Taco Chili
This Taco Chili is a super easy freezer meal — just throw in the Crockpot when ready! Hearty and full of flavor. Perfect over corn chips or rice.
I wasn’t even going to blog this taco chili soup recipe because, really, it’s summer. No one is thinking about chili. But as I took one bite of this taco chili tonight I knew I had to whip out my camera before the sun finished setting and share this. It’s a super easy make-ahead recipe that can be tossed in the freezer until you’re ready for it and then cooked in the Crockpot!
I’m all about the Crockpot this summer. 1) Who wants to turn on the oven during summer in Texas? And 2) I’m lazy and it’s SO easy! Add in the fact that this is a prep ahead freezer meal and I’m sold.
You do have to invest the time upfront to brown the meat and all that, but I enlisted my husband to help me with that one night after we put the kids to bed. It was kinda fun spending time together (ALONE) cooking in the kitchen without the pressure of two hungry ankle biters asking when dinner was going to be ready.
We served this with cheese over corn chips, but it would also be yummy with rice or as tacos!
What’s in Taco Chili?
I added tons of herbs and spices to this simple Crockpot chili to give it good flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Crockpot taco chili:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Corn
- Tomato sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Canned green chiles
- Spices (chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, etc.)
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Taco Chili
- Brown the ground beef if you haven’t done so already.
- Add all ingredients to the Crockpot. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings!
How to Prep Taco Chili as a Freezer Meal
If you want to prep this easy crockpot chili recipe as a freezer meal, you’ll need to first brown the ground beef and let it cool completely. Then, seal all the ingredients into a freezer bag.
When you’re ready to eat, add everything to a Crockpot and cook as normal! This freezer meal will last up to 3 months if stored properly.
Tips for Making Taco Chili Soup
My family prefers their chili with ground beef in it, but I’m sure you could make this recipe using ground chicken or turkey, if desired.
If you have kiddos to feed, you may want to use mild green chiles so the soup doesn’t turn out too spicy.
We like eating this simple Crockpot chili with shredded cheese, crushed corn chips, green onions, and cilantro on top. Feel free to mix and match your favorite chili toppings!
More Crockpot Dinner Recipes:
- Southwest Chicken
- Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
- Crockpot Tomato Braised Brisket
- 10 Freezer Crockpot Meals
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked ground beef
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 1 can corn , drained
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 (14) oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 small can green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a freezer bag, stir well, and freeze until ready.
- Place in Crockpot and cook on high for 1 hour.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Serve with shredded cheese, cilantro, chopped green onions, corn chips, or your favorite toppings!
Notes
- Write on the bag: "Taco Chili, Cook high 1 hour, then Cook low 4-6 hours" so you don't forget!
Hi! How long will this meal last in the freezer?
I would probably use it within 3 months
Hi! i’m 36 weeks pregnant and making freezer meals for once baby is here! I am so excited to make this and have it on a sleep deprived night 😉
I noticed the instructions say to cook on high on hour and cook on low 4-6 hours. Just wanted to double check that this is correct – cook on high for 1 hour and then lower to ‘low’ for an additional 4-6 hours?
Thanks!
Hi Jessica, congrats on the baby! Yes, I like to cook most of my slow cooker meals on high for the first hour to bring things up to temperature and then lower heat for the remainder. Since everything is fully cooked in this recipe beforehand, it’s not imperative. Hope this helps!
How long do I need to cook it for if I am making it without freezing it?
I usually do about 4 hours. Be sure to cook the ground beef first, and then it’s just a matter of letting the flavors meld together and heating since nothing else really needs to cook.
Had this tucked away in the freezer for a busy night. Plopped it in the slow cooker today and headed out for roller hockey. The family was starving by the time they had skated for four hours, and this was ready to go! A delicious family friendly, budget friendly meal! Thank you! We all can’t wait to have it again!
How many people will this serve? Please and thank you!
4-6
Yum!
This sounds amazing I would like to make this today!! Could I put my hamburger in raw and cook it on low for the whole day?
Hi Cherise, I wouldn’t. If you don’t cook it and drain it first the end results may be greasy.
does the meat need to be cooked before freezing? wouldn’t it be really dry after cooking again in the crock pot?
Hi Kristin, yes be sure to cook the meat. It won’t be dry because of all of the other wet ingredients. It really won’t cook again, it just warms up from being frozen.
When my husband eats chili, he basically turns it into a taco lol He would love this recipe! Thanks for linking up with Delicious Dishes Link Party!
I don’t care what time of year it is, I love anything chili and taco/tex-mex flavored! This sounds like a great set-it-and-forget-it meal! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday!
Oh, this looks so, so delicious! I need to try it asap – we love chili around here!
Hi, I’m not freezing the meal since I want to make for today. Do I need to cook the meat before placing it in the crockpot? Thanks
Whoa just noticed the nutrition info, please tell me 1244 calories isn’t PER serving! I’ve made this several times and love it so I will be really bummed if it’s that high in calories 🙁
No, that is for the whole batch. Sorry about that!
I love it that you don’t use seasoning packets. I have to watch the sodium with my husband.
Do you thaw this first or put it in the slow cooker frozen?
Hi Trina- I put it in frozen, sometimes I put the bag under hot water to “soften” it just enough to fit inside the slow cooker
I was just thinking about how I haven’t used my crockpot enough this summer, this recipe looks perfect! I love the corn chips!
Give me a slow cooker meal any day! I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it! Here is the link http://bit.ly/1mF7z6K. Have a wonderful day!!
I love the idea of this and that you sever if over corn chips. Whenever I make chili, I try to have a bag of Frito Scoops on hand for scooping. 🙂
Great flavors and love that you can make it ahead of time !
Yum! This looks soo good. Loving that it is a crockpot AND freezer meal. Great for summertime so the house doesn’t get hot. pinned to try. Have a great week:)