how to do chili in the crockpot?

BoxerMomma

i have a chili kit that requires two pounds of ground meat, 1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce and 2 8 ounce cans of water. i wanted to add some onions, bell peppers and diced tomatoes. can i cook it in the crockpot? do i brown the meat and veggies first, then add it all to the crockpot? i worry that it's just going to dry out if i do that all day. any suggestions are appreciated, as i am lacking in my chili-making knowledge.

Kitkatishbakk

I usually brown my meat with my veggies and then put it all in the crockpot. Make sure you just put it on low since everything is cooked and you just want the flavors to blend. I would also suggest adding a diced fresh jalapeno. The flavor is not overwhelming at all. Take all of the seeds out and it isn't too hot, either.

Spanishbeauty

I normally brown the meat and onions first.  I add corn and potatoes to my chili and don't cook them first.  The potatoes have to be diced rather small though to make sure they cook through.

Tomatoes and bell peppers should be fine.  With that much tomato sauce and water there should be plenty of liquid to keep it from drying out.

A&Jmom

yep, i always saute the onions and garlic and brown the meat first then throw in the crockpot.  Chili is better the longer it can simmer so putting it on low in the crockpot all day is perfect.

ec3under4

I start by saut?ing bell pepper and onion then I add the meat and some tomato paste and I let that all marry together for a while then I add salt, pepper, tomato paste and garlic. Then I transfer all that to the crockpot and add my other seasoning and liquid and let it cook down for atleast 6 hours. Yum

Taytee

To me, it defeats the purpose of using a crock pot if I have to mess with browning the meat first. More dishes + more time?? The flavor is superior if you go that route but if you don't mind it not tasting as bold, here's what I do.

I put the ground beef on the bottom, spice on top of that, tomatoes, water and then kidney beans (I know I'm a bad Texan). As long as the lid is on there, it won't dry out. The meat cooks and breaks down the first time you stir it. Just like the chicken breasts in KA's tacos fall to pieces. We don't use onions or peppers in our dishes per DH's request so I don't know how well those would do in the crockpot. I'd put them on top of the GB but before the tomatoes.

If you brown the meat, don't worry about browning it all the way through or that will dry it out. Obviously putting the meat in the crockpot uncooked doesn't let you drain off any fat so it's ideal for low fat ground beef but may not be as desirable if you're using 80/20. Something to think about.