Slow Cooker Chili (Print version)

Hearty beef and bean chili that simmers all day in your slow cooker. Packed with spices and ready when you are.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
02 - Transfer the cooked beef to a slow cooker with at least 5-quart capacity. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, drained kidney beans, drained black beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into the slow cooker.
04 - Stir all ingredients with a wooden spoon until well combined and evenly distributed.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH setting for 3 to 4 hours, until flavors meld and chili reaches desired consistency.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed to achieve desired flavor profile.
07 - Ladle chili into bowls and serve hot. Optionally garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It magically transforms simple pantry staples into a rich feast while you go about your busy day.
  • The slow simmer allows the spices to meld in a way that quick stovetop versions simply cannot match.
02 -
  • Rinsing the beans thoroughly is the only way to keep the chili from becoming overly salty or murky.
  • A tiny splash of beef broth at the end can revive leftovers that have thickened too much in the fridge.
03 -
  • Searing the meat until it is truly dark brown adds a layer of complexity you cannot get otherwise.
  • A single chipotle pepper in adobo sauce will take the smokiness to a professional level.
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