Description
A hearty and flavorful Crock Pot chili recipe that combines sautéed vegetables, ground beef, beans, and tomatoes simmered slowly for a perfect, comforting meal. This easy slow cooker chili is ideal for game day, family dinners, or meal prep, offering a balanced blend of spices and rich textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
Beans and Tomatoes
- 15.5 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15.5 ounces chili hot beans, drained and rinsed
- 29 ounces diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
Spices and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons chili powder, divided
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon salt
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other cooking oil)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the onion, green bell pepper, and mince the garlic cloves into small pieces to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the 2 pounds of ground beef to the skillet with the softened vegetables. Cook the beef until it is nearly browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks for even browning.
- Season Meat: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chili powder over the meat and vegetables in the skillet. Continue cooking until the ground beef is fully browned and well seasoned.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat and vegetable mixture into a slow cooker. Add the kidney beans, chili hot beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons chili powder, cumin, onion powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to low heat. Allow the chili to cook for approximately 4 hours to let the flavors meld and the ingredients become tender and rich.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner version.
- Drain and rinse the beans to reduce sodium and improve taste.
- If you prefer a thicker chili, stir and cook uncovered in the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes.
- Serve with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
