Description
Simmering with nostalgic flavors, this crockpot hot dog chili recipe brings classic American comfort to your table. Hearty beans, rich spices, and tender meat create a soul-warming dish perfect for game days and family gatherings. You’ll love its simple preparation and crowd-pleasing taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef with onions in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat turns caramel-brown and onions become translucent.
- Beef Processing: Drain excess grease from meat mixture to concentrate flavors and ensure a clean base for the chili.
- Seasoning Fusion: Transfer beef to crockpot and incorporate tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, mustard, cumin, black pepper, salt, and optional cayenne pepper for heat.
- Liquid Integration: Add water to create a harmonious consistency and blend ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even coating of spices across the meat.
- Slow Cooking Technique: Cover crockpot and simmer on low heat for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and develop deep, layered flavors.
- Texture Refinement: Cook until chili reaches a thick, luxurious consistency perfect for topping hot dogs.
- Serving Enhancement: Garnish with optional toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, or jalapenos to personalize the dish.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent greasy, heavy chili and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Season Strategically: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding chili powder and cayenne pepper, tasting as you go to achieve perfect heat without overwhelming the palate.
- Manage Liquid Carefully: Add water sparingly to control consistency; too much liquid can dilute the rich, bold flavors of the chili.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Embrace the crockpot’s magic by choosing low heat for deeper flavor development, allowing seasonings to meld and intensify over several hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg