Easy Homemade Crockpot Hot Dog Chili Recipe for Game Day

Crafting a mouthwatering crockpot hot dog chili demands minimal effort and maximum flavor!

Slow cooking brings out rich, deep tastes that make classic comfort food sing.

Weeknight dinners become effortless with this simple approach to hearty chili.

Meat lovers will appreciate the tender, perfectly seasoned protein that simmers all day.

Weekend game gatherings suddenly feel special when this delicious dish appears.

Perfectly balanced spices create a warm, inviting aroma that draws everyone to the table.

Serve this chili over hot dogs and watch smiles spread across hungry faces.

Why Crockpot Hot Dog Chili Is A Crowd Favorite

• Slow-Cook Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying chili packed with complex, layered tastes that develop beautifully during low and slow cooking.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for flexible dining, this chili works brilliantly as a hot dog topping, standalone meal, or crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings and potlucks with minimal preparation.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily personalize the chili by adjusting spice levels, adding toppings like cheese or sour cream, or incorporating additional vegetables to match your taste preferences and nutritional goals.
• Minimal Hands-On Cooking: Using a crockpot means you can set the ingredients and walk away, allowing the meal to cook itself while you tackle other tasks or simply relax.

What You’ll Need For Crockpot Hot Dog Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substantial texture to the chili.
• Ground Pork: Adds depth and extra richness to the meat mixture, enhancing the overall taste profile.

• Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: These spices create a complex and warming flavor foundation that gives the chili its signature depth and warmth.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy and umami element that deepens the overall savoriness of the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that balances the spices and adds complexity to the chili.

• Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Creates the rich, thick base that gives the chili its classic texture and provides a robust tomato flavor.
• Water: Helps to create the right consistency and allows flavors to meld together.
• Onion, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that build a foundational flavor profile and add natural sweetness and depth to the chili.

Simple Directions For Crockpot Hot Dog Chili

Step 1: Brown the Meat Mixture

Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Combine ground beef and ground pork, breaking them down into tiny crumbles. Cook until the meat loses all pink coloration and develops a rich, golden-brown appearance.

Step 2: Transfer to Crockpot

Move the browned meat into the crockpot, carefully draining any excess grease to keep the chili lean and flavorful.

Step 3: Season the Meat

• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Add Aromatics

Incorporate finely chopped onion and minced garlic, mixing them thoroughly throughout the meat mixture to build a deep flavor base.

Step 5: Pour in Liquid Ingredients

• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Water
• Worcestershire sauce
• Brown sugar

Stir everything completely to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

Step 6: Slow Cook the Chili

Cover the crockpot and set it to low heat. Allow the chili to simmer and develop rich, complex flavors for 4-6 hours.

Step 7: Prevent Sticking

Occasionally stir the chili during cooking to prevent any ingredients from sticking to the bottom and to maintain a consistent texture.

Step 8: Final Flavor Check

Once cooking is complete, taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed. Ensure a perfectly balanced and robust flavor profile.

Step 9: Rest and Thicken

Let the chili rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and gives the sauce a chance to slightly thicken.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the chili piping hot. It’s perfect as a classic hot dog topping or as a hearty standalone dish that’ll warm you right up.

Tips To Make Crockpot Hot Dog Chili Even Better

• Drain Thoroughly: Remove excess fat from browned meat to prevent greasy, heavy chili and ensure a cleaner, more robust flavor profile.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and black pepper to match your heat preference, starting with less and gradually increasing for perfect seasoning.
• Enhance Texture: Break meat into fine, uniform crumbles while browning to create a consistent, smooth chili without large chunks.
• Slow Cook Wisely: Stir occasionally during 4-6 hour cooking time to prevent bottom burning and distribute spices evenly throughout the dish.
• Rest and Thicken: Allow chili to sit 10-15 minutes after cooking, which helps sauce develop deeper flavors and achieve ideal thickness.

Chili Twists For Crockpot Hot Dog Chili

• Vegetarian Bean Chili: Replace ground beef and pork with black beans, kidney beans, and lentils for a protein-packed plant-based version.
• Lean Protein Chili: Swap ground meats with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Add diced green chilies, increase chili powder, and include jalapeños for an extra heat-packed culinary experience.
• Keto-Friendly Chili: Eliminate brown sugar, use cauliflower rice instead of traditional beans, and increase fatty meat content for low-carb dieters.

Perfect Sides For Crockpot Hot Dog Chili

• A robust Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich meat and spices, cutting through the hearty chili with its tannic structure and deep fruit notes.
• Creamy, tangy coleslaw provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, spicy chili, adding textural variety and balancing the meat's intensity.
• Soft, slightly sweet cornbread absorbs the chili's savory sauce, creating a perfect bite that bridges the dish's bold flavors and adds comforting texture.

How To Save Crockpot Hot Dog Chili

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping chili fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 4-6 months.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Warm chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until hot and steaming.

Your Crockpot Hot Dog Chili Questions Answered

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork in this chili recipe?

Using a combination of ground beef and ground pork adds deeper flavor complexity and creates a richer, more interesting meat texture compared to using just one type of meat.

• How can I make the chili less spicy?

Reduce or omit the chili powder and black pepper. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt when serving to help cool down the heat.

• Is it necessary to brown the meat before putting it in the crockpot?

Yes, browning the meat first develops a deeper flavor through caramelization and helps remove excess fat, which results in a more concentrated and tasty chili.

Crockpot Hot Dog Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot hot dog chili brings classic comfort straight from American kitchens to your dinner table. Slow-simmered spices and rich ground beef create a mouthwatering sauce that elevates simple hot dogs into a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Base and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and ground pork together, breaking the meat into fine crumbles until no pink remains.
2. Transfer the browned meat to the crockpot, ensuring to drain any excess grease during the process.
3. Sprinkle all dry spices – chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper – directly over the meat in the crockpot.
4. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat mixture, distributing evenly throughout.
5. Pour tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar into the crockpot, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
6. Cover the crockpot and set to low heat, allowing the chili to simmer and develop rich flavors for 4-6 hours.
7. Stir the chili occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure consistent texture.
8. Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor profile.
9. Let the chili rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
10. Serve hot as a classic topping for hot dogs or as a standalone chili dish.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef and pork with 80/20 fat ratio for rich flavor without excessive grease.
• Spice Precision: Toast dry spices briefly in a skillet before adding to enhance their aromatic depth and intensify overall taste.
• Texture Control: Finely crumble meat during browning to ensure smooth, consistent chili without large meat chunks.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap ground meats with plant-based crumbles or lentils for vegetarian version, maintaining similar texture and protein content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-6 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg