Delicious Game Day Chili – Rich, Hearty, and Slow Cooker Simple

When the temperatures start dropping—whether we’re camped in the mountains or gate guarding in South Texas—this is the chili we turn to. Game Day Chili is thick, hearty, loaded with flavor, and exactly the kind of one-pot comfort food that warms you up on a cold evening. We’ve made this chili everywhere we’ve traveled, and it never fails to hit the spot.

We used to brown the meat in a Dutch oven and transfer it to a slow cooker, but once we switched to a multi-function Crock Pot that sautés and slow cooks in the same pot, everything got a whole lot simpler. One pot means fewer dirty dishes, less cleanup in a tiny RV kitchen, and more time to enjoy the campground instead of standing at the sink. Minimal effort, maximum flavor—and exactly the kind of cooking that makes RV life easier.

Over the years, we’ve also tweaked the ingredients. The original recipe called for just pinto beans and dark beer. Now we like the combo of pinto and kidney beans for texture, plus a can of Rotel for brightness and a little kick. As for the beer? A Shiner Bock works beautifully, but a dark beer—or honestly, whatever’s in the fridge—always gives this chili a deep, rich backbone.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Prep: Brown everything right in your multi-cooker, toss in the rest, and let the Crock Pot do its thing.
Deep Chili Flavor: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, Rotel, and a splash of dark beer build a rich, layered base without complicating the recipe.
Great for Leftovers: This chili tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or busy travel days on the road.
RV-Friendly: One pot, easy cleanup, and simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store across the country.

Ingredients for Game Day Chili

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (12-oz.) beer (a dark beer, or any beer you prefer)
• 3 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (15-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 (15-oz.) cans dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10-oz.) can Rotel tomatoes
• 1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chiles, undrained
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Game Day Chili in a Crock Pot

Brown the Meat and Build the Flavor Base

1. Turn your Crock Pot or multi-cooker to the Sauté or Brown setting.
2. Add the ground chuck, onion, and garlic. Cook 8–10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it browns, until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add the chili powder, cumin, ground red pepper, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook another minute to deepen the flavor.

Slow Cook Until Thick and Hearty

5. Switch your cooker to Slow Cook mode.
6. Add the beef broth, beer, tomato sauce, pinto beans, kidney beans, Rotel, green chiles, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
7. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Serving Ideas

This chili is incredibly versatile. A few favorite add-ons:

• Shredded sharp cheddar or pepper jack
• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Diced jalapeños
• Fritos or cornbread
• Over a baked potato or make chili dogs for next-day leftovers

If you like hearty comfort food that’s easy to make in an RV kitchen, you might also enjoy some of our other campground favorites like Sautéed Mushrooms with Caramelized Onions, Sweet Fire Chicken, or our Slow Cooker Jambalaya. They all use simple ingredients, come together quickly, and are perfect for those nights when you just want good food without a lot of fuss.

Storage and Leftovers

This chili stores incredibly well, and the flavor actually deepens after a night in the fridge. Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days, or freeze them for as long as three months.

If you’re on the road or working long shifts, this recipe reheats perfectly in the Travelisimo Heated Lunchbox, making it an easy grab-and-go option for busy RV days or gate guarding. Perfect texture, no scorching, and it tastes just as good as when it came out of the Crock Pot.

Notes From the Road

We’ve made Game Day Chili during long workamping stretches, rainy fall weekends in Montana, and even during football Sundays in the desert. It’s hearty enough to feed a group at the campground, simple enough for weeknights, and familiar enough to feel like home in a bowl.

Final Thoughts

This Game Day Chili has earned a permanent spot in our rotation for a reason. It’s reliable, bold, and full of flavor without requiring much effort—perfect for busy travel days or laid-back evenings at the RV. If you’re looking for a comfort dish that travels well, freezes well, and always tastes great, this is a recipe worth keeping close.

Have you tried this recipe? Do you have a favorite version of this recipe, or a twist you’d recommend?
We’re always up for trying something new and tasty in our RV kitchen!

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a little kitchen time with us.
If you have any questions, tips, or comments, drop them below—we’d love to hear from you!

Our other Slow Cooker Recipes

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