Cozy Slow Cooker Halloween Potluck Chili: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe
A simple, flavorful slow cooker chili made with just five ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and spooky season gatherings, this dish offers a warm, comforting meal with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (Low) or 3-4 hours (High)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (Low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (High)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large jar (26 oz) mild salsa
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if desired.
- Transfer the browned beef into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the drained kidney beans, the entire jar of salsa, chili powder, and ground cumin.
- Stir everything together until well combined. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Once cooking is complete, give the chili a good stir. Let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with favorite toppings.
Notes
For a thicker consistency, mash a few beans against the side of the pot or leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. To make it vegetarian, swap ground beef for extra beans or a plant-based substitute. For a smoky flavor, use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of mild salsa. The flavors often improve after a day or two.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 24
Keywords: slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, halloween potluck, 5-ingredient recipe, ground beef chili, kidney bean chili, fall recipes, comfort food