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Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 24 reviews

This hearty Slow Cooker Chili recipe combines ground beef, beans, and rich tomato flavors simmered slowly for a warm, comforting meal. Perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner, this dish balances spices and textures with kidney and black beans, seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika for a flavorful depth.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1.5 pounds (680g) ground beef (80/20 for flavor or lean if preferred)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced finely
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced fresh

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

Tomatoes and Sauce

  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

Spices and Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground if possible

Liquids

  • 1 cup beef broth

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves to ensure they cook evenly and release their flavors well during the cooking process.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking up large chunks. Drain excess fat if desired to reduce grease.
  3. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker. Add diced onion, minced garlic, drained kidney and black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Pour in Beef Broth: Add 1 cup of beef broth to loosen the mixture and help meld the flavors as it cooks.
  5. Stir to Combine: Mix all ingredients thoroughly to distribute spices and ensure an even cooking.
  6. Cook on Low: Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 6 to 8 hours. This slow simmer allows spices to deepen and beans to become tender without overcooking beef.
  7. Check and Adjust Seasoning: About 30 minutes before serving, stir chili and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder to your liking.
  8. Serve: Spoon chili into bowls warm. Optionally, garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Using 80/20 ground beef adds richer flavor but can create more fat; lean beef reduces fat content but may be less juicy.
  • Rinsing canned beans helps reduce sodium and improve texture.
  • If you prefer spicier chili, increase chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with extra beans or textured vegetable protein and use vegetable broth.
  • Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, beef chili, easy chili recipe, crockpot chili, hearty chili, ground beef chili, bean chili

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/slow-cooker-chili-recipe/