Description
Hearty slow cooker chili delights families with rich, robust flavors from ground beef, beans, and spices. Comfort meets convenience in this simple, satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 (28 oz/794 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans (or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 (6 oz/170 g) can tomato paste
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) beef broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until caramelized and fully cooked, eliminating any pink coloration.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their vibrant flavors.
- Foundation Building: Transfer meat mixture to crockpot, draining excess grease to create a lean, robust base for the chili.
- Liquid and Vegetable Integration: Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and tomato sauce, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and paprika across the mixture, gently folding to incorporate warm, complex seasonings.
- Moisture and Depth: Pour beef broth into the crockpot, creating a rich liquid environment that will intensify overall flavor.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set crockpot to low heat, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a deep, harmonious taste over 6-8 hours.
- Final Touches: Periodically stir the chili, adjusting seasonings in the last hour to balance flavors with salt and pepper.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle the steaming chili into bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef thoroughly to develop a deep, caramelized flavor and eliminate excess fat, ensuring a rich and robust base for the chili.
- Spice Layering: Add spices gradually and fold gently to distribute complex flavors evenly, preventing clumping and ensuring a balanced taste throughout the dish.
- Moisture Management: Monitor liquid levels during cooking to prevent dryness, using beef broth strategically to maintain a perfect, hearty consistency without becoming soupy.
- Dietary Adaptations: Easily transform this recipe by substituting ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or textured vegetable protein for vegetarian and vegan versions, maintaining the recipe’s core flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg