Description
This Best Slow Cooker Chili recipe is a hearty, flavorful chili made with ground beef, a variety of tomatoes, beans, and a robust blend of spices. Perfect for a comforting meal, this chili slowly simmers to develop deep flavors and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes and Beans
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids and Flavorings
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Spices
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
Optional
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat to keep the chili from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the beef and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Transfer the beef and onion mixture to your slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, oregano, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chili on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible to help with even cooking.
- Adjust & Thicken: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed. To thicken the chili, remove the cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high to let excess liquid evaporate.
- Serve: Scoop the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, or avocado slices for added creaminess and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Adding the optional bell pepper enhances the texture and adds extra nutrients.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the chili.
- For a thicker chili, cook uncovered for a longer time at the end.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
