Crockpot Root Beer Chili
Root beer in chili?! I know, this one might sound a little bit out there, but trust me when I say that it really works! You see, I know so many of you have enjoyed the classic crockpot recipes I’ve shared over the past few years, and so I made it my mission to bring you some creative spins on the usual dishes that are likely to be in your rotation.
That’s how this recipe first came to life, and if you love a super easy slow cooked dish but you’re bored of the old favorites, this is one to try!
And no, it doesn’t taste like a soda float. The root beer melts right into the tomatoes, spices, and beef, adding a subtle sweetness and depth that balances the heat and acidity. Think of it as a secret ingredient that makes the chili richer, rounder, and just a little more fun. The end result is everything you love in a classic chili — hearty beef, beans, peppers, and plenty of spice — with a flavor that keeps people guessing (in the best possible way)!
(I think you’ll also enjoy my crockpot cranberry apricot chicken, crockpot swamp potatoes, crockpot apple butter pork chops, and crockpot taco meat – let me know which ones you try!)
Ingredients
Looking for the printable recipe card? It’s at the bottom of this post, and it covers ingredients, measurements, and instructions. Don’t skip the next few sections though, where I’ll be sharing more hints and tips for making this dish in your own kitchen.
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Lean ground beef – Browning and draining first keeps the chili from getting greasy while still giving you that hearty, meaty base.
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Peppers and onion – Fresh or frozen both work — frozen saves time and still adds plenty of flavor.
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Garlic – A few cloves give the chili its savory backbone.
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Beans – A mix of kidney, chili beans, and black beans makes the chili hearty and adds different textures. Rinse and drain the kidney and black beans, but keep the liquid with the chili beans for extra flavor.
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Mexi corn – Adds sweetness and pops of color. Regular canned corn works fine too.
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Diced tomatoes with green chilis – Brings acidity and just a little heat.
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Tomato sauce & tomato paste – Thickens the chili and makes it rich and tomato-forward.
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Chili seasoning – A packet makes it easy, but you can swap in your own spice blend if you prefer homemade.
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Brown sugar – Balances the acidity and spice with a touch of sweetness.
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Root beer – The secret ingredient! It adds sweetness, depth, and a hint of spice that makes this chili stand out.
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Toppings – Scallions, shredded cheese, and sour cream are the classics, but you can pile on jalapeños, tortilla chips, or avocado too.
How To Make Crockpot Root Beer Chili
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Add the ground beef, peppers, onions, garlic, beans, corn, and tomatoes with green chilies straight into your slow cooker.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili seasoning, brown sugar, and root beer until smooth.
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Pour the sauce mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker and give everything a quick stir.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chili is rich, thick, and cozy.
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Ladle into bowls, pile on your favorite toppings, and dig in!
Recipe Notes
For the best flavor, always brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker, as it keeps the chili from being greasy and adds a richer taste.
Don’t skip the root beer either; it won’t make the chili taste like soda, but instead deepens the flavor and adds a subtle sweetness.
To save yourself scrubbing later, use a slow cooker liner if you want, since chili has a habit of sticking.
If you prefer a thicker chili, just take the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate.
And like most chilis, this one tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld together!
Variations
If you like your chili on the spicier side, add jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce for extra heat! For a smoky twist, stir in some chipotle chili powder or smoked paprika. Want it extra hearty? Use a mix of ground beef and ground sausage for a meaty version that’s super rich and flavorful. To make it vegetarian, simply skip the beef and add more beans, lentils, or even quinoa. And if you’re in the mood for comfort food, spoon the chili over macaroni noodles, top with cheddar, and you’ve got a homemade chili mac dinner! As you can see, this one’s super versatile and you can really make it your own.
Serving Ideas
This root beer chili is a fall favorite, perfect for chilly nights when you want something warm and hearty!
Ladle it into big bowls for a cozy weeknight dinner, or set out a toppings bar with cheese, scallions, and chips so everyone can make their own.
It’s a total win for game day spreads too, since it feeds a crowd and stays warm in the slow cooker.
I also love this one over rice or baked potatoes!
Crockpot Root Beer Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef browned and drained
- 2 cups chopped peppers and onion I use frozen
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15 ounce can chili beans, do not drain
- 1 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 11 ounce can mexi corn, drained
- 1 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 1 ounce envelope chili seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 12 ounce Root Beer
- Scallions cheese, sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Add the ground beef, peppers, onions, garlic, beans, corn, and tomatoes with green chilies straight into your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili seasoning, brown sugar, and root beer until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker and give everything a quick stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chili is rich, thick, and cozy.
- Ladle into bowls, pile on your favorite toppings, and dig in!
I hope this crockpot root beer chili earns a spot on your regular rotation this fall and winter! If you try it, please do take a moment to leave a star rating and a comment below. It really makes my day to hear about what you’ve been cooking, and it also helps other readers to discover recipes they’ll love too. Oh, and remember to tag me in your photos on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
