Written by Pam Published on
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One thing I missed when I began gluten-free cooking was how quick and simple meals were no longer quick and simple. I couldn’t throw together a quick pizza, prepare a batch of spaghetti, or any other of the time-saving tricks I had used for so long. I happened across this 3-ingredient Crock Pot Chili recipe while sitting in the doctor’s waiting room and thought, “I’ve got to try this!”
3-ingredient Crock Pot Chili Recipe
This 3-ingredient Crock Pot Chili recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free and can be made in the crock-pot or on the stovetop. The recipe calls for common pantry and freezer ingredients so it’s easy to have everything on hand to prepare the chili.
Here’s What You Need to Make the Chili
- Salsa, in your choice of mild, medium, or hot
- Ground Beef- I prefer to use 80/20
- Chili Beans
If desired, you can also add in your choice of extras like
- sauteed onions
- sauteed garlic
- sauteed green peppers
Make it in the Crockpot:
To prepare the meal in the crockpot, mix the browned and drained ground beef with the salsa and beans. Cook on high for 4 hours or for 6 hours on low.
Make it on the Stovetop:
Mix the browned, drained ground beef with the salsa and beans in a large saucepan. Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Can You Substitute Ingredients?
Yes! Here’s a list of simple substitutions:
- Use a different type of canned bean. Kidney beans, black beans, or pinto Beans work well.
- Substitute plant-based meat substitute crumbles found in the freezer section for a tasty vegan version of the chili
- Use Picante sauce instead of salsa or use a mixture of salsa and diced tomatoes with chili peppers (like Ro-tel)
Good Toppings For the Chili
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- chopped green onion tops
Printable 3-Ingredient Chili Recipe
3 Ingredient Crock Pot Chili
Recipe by Pam
Servingsservings
Prep time
15
minutes
Cooking timeminutes
Calorieskcal
Easy 3-ingredient chili recipe that is naturally gluten and dairy-free.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 (24-ounce) jars chunky salsa
1 can (16 ounces) chili beans, rinsed
optional: sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- In a medium skillet, over high heat, cook ground beef for five to seven minutes or until browned, stirring often. Drain.
- In a crockpot, place the ground beef, salsa, and chili beans. Stir until combined.
- Cook over low heat for 6 hours or over high heat for 4 hours.
What is Sautéed?
Saute means to “fry an ingredient quickly in a little hot fat.” If you want to saute the onion, garlic, or green peppers to add into the chili, here’s how to do it.
Place a small amount (around a tablespoon) of oil or butter in a shallow pan, like a skillet. Melt the oil or butter over high heat and quickly add in the onions and/or peppers. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for five to seven minutes, until onions are translucent and peppers are soft, stirring often.
Garlic only needs a quick saute of around 30 seconds. Add it near the end of the cooking process if you want to add it to the onion and pepper mixture.
This gluten-free, dairy-free 3-ingredient chili is good served with crusty French bread or with cornbread. You can also pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a hearty meal. It might become a winter staple in your house just like it is in ours! What is your favorite winter soup?
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79 Comments
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January 6, 2015 at 5:20 pm
My favorite crock pot dish has got to be this one I found for 3 ingredient Orange chicken. It’s so delicious. I’m actually gathering a few recipes to compile together. I would love to link back to yours!
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February 1, 2014 at 2:02 pm
Not a bad idea, I’ll have to try making it like this… it sounds delicious!
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January 31, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I love it when you can get converts from a recipe. Now you can make it more often. I think this sounds great and am anxious to try it.
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melissa
January 30, 2014 at 3:23 pm
How yummy and so easy!!!!! I love it!
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January 30, 2014 at 2:28 pm
I love the idea of topping the chili with cheese, looks delicious! I mu9st try that onle day.,
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January 30, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Looks delicious! Not a fan very much of chili but I’ll still eat it.
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January 30, 2014 at 1:14 pm
This looks so incredibly easy, even I could make it! I’d swap out hamburger meat for ground chicken or turkey, but other than that, love it!
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January 30, 2014 at 1:09 pm
OMG, who knew chili could be so simple to make! I’ve never tried chili in the crockpot, but I am so going to do it now. Yum!
