Simply the Best Firehouse Chili Recipe made so easy right in your slow cooker. Break out that Crockpot & get ready for another easy family dinner to love.
There are some things that are just known for being the best. Cooking at the firehouse definitely is one of those things. Firemen can COOK I tell you & they have lots of Easy Family Dinner Ideas like this all-time Best Firehouse Chili Recipe!!! (probably why I have to watch what I eat, right?)
There is THIS one particular recipe that we make in BULK- Firehouse Chili. We have been making this recipe for a good long while & I think it’s safe to say at this point that the hubs has definitely perfected it.
Firehouse Chili Recipe
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Here are some commonly asked questions
Why is it called “firehouse” chili?
Well, quite simply, the hubs has spent 30+ years in the firehouse, working his way up through the ranks from cadet, to volunteer, to career staff, to the chief to semi-retired. We have been making this recipe for the majority of his career. It is a great recipe because it can be left to cook in the slow cooker while the guys are out on calls & they can grab a bowl when they get back to the station & have a hearty meal before having to run back out to the next one.
Can I change the type of beans?
Sure you can. There are often times we may run out of a certain kind and we will substitute with whatever we have on hand. That is the best part of this recipe, it is really hard to mess it up. Just add what you like & enjoy!
Can this recipe be reduced for smaller portions?
Yes, absolutely. We like to make enough for a week – because we are typically making this on our snowy days here. This way we don’t have to cook, we just have warm, comfort food ready to go all week. But if you don’t have a large family, big appetites or like a lot of leftovers, by all means, please cut this recipe in half.
HOW DO YOU MAKE the Best Firehouse Chili?
- Brown ground beef in a large pan with desired seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic, season salt) & teriyaki sauce.
- Transfer to slow-cooker or roaster being careful to not transfer all the fat in the pan. (you want just a little in there though so don’t drain)
- Add all other ingredients in with meat & stir until incorporated.
- Add your water to the consistency that you like.
- Let cook 5-6 hours on low- stirring occasionally.
- Unplug the cooker & let cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Great with cornbread or crackers.
Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
To make this recipe you will need…
- ground beef 95% lean
- ground beef 70% lean- Fat adds flavor
- diced stewed tomatoes
- kidney beans
- chili beans
- black beans
- pinto beans
- sliced olives
- beer
- minced garlic
- minced onions
- teriyaki sauce or Yoshi Sauce
- hot sauce
- Water to your preferred consistency
This is great on a cold winter day.
This is the perfect bowl of comfort food you are craving!
Scroll to the bottom for the Printable Recipe
Looking for more easy dinner recipes?
Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Skillet Dinner
Best Firehouse Chili {Recipe}
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 95% lean
- 1/2 pound ground beef 70% lean Fat adds flavor
- 2 cans diced stewed tomatoes not drained - 15 oz each
- 1 can kidney beans not drained - 15 oz
- 1 can chili beans not drained - 15 oz
- 1 can black beans drained & rinsed - 15 oz
- 1 can pinto beans not drained - 15 oz
- 2 cans sliced olives drained - 15 oz
- 12 ounces beer
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced onions
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce or Yoshi Sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- Water to your preferred consistency
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in large pan with desired seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic, season salt) & teriyaki sauce.
- Transfer to slow-cooker or large roaster being careful to not transfer all the fat in the pan. (you want just a little fat in there, so don't drain the meat)
- Add all other ingredients in with meat & stir until incorporated.
- Add your water to the consistency that you like - I usually add 8-16 ounces depending on how much space I have in my cooker.
- Cover & cook 5-6 hours on low- stirring occasionally.
- Unplug & let cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, cornbread or crushed crackers.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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Cari says
That looks so yummy! I’m with you- chili’s gotta have beans 😉
Tisha says
Your recipe sounds delicious!! I just made us some chili two nights ago! Its a favorite, especially through this horrid cold spell we are having! Sometimes I try and cook off some of the liquid and serve it over rice with cheese and sour cream. yum!! by the way, adding beans is what we do in PA too. 🙂
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin says
I love me some chili, but mine is vegan hehe! I am actually whipping up a vat of my chili tomorrow for a day late b-day celebration with friends, it’s a bday tradition of mine!
Serendipity is Sweet says
Yum! Now that sounds like a hearty meal.
kathy says
Olives? Now THAT is a new one for me. Beans? YES, we always have them in our chili. All I have to say from your blog posts is, is that YOUR family must have the best meals of anyone I know!
Kim at Picking Poppies says
Okay, now that sounds really good, and what do you mean REAL Chili has no beans! ; ) My family is originally from Indiana and apparently they never got the memo. I always put kidney beans in my Chili and my mom used to put spaghetti in it too. Now we just have elbow mac as a kind of condiment with it, lol! This recipe looks sooo yummy…thanks for sharing!
Kim Reardon Cunningham says
Yum! I had no idea there was a debate over beans. We have always used them. This looks good, filling, and comforting! You won me at the stick of butter. ;)how exciting for a new linky I! Can’t wait to start pinning!
Elaine A. says
I’m totally in the “bean camp” too! I love them in my Chili. We just had some last week when it was still raining around here. But it sounds and LOOKS good again from your recipe and pictures. 🙂
Tiffany says
We have the “bean” issue in our house…..we also make chili in bulk. Half with beans, half without. LOL. Looks delicious beans and all. Have a great weekend Gina, hope to find time to join your “Weekly Best” sometime.
Tiffany
Linda R says
That look so good. And I have to say I love beans in my chili.. I had to pin this one. I am definitely going to try it.
Andrea @ This Pug Life says
I’ve never heard of olives in chili… interesting! And I must have beans in chili. I have no desire to eat just a bowl of ground beef!
tanya says
Chili is one of my favorite foods! And I like it spicy! I believe that chili has to have beans! I like that this will feed your family for two nights! Thanks for sharing at One Creative Weekend!