• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Kitchen Tools
    • Menu Planner
  • Lifestyle
    • DIY Crafts
    • Bath & Beauty
    • Busy Moms Survival Guide
    • Family Finances
    • Home Decor
    • Parenting
    • Gardening & Outdoor Living
    • Kids
    • Printables
  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Travel Activities
    • Romantic Getaways
    • New England
  • Subscribe

Juggling Act Mama logo

Home » Recipes » Chuck Wagon Chili – Slow Cooker Recipe

December 2, 2014

Chuck Wagon Chili – Slow Cooker Recipe

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
8Shares

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My slow cooker is my best friend – especially this time of year!  There’s so much to do and so little time to do it, right?

Emeril_slowcooker_crockpot_chuck_wagon_chili_soup_stew

The thing I really love about this Chuck Wagon Chili Slow Cooker Recipe is that it’s so unique with beer, cinnamon and even chocolate as some of the ingredients. Plus, it has big chunks of boneless beef chuck instead of ground beef.

While this isn’t a 5 ingredient recipe, I think you’ll agree it’s worth the extra effort to make this incredibly flavorful dish.

I love making chili and this one just one of many recipes here on the blog for this hearty dish!

Vegan Chili Recipe
Super Easy Vegan Chili Recipe made with beans, pasta and tomatoes
Get the Recipe >>>
Closeup view of vegan chili
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a ‘set and forget’ kind of recipe that makes entertaining a breeze! This chili recipe will feed a crowd, and then some!
Get the Recipe >>>

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Image result for amazon a logo

Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you’ll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier!  

Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama

❤ ❤ ❤

FAQ About Chuck Wagon Chili

Here are some frequently asked questions about this recipe:

Why do you put Masa in chili?

Masa flour is added to help thicken your chili and it gives it a subtle corn flavor also.

What can I use instead of masa flour?

There isn’t really a great substitute for masa flour. Your best bet is to use cornstarch, tapioca or instant potato granules.

You can choose to omit this and instead use tomato paste to thicken the chili.

Why do you add semi-sweet chocolate to the chili?

Using chocolate adds more depth by enhancing the beef flavor.

What is a dark Mexican beer?

In Mexico, Negra Modelo is the best-selling beer. It is a lager that is made with a slow brewing process for a rich and smooth taste.

Chuck Wagon Chili – Slow Cooker Recipe

 This delicious recipe is a take on Emeril Lagasse and it’s full of big, bold flavors – even chocolate and cinnamon!

Ingredient List

For the Spice Mixture

  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar light or dark – I used dark

For the Chili

  • 4 lbs. boneless beef chuck cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 3 medium sweet or white onions coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • 6 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 jalapenos diced
  • 12 oz dark Mexican beer
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 28 oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 1 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons masa flour

Optional Garnish

  • Grated Cheddar cheese
  • Chopped Green Onions
  • Sour Cream
  • Cilantro

Directions

  1. Put together your spice mixture and set aside.
  2. Put 1/2 the oil in your skillet and turn onto high heat.
  3. Season your meat with the salt and pepper.
  4. Brown the outside of your beef in batches, adding more oil when needed. Do not cook your meat all the way through, you just want a crust on the outside about 2 minutes on each side.
  5. Throw the meat into your 6 qt or larger slow cooker.
  6. Add the onion, celery to the skillet and saute until they begin to soften.
  7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beer and tomato paste and simmer for 3 minutes
  8. Add the garlic, jalapenos and spice mixture to the skillet, stir and simmer for 1 minute.
  9. Pour this over the beef in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beef is tender.
  10. Stir in the parsley and cilantro leaves and serve.
  11. Stir in the masa harina and chocolate chips and stir until they are melted.

Recipe Notes

Save yourself the trouble and have your butcher cut your chuck roast into cubes, it’s free!

Find More Slow Cooker Recipes

If you love slow cooker recipes as much as I do, you’ll want to pin and bookmark these recipes – they’re two of my go-to favorites.  On cold dreary New England winter days, they’re nothing better than one of these great comfort foods in the slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Hearty and delicious, Slow Cooker Potato Soup is an easy meal the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe >>>
Best Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Easy Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Sliders with Slaw
Mouthwatering Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders + Asian Slaw are the perfect easy meal for sleepovers, game day, and other entertaining. These sliders are total crowd pleasers!
Get the Recipe >>>
Slow Cooker Italian Roast Beef with Potatoes & Carrots
Italian Roast Beef with Red Skin Potatoes & Carrots is a full meal, that’ll feed a family, made right in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe >>>
Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken recipe is versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. Plus it’s totally delicious!
Get the Recipe >>>
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
8Shares

Filed Under: Main Dish Recipes, Recipes, Slow Cooker Tagged With: chili, dinner, Emeril Lagasse, giveaway, one pot, slow cooker

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which are why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle. Read More…

Popular Posts

Slices of oven roasted pork tenderloin on a cutting board with a sprig of fresh thyme. In the background are slices of compound butter and ramekins with salt and pepper
Authentic Italian Meatballs topping a bowl of spaghetti with sauce.

Footer

More Blog Posts

Copyright Notice · Disclosure · Privacy Policy · Republication Policy · Terms and Conditions · Trademarks · Work with Me

JUGGLING ACT MAMA IS A LIFESTYLE BLOG FOR BUSY MOMS THAT WANT TO DO IT ALL. ENJOY AMAZING RECIPES, FANTASTIC PROJECTS
AND INCREDIBLE TRAVEL IDEAS FOR LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE.


Copyright © 2021 Juggling Act Mama · Log in