No-Bean Slow Cooker Chili
This no-bean slow cooker chili is built for mornings when you want dinner handled early. Lean ground beef, diced onion, garlic and bell peppers go into the crock pot with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and a warm spice blend. There are no beans in the mixture, and the tomato paste is stirred in about 30 minutes before serving so the chili thickens slightly. It is a straightforward chili recipe crockpot no beans version that lets the slow cooker do the work while you get on with your day.
Ingredients
- 2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 T olive oil
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bell peppers, diced (color of choice; we use 1 red and 1 green)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, not drained (approximately 15 oz. each; can use Rotel instead)
- 2 cans tomato sauce (approximately 15 oz. each)
- 2 T chili powder
- ½ T cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 T tomato paste (more as needed)

Brown the Beef and Onion
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it is hot, add the olive oil and let it heat up. Add the diced onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until they start to become translucent. Add the ground beef, breaking it into smaller pieces, and cook until it is browned and no longer pink in the center. Drain any excess grease.
Combine Everything in the Crock Pot
Add the cooked beef and onions to the crock pot, along with the minced garlic, diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, Worcestershire, pepper and salt. Stir well to combine. Hold off on the tomato paste for now.
Slow Cook on Low
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or until the peppers are softened as desired.
Thicken with Tomato Paste Before Serving
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the tomato paste and allow the chili to thicken slightly. If you prefer a thicker chili, add a little more tomato paste as needed.
Serve with Your Favorite Chili Toppings
Serve the chili warm with your favorite chili toppings. For more slow cooker dinners, try these Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs or this Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice.
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No-Bean Slow Cooker Chili (Chili Recipe Crockpot No Beans)
- Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This no-bean slow cooker chili combines browned lean ground beef, diced onion, garlic and bell peppers with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and a warm spice blend. It cooks low and slow, and the tomato paste is stirred in about 30 minutes before serving to thicken the chili slightly. Serve it warm with your favorite chili toppings.
Ingredients
- 2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 T olive oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 bell peppers, diced ((color of choice, we use 1 red and 1 green))
- 2 cans diced tomatoes not drained (approx. 15 oz.) (can use rotel instead)
- 2 cans tomato sauce (approx. 15 oz.)
- 2 T chili powder
- ½ T cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 T tomato paste (more as needed)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and allow to heat up. Add the diced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until they start to become translucent. Add the ground beef, breaking into smaller pieces and cook until browned and no longer pink in center. Drain excess grease.
- Add the cooked beef and onions to the…: Add the cooked beef and onions to the crock pot along with all other ingredients except the tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low…: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the peppers are softened as desired.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the…: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the tomato paste and allow the chili to thicken slightly. Serve with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Tomato paste can be increased slightly if a thicker chili is preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner Ideas
- Method: slow cooker
