4.70 from 10 reviews

Slow Cooker Lamb Chili

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Lamb Chili in a bowl topped with jalapenos with a grey napkin on the side

A twist on a classic slow cooker chili – using LAMB!

DISCLOSURE: I WENT ON A SPONSORED TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS WITH NOURISH WITH LAMB, BUT WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST. ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

I had the opportunity to attend a Culinary Medicine & Lamb Workshop in New Orleans with several other Registered Dietitian Nutritionists around the United States.

What an incredible feeling to connect with like minded people who all have the same passion towards nutrition, blogging, health and dietetics. 

A big takeaway from the trip for me was, “Why don’t I cook with lamb more often!?”

I learned in NOLA how delicious lamb is and how easy it is to cook with. People are often intimidated about lamb. They don’t know how to cook with it.What flavors go well with lamb.

Should you braise it, use it for kabobs or cook it low and slow?

Let’s cover some basics of lamb!

While some lamb are finished on wholesome grain, they spend most of their time grazing in pastures on a mixture of greens and legumes. 

What about nutritionally? Is lamb healthy?

Lamb is a powerful protein and makes this Slow Cooker Lamb Chili a great protein, fiber packed option.

Actually, a single portion (3oz.) of lamb provides over half of your daily protein needs. Personally, this is ideal for me since I am so active.

Another reason lamb is great fuel for actives bodies is due to the vitamins and minerals it contains: iron, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, selenium and riboflavin, as well as omega-3-fatty acids.

Did you know that lean lamb is a source of healthy, unsaturated fats. Nearly 40% of the fat in lean lamb is heart healthy monounsaturated fats! 

Can you taste the lamb in this Slow Cooker Lamb Chili? Is it gamey?

It is true that lamb is flavor forward but, in my opinion it is not gamey. At least the ground lamb I used for this recipe was not gamey tasting.

Lamb adds a special depth of flavor so you can really add a lot of veggies and beans in this stew for boosting the flavor and nutrition of this dish. 

slow cooker lamb chili topped with jalapenos and cheese in a blue bowl

This recipe is a spinoff of my 4 Bean Crock Pot Chili recipe. I did my best to simplify the ingredient list, used the ground lamb instead of ground beef and it’s a little less spicy!

Typically slow cooker chili is made with ground meat (like beef or turkey). I was so excited that using lamb turned out so well in this dish!

To make this chili even EASIER for you, be sure to prep this Easy Homemade Chili Seasoning in advance! I like to keep it in a mason jar in the pantry with my other spices so that way it’s ready to go for chili time!

Slow Cooker Chili is…

  • Simple to make
  • Rich in fiber and protein
  • Is flavor forward
  • Spicy but not too spicy
  • Perfect for Game Day or a chilly Winter night

I used some of my favorite beans in this recipe: cannellini beans, dark red kidney beans, pinto beans and black beans. (All 15 oz. cans) I drain and rinse each can and add the beans to the slow cooker

Before you put the meat in the slow cooker, you will cook the ground lamb in a skillet over medium high heat with the onion and olive oil. That is the only pan you will have to clean besides the slow cooker pot! 

It’s safe to say this Slow Cooker Lamb Chili will be around with my family for a long time!

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Lamb Chili in a bowl topped with jalapenos with a grey napkin on the side
4.70 from 10 reviews

Slow Cooker Lamb Chili

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 cups
Slow Cooker Lamb Chili takes minimal effort and is an easy, uncomplicated meal for weeknight dinners or to enjoy for a Game Day! 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground lamb
  • 2 Tbsp. garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, no salt
  • 1 cup medium salsa (thick and chunky)
  • 1/2 bottle red wine (save the other half to drink!)
  • 4 Tbsp. taco sauce (2 Tbsp. green, 2 red)
  • 1/2 cup Chili Seasoning (see notes)
  • 1 15 oz can Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz can Dark Red Kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz can Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz can Black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz can Yellow corn

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • In a large frying pan, brown ground lamb with fresh garlic, onions and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once cooked, pour into bottom of slow cooker (crock pot does not need to be turned on yet).
  • Pour all remaining ingredients onto the meat/onion mixture into the crockpot. Stir all ingredients together and set crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. Stir occasionally. Enjoy with cheddar cheese and sliced jalapeños on top. 

Notes

https://krollskorner.com/recipes/easy-homemade-chili-seasoning/

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 240kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 27.2g (9%), Protein: 15.3g (31%), Fat: 5.2g (8%), Sodium: 549mg (24%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

 Have you cooked with ground lamb before? What’s your favorite meal to make with it?!

Lamb Chili in a bowl topped with jalapenos with a grey napkin on the side
Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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vadie

This was so yummy. Everyone loved it.

Marc S James

I made this recipe with a few tweaks. I added a heaping tablespoon of red pepper jelly and two tablespoons of Colman’s Prepared Mustard. I also finely chopped one medium-sized mango and added a dash of red wine when I thought the moisture content was getting low. I used a dutch oven and the “XLO” setting on my cooktop instead of a slow cooker. It took about 90 minutes on the stove of constant watching and stirring.

Reginna

Can this be made on the stove as well?

Denise

I made this yesterday. I loved the easy preparation. I didn’t have canned pinto beans on hand so substituted butter beans instead. I also didn’t make the special chili seasoning but instead used a couple of packets of chili seasoning. I also added some turmeric, cinnamon and red pepper and, yes, a bit of salt. I loved it! Very thick and hearty. Will definitely make again. I love lamb and the flavor it adds.

Emily Kyle

This chili was the best ever!! I am so in love with lamb now and so thankful we got to go on this trip together!

Liz Shaw

It’s entirely possible that less than half of the red wine went into this recipe… Still amazing!

Trini

What is a suggestion as to what red wine to use? I’m not a wine drinker so I’m lost in this area. Or suggestion as to a substitute for red wine?

Meme

I barely cook with lamb but I went to the store and got some just to make this chili! It was so comforting and delicious on the cold fall day I ate it on!

Lindsey

Love this – I was intimidated to cook with lamb but using ground lamb was such a great and easy first recipe with it! Thanks!

Anna Kate Goshko

I’ve never thought of using ground lamb in chili. Will definitely do this soon!

Emily

I’ve never tried lamb or the slow cooker setting on my IP! Need to try this!!