Slow Cooker Ground Pork and Pinto Bean Chili

This slow cooker chili is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner. With just four ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can have a hearty, flavorful meal waiting for you at the end of a busy day.

Ground pork, pinto beans, and chili seasoning simmer together with crushed tomatoes for a rich, satisfying bowl of chili that the whole family will love.

Chili is a classic comfort food, and this version made with ground pork and pinto beans is as easy as it gets. The slow cooker does all the work, turning simple ingredients into a deeply savory dish.

Whether you're feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this chili is a reliable, hands-off option that delivers big on taste without any fuss.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

Cooking chili in a slow cooker allows the flavors to develop slowly and meld together, resulting in a more complex and robust taste.

The low, steady heat breaks down the pork and beans, creating a tender, hearty texture that is hard to achieve with quick stovetop methods. The long cooking time also means you can set it in the morning and come home to a ready meal.

The layering of ingredients—pork on the bottom, beans on top, and tomatoes poured over—ensures even cooking and prevents the pork from drying out.

The tomatoes create a moist environment that keeps everything juicy while the seasoning infuses every bite. This method is foolproof and requires minimal stirring, making it perfect for busy cooks.

Notes and substitutions

For the best texture, use ground pork with a bit of fat (80/20). Lean ground pork can be used, but the chili may be slightly drier. If you prefer a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans before adding them, or remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let excess liquid evaporate.

Chili seasoning blends vary in heat and salt content. Taste the chili before serving and adjust with extra chili powder, cumin, or salt as needed. If you have a favorite homemade chili seasoning, feel free to use it in place of the store-bought blend. The amount of seasoning can be adjusted to your preference.

• ground pork: ground beef or ground turkey can be used instead; adjust cooking time if needed.
• chili seasoning: Use 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder as a homemade substitute.
• pinto beans: Kidney beans or black beans work well in this chili.

Equipment

• Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
• Large spoon for stirring
• Can opener