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January 30, 2014 at 12:59 pm
This looks like a good meal to have ready when you’re at the end of your rope when it comes to “new” foods to make and don’t have a lot of time. Plenty of protein and tasty!
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January 30, 2014 at 12:41 pm
It sounds really good and I love the simplicity! I’ll bet you’re getting much faster and better at pulling the gluten-free meals together now.
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January 30, 2014 at 11:53 am
Looks delicious and you cannot ever beat simple with just 3 ingredients!
- See AlsoEasy 3-Ingredient Ro-Tel ChiliCrazy Easy 3 Ingredient Chili - EazyGrubThis 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Dinner Might Be the Best Thing I’ve Ever MadeQuick 3 Ingredient Chili for Any Occasion - Semi Scratched
January 30, 2014 at 10:35 am
My husband loves chili recipes and I really like that this one is so hearty and gluten free.
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January 30, 2014 at 9:17 am
Ive never thought to put salsa in chili!! How interesting! Sounds super yummy too!! I’ll have to make this for this weekend!
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January 30, 2014 at 6:19 am
yum! this looks and sounds delicious 🙂
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January 30, 2014 at 6:12 am
Must be so hard to find good tasting food thats gluten free i have tried some and not liked it this looks good although i am not keen on beans.
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January 30, 2014 at 4:22 am
Wow, it looks amazing … I can’t believe it is healthy. I also much prefer fast and easy meals, so this works out great!! Thanks for sharing … unfortunately, I don’t have any crock pot recipes to give you *I really suck at cooking).
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January 30, 2014 at 2:38 am
Yum! This sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to try this recipes.
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January 30, 2014 at 2:24 am
This is so simple, and so hearty! I will be bookmarking this one for sure. Thank you for sharing.
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January 30, 2014 at 12:56 am
I think you might have hit a spot for a lot of us! Chili is some serious awesome comfort food and it’s great for the cold months! So great of you to share a recipe with so few ingredients and it’s gluten free!
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January 30, 2014 at 12:19 am
I love chili. Especially on a rainy day like today!
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Pamela @ Still Dating My Spouse
January 30, 2014 at 12:08 am
It is so cold right now that chili is the best meal and with only 3 ingredients this is perfect!
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January 29, 2014 at 11:34 pm
impressive three ingredient dish. Looks tasty too.
I don’t use a crock-pot but might get one someday.
Eliz -
January 29, 2014 at 11:33 pm
love my crockpot meals! i’ve never thought to use salsa for chili! genius!
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Tammy Woodall
January 29, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Thank you for this recipe. This Chili looks delicious.
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January 29, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Can’t wait to try this!
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January 29, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Only three ingredients? WOW!
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January 29, 2014 at 10:07 pm
I love dishes like this! So easy and quick and delicious. Thanks so much for sharing this.
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January 29, 2014 at 9:15 pm
I would definitely use the optional ingredients, of course I would ruin the GF part by adding Fritos. I love how easy this would be to make.
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January 29, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Such a simple recipe.. Love it.. I love to use Salsa in my chili, makes it rich, spicy and I can get it done in no time..thanks for sharing
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January 29, 2014 at 8:06 pm
looks delicious. I love that there are only three ingredients too. I looooove me some chili.
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January 29, 2014 at 7:18 pm
I love chili on a cold winter night!! It’s the best for warming me up.
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January 29, 2014 at 7:12 pm
A three ingredient meal of any kind is well worth making. Many times! Sounds good too!
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January 29, 2014 at 6:25 pm
You had me at crockpot…love any slow cooker recipes!
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January 29, 2014 at 6:06 pm
I am so glad you shared this gluten free chili recipe. My grandson has to eat gluten free and he has complained about missing grandpa’s chilli. perhaps this will replace that for him.
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January 29, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Yum! this looks so good. I’ve had chili but never really tried to make it.
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January 29, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Delicious! Your recipe is perfect for this cold weather! Love the foods that warm me up!
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January 29, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Yum. I love making chili in the crockpot and this looks super easy.
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January 29, 2014 at 5:35 pm
I have a big pot of chili on right now for dinner tonight! It is a staple meal in our home. Even during the summer! The kids love making frito pie with it.
