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Jimmy Fallon's Crock-Pot Chili

This easy Crock-Pot chili recipe is courtesy of comedian Jimmy Fallon.
The Martha Stewart Show, January Winter 2009
  • Yield Serves 8
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 1/2 pounds ground chuck beef, ground for chili
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large white onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 habanero chile, seeded and very finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped with their juices
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle amber beer
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • Tortilla chips, for serving
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
  • Chopped tomatoes, for serving
  • Sour cream, for serving
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add beef and cook until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; drain in a colander, discarding fat, and set aside.

  2. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add onions, garlic, and habanero; season with salt. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  3. In a 6-quart Crock-Pot, combine beef, onion mixture, chile powder, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper; stir to combine. Add tomatoes, cilantro, and beer; cover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, for 5 hours.

  4. Add kidney beans and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with desired toppings.

Recipe Reviews

  • azamie
    4 Jan, 2013

    THE VERY BEST CHILI RECIPE!!!
    I've been making this chili since I watched Jimmy make it on the Martha Stewart show right before he started hosting Late Night w/Jimmy Fallon and it has been my family's favorite ever since. I've tried numerous chili recipes over the years and none compare to this one.
    I have made a few adjustments to our liking and they are:
    Only use 2 lbs hamburger
    Substitute the habanero chili with a JalapeƱo pepper
    Add 1 can chili beans
    Thank you so much Jimmy & Martha!

  • john the koi man
    24 Aug, 2012

    Kinda thin.....needs more tomatoes

  • ladeebug
    27 Jan, 2012

    Very disappointing. I made the recipe to a tee and the end result was a very bland chili.

  • spulley
    20 Feb, 2011

    I made this today, whilst it has a good flavor, I really missed the tomato taste, as others mentioned. I even added a can of tom paste and an extra can of toms. The flavor was somewhat 'watery', rather than a full robust rich flavor. I think I will try this again with a few more changes. I guess I will continue on my quest to find a great slow cook chili

  • aimmelou
    24 Dec, 2010

    This recipe is pretty good, but it's probably not what you're looking for if your in the mood for true chili. It's not very tomato-y at all (which to me is what chili should be), but the flavors were different enough for me to consider making it again some other time. I made half a batch and we had around 7 single servings.

  • sm3lly
    21 Feb, 2010

    Made this for the parents at my childs party. Made a double lot expecting lots to be left, I was so wrong some had seconds, thirds and even more. I added some beef stock and some mushrooms to fill it out more. Will make this again as everyone loved it.

  • sm3lly
    21 Feb, 2010

    Made this for the parents at my childs party. Made a double lot expecting lots to be left, I was so wrong some had seconds, thirds and even more. I added some beef stock and some mushrooms to fill it out more. Will make this again as everyone loved it.

  • afawendy
    20 Feb, 2010

    My comment was cut off.
    I used organic ground turkey instead, and added about 3/4 c. chicken stock. it was great and a hit with my family. the beer is the key!

  • afawendy
    20 Feb, 2010

    This was really good! I used delicious local

  • uoftxchik
    3 Mar, 2009

    Great chili recipe! Not your standard chili texture, which is nice! I like that it is not super tomato-y. I'm not a fan of beans in chili, but I liked it in this recipe. Easy and yummy! I made half a batch and it made enough for two meals for two people...at least.