Description
A rich, hearty, and intensely flavorful slow cooker chili that’s perfect for a crowd or a cozy family meal. Easy to prepare and packed with comforting ingredients, making it an ideal set-it-and-forget-it dish.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lbs ground beef (85/15 lean)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup beef broth
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (optional, for depth)
1 tsp salt, or to taste
0.5 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
Step 1: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
Step 2: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the same skillet (no need to clean it). Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Transfer the browned beef and sautéed vegetables to your slow cooker.
Step 4: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), crushed tomatoes, rinsed and drained kidney beans, rinsed and drained black beans, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
Step 5: Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
Step 6: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the chili is hot, flavorful, and the flavors have melded together beautifully. The longer it cooks on low, the more developed the flavors will be.
Step 7: Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat if desired.
Notes
For the best flavor, don't skip browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker. This step builds crucial flavor depth. Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño. Leftovers are even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Slow Cooker / Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg