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Dr Pepper Chili in the Crock Pot

Dr Pepper Chili in the Crock Pot

Set-and-forget slow cooker chili with a sweet-spicy push from cola, hearty beans, and bold spices. Cozy, rich, and weeknight-easy.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lb ground beef 85–90% lean works well
  • 1.5 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 28 oz diced tomatoes with juices
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 15 oz kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium preferred
  • 12 fl oz spiced cherry cola soda
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to balance sweetness
  • 2 tsp brown sugar optional, to taste
  • 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder deepens flavor
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 tsp ground chipotle chili optional heat

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Brown the beef in two batches, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
  • Add onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
  • Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Toast 1 minute. Mix in tomato paste and cook 1 minute more.
  • Splash in a little cola or broth to deglaze. Scrape up browned bits.
  • Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, both beans, broth, remaining cola, Worcestershire, brown sugar, vinegar, cocoa, chipotle, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  • Cover and cook on Low 6–7 hours or High 3–4 hours, until thick and bubbly.
  • Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar. To thicken, uncover for the last 20–30 minutes; to loosen, add a splash of broth.
  • Serve hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, and sliced green onions.

Notes

Variation: Swap half the beef for ground pork or turkey. Add minced jalapeño for extra heat, or a square of dark chocolate in place of cocoa for a deeper finish. Serving tip: Spoon over baked potatoes or rice. Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Dr Pepper Chili in the Crock Pot flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.