Halloween chili is perfect for cool fall nights. Made in the slow cooker, this kid-friendly, gluten-free chili cooks all day and is ready to enjoy as your kids come in from trick or treating.
When you get home from trick or treating it’s always best to have a hot dinner waiting. Our tradition for years is making this kid favorite chili in the crock pot ready to warm us up after a brisk night out.
Serving chili on Halloween is always a huge hit and our version is no exception. If you’re having a Halloween party simply double the recipe and serve with lots of toppings including minced onion, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream. Amaze your friends and family with this full-of-flavor meal that is kid approved!
For more fall favorites, check out Butternut Squash Soup with Apple, Creamy Pumpkin Chili Slow Cooker and Brussels Sprout Apple Salad.
For more Halloween fun, check out Halloween Lunch Ideas for over 20 spooky recipes that have all been kid-approved!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced about 4 stalks
- 2 (28) ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 46 ounces tomato juice
- 3 (15) ounce chili beans Bush’s Best are labeled gluten-free
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 package Six Gun Chili Mixins or another gluten free chili seasoning
How To Make
Follow the simple step-by-step instructions or use the printable recipe card below to have this recipe ready to go as soon as your trick-or-treaters walk through the door!
Brown the meat
To a large skillet add the onions, celery, and ground beef.
Using a spatula, carefully break up the meat into large chunks. Let the chunks of beef cook for approximately 1 minute. Then, break the chunks into smaller pieces and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Repeat the process of alternating between breaking up the ground beef and cooking for 1 minute until the ground beef is no longer pink.
Once cooked, drain any excess grease.
Prepare the seasoning mix
You can use a gluten-free store-bought or homemade chili seasoning mix. If using 6 Gun Chili Mixins seasoning, follow the instructions on the box by using the 2 large packages and mixing with 1 cup of water.
Pro Tip: Add about 1/2 of the heat packet if your family isn’t into a lot of heat, or the full packet for spicy chili.
Add the ingredients to the slow cooker
Add the browned meat mixture to the slow cooker. Then, pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato juice, chili beans, chili seasoning mixture, and bay leaves. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Remove and discard the bay leaves then serve with desired toppings.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Always brown the meat before adding to the slow cooker.
- Add about 1/2 of the heat packet if your family isn’t into a lot of heat, or the full packet for spicy chili.
- Serve topped with minced onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, and sour cream.
- Swap the ground beef with ground turkey for a homemade turkey chili recipe.
- Freeze in an air-tight container with a Printable Freezer Meal Label and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop until hot then serve with any desired toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ground meat should always be browned before added to a slow cooker. It will reduce the amount of grease in the dish, keep the texture of the meat desirable and boost the overall flavor.
Serve topped with minced onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos and sour cream.
Let the chili cool completely then pack in air tight containers, label and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. We recommend storing in portions to be reheated as an individual serving or family meal. To reheat, place thawed chili on the stovetop and heat until hot.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration:
- If you have cooked chili and want to store it for a short period (typically up to 3-4 days), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Allow the chili to cool down to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation inside the container.
- Freezing:
- For longer-term storage, you can freeze chili. Make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing.
- Portion the chili into airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the date so you can keep track of how long it’s been in the freezer.
- Avoid Overfilling:
- Leave some space in the container or bag when freezing chili as liquids expand when frozen. This will prevent the container from breaking.
- Reheating:
- When reheating chili, do so on the stovetop or in the microwave until it reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to kill any potential bacteria.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
- Storage Time:
- In the freezer, chili can generally be stored for 2-3 months without a significant loss in quality. However, it’s best to consume it within this time frame.
- In the refrigerator, consume leftover chili within 3-4 days.
Sides To Serve With Chili
- Sweet Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe
- Easy Broccoli Salad (without Mayo)
- Instant Pot Red Potatoes
- Tater Tot Casserole For Kids
- Baked Zucchini Squash Rounds
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Halloween Chili Recipe
Equipment
- can opener
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds lean ground beef ✅
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 2 (28) ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 46 ounces tomato juice
- 3 (15) ounce chili beans ✅ We used Bush's
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 package Gluten free chili seasoning ✅ We like Six Gun Chili Mixins
- top with minced onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, sour cream ✅ optional
Instructions
- ⭐️ Brown the meat. To a large skillet add the onions, celery, and ground beef. Cook until the meat is browned. Drain.2.5 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, diced, 1 cup celery, diced
- Prepare the seasoning mix. If using Six Gun Chili Mixins seasoning, follow the instructions on the box – using the 2 large packages and adding them to 1 cup of water.1 package Gluten free chili seasoning
- Add the ingredients to the slow cooker. Add the browned meat mixture to the slow cooker. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato juice, chili beans, chili seasoning mixture, and bay leaves. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.2 (28) ounce cans crushed tomatoes, 46 ounces tomato juice, 3 (15) ounce chili beans, 2 bay leaves
- Add toppings. Top with any desired toppings and serve.top with minced onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, sour cream
Notes
Tips
- Always brown the meat before adding to the slow cooker.
- Add about 1/2 of the heat packet if your family isn’t into a lot of heat, or the full packet for spicy chili.
- Serve topped with minced onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, and sour cream.
- Swap the ground beef with ground turkey for a homemade turkey chili recipe.
- Freeze in an air-tight container with a Printable Freezer Meal Label and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop until hot then serve with any desired toppings.
Nutrition
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Mark says
Best chili ever!! Super easy to make and everyone loved it!