How to Make Slow Cooker Chili: Tips and Recipes

Tips for Making Chili

1. To make the best chili feel free to purchase economical cuts of meat. The slow braising technique suggested for chili does better with inexpensive stew meats like chuck roast, rump roast or sirloin. Ground meats are also good choices for your recipe. For vegetarian chili tofu cubes or crumbles are suggested instead of meat.

2. Take time to brown your meat first on all sides before putting in additional ingredients. If you put a piece of meat in the pot right out of the refrigerator it will not brown properly. The meat can end up steaming in its own brownish juices and lose its flavor content.

3. Beans are a big staple that most people include in their chili recipes. Kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and white beans are all worthy of being considered for your chili dish. Canned beans are acceptable for your recipe. Rinse off beans before adding if you are concerned they have a high salt content. Dried beans are actually the most preferred to use, as canned beans sometimes turn mushy. The dried beans should sit in salt water at least two hours before adding to your dish.

4. Getting the spices right for your chili recipe is a balancing act. All chili recipes should contain some cumin and coriander. Some Cayenne, chili powder, and paprika should also be highly considered. A touch of cinnamon, clove and a smidge of star anise may also add to your flavor content. You can purchase chili seasoning packets at the store as well. Putting each seasoning in and tasting your dish until you feel the mixture is just right is important in putting out the best final product. 

5. Water or store-bought stock would be fine to use, but the best tasting chili usually has stock that is homemade. 

6. Don't rush cooking your dish. If you rush your chili you could end up with beans that are only half-way cooked, meat that is bland and not thoroughly cooked and chili that has a thin consistency. Leave the proper amount of time for your chili to simmer into the ultimate great dish. 

7. Fresh tomatoes are also a great option to use in your chili. Many recipes call for canned or diced tomatoes. In any case, add in the tomatoes toward the end of the cooking process. 

8. Adding a little bit of Mexican chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, or cocoa powder will enhance some of the subtle flavors and help to add more depth to your dish. Brewed coffee or espresso powder can also be used to move your chili into a new flavor direction.

9. You should always serve toppings with your chili. Some popular toppings include shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and chopped onions. Corn bread is also very common now to pair with your chili. 

Types of Chili

1. Cincinatti-Style Chili: This style of chili includes cinnamon, clove, and a touch of unsweetened chocolate, with a spaghetti garnish.
   
   - Lisa's Slow Cooker Cinncinatti Chili

2. Texas Chili: Beef chili that includes no beans. That's how Texans like it. 
   
   - Dump and Go Texas Slow Cooker Chili

3. Chili Con Carne: This chili is known as a spicy stew containing chili peppers, meat, and often tomatoes and beans. 
   
   - Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne

4. Chile Verde: This is a Mexican-inspired chili dish with pork simmered in tomatillos and chiles. Some may put this in a burrito with rice and refried beans.
   
   - Slow Cooker Pork Chili Verde

5. Vegetarian Chili: Use some vegetables, vegetable broth, tomatoes or tomato broth, and a variety of seasonings. Great meatless dish to offer.
   
   - Healthy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Chili

6. Chicken Chili: A change from the traditional beef chili dishes. Some chicken chili dishes tend to use white beans. Something delicious and different.
   
   - Cheese Chipotle Chicken Chili

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