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January 29, 2014 at 5:27 pm
That looks amazing! And so simple! I love chili this time of year! I will have to make some soon, thanks!
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January 29, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Now that’s a super simple chili to make! My husband’s rocks, but has a ton of ingredients in it.
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January 29, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Simple, yet delicious…my kinda recipe! I have saved the url to this recipe so that I can make it this weekend. I bet it will be a keeper for sure. I am going to add low fat cheese and sour cream.
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Angela S
January 29, 2014 at 4:06 pm
It’s hard to believe this is only 3 ingredients. It looks delish!
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January 29, 2014 at 4:04 pm
I love simple and easy meals, this looks so easy and good!!
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January 29, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Thank you for the stove top directions which actually sound simpler then the crock pot way (I am still going to get one of those one of these days.). I would probably 1/2 the recipe since I am single and will definitely be making this one of these cold winter days!
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January 29, 2014 at 3:58 pm
That looks delicious and so easy to make!
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January 29, 2014 at 3:46 pm
It’s so cold here today and this looks amazing! Easy!
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January 29, 2014 at 3:28 pm
What a great recipe. This would be perfect for a week night dinner. So easy to make, but I know my kids would eat it up.
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January 29, 2014 at 2:49 pm
I am gluten, wheat and grain free and have a great cauliflower pizza recipe that is simple. Thanks for the recipe
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Kristen from The Road to Domestication
January 29, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Okay, I love this! I did a post not long ago on 3-ingredient cookies – perhaps I should do a whole series of 3-ingredient recipes and have folks like you contribute! How great would that be?!
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January 29, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Sounds simple and delicious, perfect for these cold days we’re having in Indiana.
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January 29, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Mmmm… this is the perfect weather for chili, for sure! Love how easy this is to whip up. Haven’t tried making chili in the crockpot yet, but definitely will be soon. Thanks for sharing!
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January 29, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Love how simple and easy this is. Thanks
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January 29, 2014 at 1:14 pm
I am all about making chili in the crockpot! It’s just so easy, thanks for your awesome recipe!
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January 29, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Love chili, this recipes sounds nice and hardy! Looks delicious!
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January 29, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I love how easy this is! My husband really appreciates the easy recipe. Since I can’t eat beans, I rarely make him his favorite chili. I mean, why go through so much effort if you can’t eat it right? So I could totally throw this into the crock pot for him and not feel like I wasted my day on a meal I can’t eat!
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January 29, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Wow, just three ingredients? So easy, I’ll have to try it. Chili sounds so good on these cold winter days.
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January 29, 2014 at 12:10 pm
This one is a for sure recipe! Can’t wait to do it!
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January 29, 2014 at 11:53 am
This sounds amazing and I love how easy it is to make. My kids and I love Chili, so we will have to try this.
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January 29, 2014 at 11:52 am
Looks delicious! I’ve never put slasa in chili – gonna have to try that! One of the ways we combat the no convenience foo thing, is by making things like pizza crust ahead of time and freezing them. 🙂
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January 29, 2014 at 11:50 am
This looks amazing, and I love that it is only 3 ingredients, what a time saver!
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January 29, 2014 at 10:40 am
Oh my gosh! So simple and looks so good. I’m going to have to try this soon!
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January 29, 2014 at 9:41 am
Love that it’s 3 ingredients!!!! Totally making this!
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January 29, 2014 at 9:35 am
I absolutely love chili. Appreciate the gluten free recipe so I can make it for my daughter.
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January 29, 2014 at 9:18 am
My mother in law puts salsa in her chili. My husband loves it that way.
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January 29, 2014 at 8:38 am
Oh my goodness – this will really make me enjoy the food while feeling full! 🙂 Love it!
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January 29, 2014 at 8:25 am
Eating a special diet isn’t easy at first. But once you get into a routine, it is easier than most people think.
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January 29, 2014 at 8:24 am
Oh my goodness so simple and it looks delicious! Pinned! What I really like is that I usually always have those three ingredients in my house. The stove top method is a great meal when I need a fast meal to feed my bunch! 🙂
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