Feel free to substitute for just about any ingredient in this classic crockpot chili recipe. Use your imagination We like our chili mild, so if your ideal chili burns your tongue, add red pepper flakes, jalapeno and habanero chilies, and of course, more chili powder. And make sure you take a look at all of our chili recipes for even more ideas. Real chili from texas or mexico does not contain any beans and uses pieces of round steak or chuck instead of ground beef. But if you're looking for a classic american chili recipe, this one is hard to beat. It's a mild recipe, so season it according to your tastes. All you need with this simple recipe is some sour cream, sliced avocados or guacamole, shredded cheese, a green salad, and some cold iced tea or beer.