Sunday Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili

Name: Sunday Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 375 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes; 1 cup frozen corn; 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt

Put it in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a warm pot of chili. Mild, filling and made with canned beans, it feeds a crowd and is a natural for potlucks.

By Central Health Editors2 min read · Updated 21 Oct 2026

Sunday mornings are busy. This chili does the work while you are out. Ten minutes of chopping, everything into the pot, and lunch is ready when you get home. It is mild enough for kids and easy to dress up at the table.

Recipe

Sunday Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili

Serves: 8
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 6 to 8 hours on low

Slow cookerPotluckFreezer friendly

Ingredients

Steps

1Add everything to the slow cooker and stir well.
2Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
3Stir, taste and add more salt if needed.
4Serve with brown rice, sliced avocado and chopped green onions.

This recipe uses canned beans, which are already cooked and ready for the slow cooker.

Central Health Magazine

8servings from one potRecipe

15 minof hands on prepRecipe

4 monthsit keeps in the freezerUSDA

Bringing it to a potluck

Chili is a potluck favorite, but it needs to stay hot. The USDA says to keep hot foods at 140 F or above and not to leave perishable food out for more than two hours, or one hour when it is above 90 F.

Potluck tips

Bring it in the slow cooker and plug it in on the warm setting
Label it: three bean chili, no meat
Bring a ladle and small bowls
Put out toppings separately so guests can choose
Pack up leftovers within two hours

Freeze extra portions for up to three to four months. For more ways to share a meal with people who need it, read about Mary Seacole and starting a meal train.

About the author

Central Health Editors

Editorial team

The editorial team at Central Health Magazine. We read the research, explain it in plain language, and list every source so you can check it yourself.

Published 19 Oct 2026 · Last updated 21 Oct 2026

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Sources1. US Department of Agriculture. Leftovers and food safety. usda.gov/node/156712. US Department of Agriculture. Food safety tips for potlucks and gatherings. usda.gov/node/64066

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own physician. Don't start, stop or change a treatment based on what you read here. Read our medical disclaimer