Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Ultimate Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners - Featured Image

Ultimate Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Learn how to make delicious Chili Meatballs Crockpot. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but adds great depth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (balances the acidity)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce on hand, a splash of soy sauce or extra beef broth works just fine. And if you want to sneak in some veggies, shredded carrots or finely diced bell peppers mix right into the meatballs without complaint from the kids—trust me, I’ve tested this multiple times!

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently with your hands until just combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough. Pro tip: I like to wear gloves or use a fork to keep my hands from getting too messy, especially during busy evenings.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. I usually make about 20 meatballs from this batch.
  3. Optional but helpful: Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side. This step adds flavor and helps them hold together, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this and put them straight into the Crockpot.
  4. In the Crockpot, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir to mix everything well.
  5. Carefully add the meatballs into the Crockpot, nestling them gently into the chili sauce. Give everything a little swirl to make sure meatballs are coated but not broken.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The long, slow simmer lets the meatballs soak up the chili flavors and become tender without drying out.
  7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a pinch more salt or chili powder brings it all home. Sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy (or just want to fool the kids into thinking it’s fancy).

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Chili Meatballs Crockpot, recipe, cooking, food