Slow Cooker Hearty Chili (Printable version)

Hearty beef and bean chili with tomatoes and spices, perfect for cold weather.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Beans & Legumes

05 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Tomatoes & Liquids

07 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef until no longer pink, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
02 - Place the cooked beef, diced onion, minced garlic, diced bell pepper, kidney beans, black beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth into the slow cooker.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper over the mixture.
04 - Stir all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH setting for 3-4 hours.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spice levels as desired before serving.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, optionally garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It is a true dump and go miracle that lets you reclaim your entire afternoon for yourself.
  • The flavors deepen in the slow cooker in a way that a quick stovetop simmer just cannot match.
02 -
  • Rinsing the beans thoroughly prevents the chili from becoming overly salty or having a metallic canned aftertaste.
  • Adding a splash of beef broth instead of water ensures the liquid contributes to the depth of flavor.
03 -
  • For a deeper complexity try adding a single chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the pot.
  • Always let the chili sit for ten minutes after turning off the heat to let the sauce thicken up slightly.
Go Back