Crock Pot chili?

[Pauline46]

Does anyone have a good crock pot chili recipe? I know how to make regular chili, but don't have much experience with the crock pot. Is it better in the crock pot?:confused:

[KatzNK9]

I make it both in the crockpot or on the stove ... I'm kinda the dump-n-taste chili maker so I can't help with a real recipe.

To me, it depends on the type of meat I'm using in the chili ... somtimes, I use just ground beef & sometimes I get pretty creative with combinations of pork tenderloin chunks & chicken & beef sirloin ... when I use all the "good meats", I like it to cook all day in the crockpot as I find it is more tender.

[cookiemama]

we have crock pots in england bit like a slow cooker, hubby does chilli in his (he's an excellent cook), he fries off mince etc in a wok and then bobs it all in the crock and lets it simmer away for the afternoon on low, its gorgeous!!!
didn't think the recepie would be much different just the cooking method, still we are from different continents so recepies may differ
mmmm chilli for tea!

[skunkstripe]

I miss my crock pot. You could put an old boot in there with tomato sauce and by the end of the day it would be tender. I agree with Cookiemama, you can use the same recipie. About the only difference is you can get away with a very cheap, tough cut of meat.

[Pauline46]

I would just use ground beef. Does it make everything mushy in the crockpot?

[cookiemama]

no just tender, just keep it on a low setting so it cooks slowly

[Pauline46]

Is using canned kidney beans Okay?

[cookiemama]

yep no problems using them!

[Pauline46]

Thanks CookieMama!!

[cookiemama]

Your welcome!

[KatzNK9]

Whenever I use ground beef, I brown it before putting it in the crockpot but I don't do ground beef often in the crock (no real reason why not, just that there's no reason to make it more tender). If you don't brown it first, you'll have a fatty mess.

I see no reason why you can't use canned kidney beans (but I'd consider the dry ones since you'll be cooking it all day anyway just to avoid the extra sodium that's always in canned foods ... but that's just me).

[Pauline46]

Katz, if I use the packaged beans, I think I have to soak them first. I made some baked beans in my crock pot and the recipe called for me to soak them first.

Thanks for the hint about the meat.

[KatzNK9]

Yes, you definitely have to soak them first. There are some types of beans (not sure on kidney beans) that you can do a fast soak method by rinsing first, then boiling them & simmering for 30 mins or so, then re-rinse & add to the crockpot. I did that just the other day with navy beans & it worked out great.

[Pauline46]

yep I used that method too. thanks katz!

[skunkstripe]

The dried beans take up a LOT of water so if you don't soak them enough beforehand the dish might run out of water.

[KatzNK9]

The dried beans take up a LOT of water so if you don't soak them enough beforehand the dish might run out of water.

Yes, I often have that trouble so I make sure to have plenty of tomatos to pulverize & add water too (more spices as necessary) as those beans act like sponges. I like the flavor that the beans soak up from the sauce. When my pot starts out, it always has lots of extra liquid but I often have to add more. I'm not a fan of kidney beans so I often leave them out of chili entirely or use a lesser amount than most people too.

This thread is making me hungry. Pauline ... when will dinner be ready?:p

[Pauline46]

Heh heh heh .........I want to make this for tomorrow. I am sick and my son and wife are coming over. I want something hot and easy.....lol

Sorry Katz, nothing tonight! Hey maybe you could make this tomorrow night!

[KatzNK9]

:D hehehehe ... I bet it is going to be great! You'll have to report in with your results.

[Vartan]

I'm....... my dog And I are willing to give it a taste test. Sounds yummy, love the hot stuff.