You have a bunch of friends coming over to watch the big game…what do you make to eat?! After being faced with this time after I time, I can now tell you, the way to go is to make a slow cooker chili bar for a party!
Everyone loves chili, and with a bunch of different toppings, there is something for even the pickiest of eaters!
The best part about this crock pot chili bar? Everything can be made ahead! AND since it’s a crock pot recipe, you just set it and forget it and it cooks itself. I hate slow cooker recipes where one has to brown things or cook things before they go in the crock pot, so the really amazing thing is that with this recipe the ingredients literally just go in the slow cooker!
One of the things that typically happens with parties is that most of the time, the host is busy in the kitchen! Well, not with this slow cooker chili bar.
The chili cooks itself to perfection in the slow cooker. This is the one I have – I actually have two of the exact same ones, just different colors and am thinking of getting a third, because they’re so awesome for parties. In fact, this past weekend I had a party and all the food was in the slow cookers (I made these 5 ingredient slow cooker cheesy potatoes) and it’s totally what I’m going to do from now on, it was so nice to have the food done and to be able to enjoy time with the guests.
This crockpot chili it so delicious. It has hints of spice and just the right combination of beans in it. After making this recipe many times, I will say that it turns out best when it’s cooked for 8 hours on low. Towards the end, it really comes together so that it’s thicker, versus soupy.
My husband now requests slow cooker chili bar for parties with his friends: football parties, wrestling parties (what to make for a WWE party is a topic of conversation I did not think I’d be having in my adult life lol) and family Sunday dinners.
You’ll definitely be the hostess with the mostess and everyone will love the different topping options. Here are the toppings I made with this bar:
- Tortilla chips
- Fritos
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Corn bread muffins
- Jalapenos
- Tater tots
- Green onions
Now I’d love to know – what are your favorite chili toppings?
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Chili Con Carne Made in an Instant Pot or Crockpot
- Vegan Red Lentil Chili
- Easy Sweet Chili Fish Tacos Recipe
How to make a slow cooker chili bar for a party
Ingredients
- For the chili:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium red or yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons of chipotles in adobo chopped (I used about 1 chipotle, use more if you like spicy)
- 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz white beans (such as cannellini or navy), drained and rinsed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika
- Chili toppings:
- green onions
- cilantro
- jalapeno slices
- avocado slices
- cheddar cheese shredded
- sour cream
- tater tots or fries
- corn bread muffins
- tortilla chips
- fritos
Instructions
- Put first three ingredients in a slow cooker (ground beef, chopped onion, garlic cloves) and break up the meat either with a spoon or with your hands. I just use my hands and massage the meat to break it up and incorporate the onions.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and turn on low and cook for 8 hours.
- A few times throughout cooking, stir the chili and break up the meat.
- Chili will thicken towards the end. Turn slow cooker setting on warm, and you can leave the chili in the slow cooker for hours and keep it nice and warm for guests. Serve with toppings of choice.
Nutrition
Rebecca says
Hi there, I love this idea and am going to make a chili bar for my son’s 1st birthday party. I’m curious about how many people does this chili recipe feed? Thank you!
Sweetphi says
So sorry i’m only responding now…i’d say this comfortably serves 8-10
Barb says
The chili recipe says to drain and rinse the black beans. Am I also supposed to drain and rinse the kidney and cannelli beans also? Or do I put the juices in the cooker also.
Sweetphi says
I like to drain and rinse all the beans (you could leave the juices though and it would be fine!) I’ll edit the recipe right away, thanks for pointing that out. I think you’ll absolutely love this recipe!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! This dish is so palatable and appetizing. I can’t wait to give it a try. Excellent party dish!
Sweetphi says
It’s definitely awesome for a party, I think you’ll love it 🙂
Sues says
This is such a heavenly idea for a fall/winter party! Also kind of a fabulous idea for just me and my husband 🙂
Sweetphi says
My hubby has requested this just for the two of us too, in that case I just 1/2 the recipe and only make our favorite toppings (fritos and sour cream with an avocado for me lol)! Btw, I’m totally reading through your book list and totally loving it, I’m 2 books in and am finishing a 3rd tonight!