• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Contact
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
BlogLovin'
RSS

Valerie's Kitchen

Simple, seasonal home cooking

  • Recipe Box
  • Videos
  • The Cookbook
  • Beyond the Kitchen
Home » Main Dish » Soups, Stews, and Chilis » Slow Cooker Salsa Chili

Slow Cooker Salsa Chili

By Valerie · December 26, 2017 · Updated May 23, 2020 5 Comments

CP Slow Cooker H Holidays MD Main Dish
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

A two image vertical collage of Slow Cooker Salsa Chili with text overlay.

With just 15 minutes of prep time you’ll have this beefy Slow Cooker Salsa Chili simmering away for a fun game day meal or no-fuss dinner on a busy day.

A bowl of chili with toppings on a colorful cloth.

This post has been sponsored by Fresh Cravings. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I crave Mexican flavors all the time, but even more so at this time of year. All of the traditional holiday fare we’ve consumed over the past couple of months just puts me in the mood for something different, fun and flavorful.

Whether you’re still entertaining, laying low in recovery mode, or have plans that will take you out of the house for the day, this Slow Cooker Salsa Chili is just what you need for a satisfying, stress-free meal.

A ladle scooping up chili from a slow cooker insert.

It’s beefy, substantial, warm and comforting which makes it the perfect post-holiday, lazy day meal or spot-on perfect for a game day gathering.

Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa adds zesty flavor with minimal fuss, making this recipe an awesome busy day dinner idea any time of year. Fresh Cravings also has a Restaurant Style variety, but I think the chunks of tomatoes work really well in this hearty chili.

The ingredients for Slow Cooker Salsa Chili including Fresh Cravings Salsa on a blue Walmart shopping bag.

Fresh Cravings makes seriously game-changing refrigerated salsas that aren’t cooked like jarred salsas or pasteurized like other refrigerated salsas. The ingredient list includes simple, fresh ingredients including vine-ripened tomatoes, onions, and chilis for bold, authentic taste making it an excellent ingredient in recipes like this.

A close up of Fresh Cravings Salsa

You can find Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsas in the chilled produce section (near the bagged salads and dressings) at your local Walmart store.

Let’s make chili!

A spoon scoops the Fresh Cravings Salsa into the slow cooker.

After browning 2 pounds of lean ground beef, this is literally a dump everything in the slow cooker and walk away recipe.

Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker along with some diced onion, a can of diced green chiles, tomato sauce, a little beef broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Stir in a full container of Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa. I went with medium for a mildly spicy chili but you could use the mild variety if you prefer.

All of the ingredients for Slow Cooker Salsa Chili in the slow cooker.

Stir to combine and then cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours to let those wonderful flavors intensify.

The beans are added to the slow cooker.

A can each of kidney beans and pinto beans are added during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time. I always add canned beans towards the end in slow cooker recipes because it ensures they’ll have a nice bite and won’t get mealy or mushy from over-cooking.

A bowl filled with Salsa Chili and topped with sour cream, cheese, avocado chunks, and cilantro.

Serve it with your toppings of choice but I highly recommend a little sour cream and avocado. The avocado was absolutely delicious with the flavors in this recipe.

A bowl of Salsa Chili on a colorful cloth shot from over the top.

A bowl of chili topped with cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

Slow Cooker Salsa Chili

With just 15 minutes of prep time you’ll have this beefy Slow Cooker Salsa Chili simmering away for a fun game day meal or no-fuss dinner on a busy day.
0 from 0 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 348kcal
Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 32 ounces tomato sauce (2 (16 ounce) cans)
  • 16 ounces Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa (Mild or Medium Crave)
  • 4 ounces diced green chiles, drained
  • 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup diced white or yellow onion
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1  teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 15 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese sour cream, avocado, thinly sliced green onion, cilantro

Instructions

  • Place a large deep skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat, add beef and cook, stirring to break up, until beef has browned. Drain grease and transfer the cooked ground beef to a 6 quart slow cooker. Add tomato sauce, Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa, diced green chiles, beef broth, onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano,  and pepper. Stir mixture, cover with lid and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
  • After initial cooking time, stir in beans, cover and continue to cook on LOW for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Serve with any or all of the optional toppings.
  • Also delicious spooned over tortilla chips, baked potatoes, rice, or cornbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1456mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g
LOVE MY RECIPES? GET THE COOKBOOK!
The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and Other One-Pot Solutions

A two image vertical collage of Slow Cooker Salsa Chili with text overlay.

Categories: Beef, Cinco de Mayo, Father's Day, Holidays, Main Dish, Mexican, Slow Cooker, Soups, Stews, and Chilis

< Previous
Next >

You May Also Like...

A bowl of chili topped shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and tortilla chips. Slow Cooker Double Beef and Bean Chili
A pot of Chili. Three Bean Turkey Chili
Chicken Tortilla Soup Chicken Tortilla Soup
A bowl of beer chili with cheese, sour cream, and saltine crackers. Halftime Chili

Reader Interactions

Latest Comments
Skip to Comment Form
  1. Dorothy Reinhold says

    December 26, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    I love a hearty meal made in the the slow cooker! I bet that fresh salsa really adds a lot!

    Reply
    • Valerie says

      December 27, 2017 at 5:57 pm

      So much flavor! Thanks, Dorothy 🙂

      Reply
  2. Catalina says

    December 26, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    My husband will love this salsa!

    Reply
  3. Nutmeg Nanny says

    December 26, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    My husband will love this!!

    Reply
    • Valerie says

      December 27, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      Yes! My guys here all love it 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




Stay Connected with Valerie’s Kitchen

Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
BlogLovin'
RSS

Stay updated!

Subscribe by Email

Get the latest straight from my kitchen to your email inbox. You can choose to receive an email every time a new recipe is published or a weekly summary.

Click to Subscribe

Primary Sidebar

Browse the Recipes

by Category
CP Slow Cooker OP One Pot 30 30 Minute Meals SD Side Dish S Dessert H Holidays A Appetizers MD Main Dish
Valerie Brunmeier, founder and author of Valerie's Kitchen

MeetValerie Brunmeier

Hello and welcome to my online kitchen! My focus here is to provide simple, seasonal meal solutions for busy households. I hope you find some inspiration while you’re here and visit again soon!

...
More About Me

Looking for something?

Archives

Categories

Soups and Stews

A ladle scoops up beef stew from a pot.
Broccoli Cheese Soup in a round bread bowl topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
A close up, over the top image of Hamburger Stew in a Dutch oven.
A ladle scoops some beef stew from an Instant Pot.
A mug filled with ham and bean soup.

St. Patrick’s Day!

Slices of corned beef, carrots, and cabbage in a bowl with a bottle of Guinness.
A ladle scoops up some stew from a pot.
The Snakebite (Guinness and Pear Cider Cocktail)
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef with sauteed cabbage on a black plate.
A close up of Colcannon Potatoes topped with bacon and green onions.
Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots on a white plate.
A bowl of soup with cabbage and corned beef on top of a white plate with a spoon.

Reader Favorites

A white serving dish filled with shredded beef, carrots, and potatoes.
A white bowl filed with crab dip with a spoon.
A spatula scoops up a zucchini boat from a casserole dish.
Blackened Mahi Mahi
A close up of a cheesesteak sandwich with peppers and onions.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Gravey
As Featured On
Back to Top
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Collaborate
  • Contact
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
BlogLovin'
RSS
Valerie's Kitchen
Copyright © 2011–2021 · Valerie's Kitchen

Valerie's Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.