of delicious possibilities to consider. A classic choice is a basket of warm, buttery cornbread or a side of fluffy, buttered biscuits, perfect for sopping up every last bit of chili goodness. If you’re looking to add some freshness, a crisp garden salad with a zesty vinaigrette can provide a lovely contrast to the hearty flavors of the chili.

You can also offer a variety of toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, jalapenos, and chopped cilantro, allowing everyone to customize their bowl to perfection. For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, a side of tortilla chips or corn chips is an excellent choice. Leftover chili is great served over a baked potato or on top of a hot dog for the best chili dogs around! Whichever sides you choose, they’ll elevate your slow cooker ranch chili into a complete and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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bowl of chili on a table with text overlay

Slow Cooker Ranch Chili

Yield: 8 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Slow Cooker Ranch Chili – THE ULTIMATE chili recipe!! Ground beef, stew meat, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, chili beans, beef broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic and Ranch dressing mix. This has all the best from all of my chili recipes. It is the BEST chili recipe! Great for a crowd! Serve with some cornbread for a quick and easy meal!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ -lb ground beef
  • 1 ¼ -lb stew meat
  • 2 Tbsp minced onion flakes
  • 1 (15-oz) chili beans, undrained
  • 1 (15-oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes and diced green chiles, undrained
  • 1 (14.5-oz) can beef broth
  • 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 (1-oz) package ranch dressing mix
  • ¼ cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain fat and add to slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook the stew meat just until browned, about 3 or 4 minutes. Add to slow cooker.
  • Add remaining ingredients, cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.

Notes:

  • Can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
  • Variations/Additions:
    • yellow onions
    • green bell pepper
    • chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • black beans
    • kidney beans
    • navy beans
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • cayenne pepper
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
  • Short on time? You can cook the chili on HIGH for half the time.
  • Can I make Crockpot Chili Recipe on the stovetop? Yes! In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and stew meat. Drain excess grease. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low heat and simmer until the stew meat is tender. 
  • Can I freeze Ranch Chili? Yes! Cook the chili and cool to room temperature. Transfer the chili to freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
    • Thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Steph

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Comments

  1. I have used this recipe for a long time now when I make chili and it is always delicious! I have shared it with family members and friends who like it as well.

    1. Personally if you are not real tolerant to heat, you would want to calm it down but I like the taste as it is but it does have some heat. I do not know what you would replace or change but it is a "hot" chili with this amount.

    2. We didn't think it was hot. This is a HUGE pot of chili. It won't have much chili flavor with less chili powder.

      Make sure to use mild Rotel in this if you are sensitive to heat.

    1. Thanks for info. Now I can get to cooking…I added a few bell peppers just because I like them more than anything.

  2. I live in Michigan and chili is my winter comfort food. I am going to give your recipe a try, but a couple of questions:
    1. 1/4 CUP of chili powder??
    2. wouldn't chopped onion and minced garlic be better than powder?
    I also add 1lb of elbow noodles to my crock-pot while cooking.. really good and filling. I serve with saltine crackers.
    Keep the recipes coming, I love it/them!!
    Jim

    1. #1 – yes
      #2 – you can certainly use whatever you wish
      I have a chili mac recipe on the blog. It is a good recipe as well.

    1. If you go to your store and look on the aisle with canned beans you'll see Chili Beans on the label. Don't know exactly what type of bean it is but the words Chili Beans will be on the label – just like Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans, etc. is on labels.

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