Description
This Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked meal combining ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese with a blend of spices for a perfect spicy kick. Ideal for cozy gatherings or an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers rich, creamy queso-infused chili with optional toppings for added texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (10 oz) condensed cheese soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Spices & Oils
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Diced green onions
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, ensuring it’s broken up evenly. Drain any excess fat to keep the chili from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the same skillet with the beef. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and fragrant, enhancing the chili’s depth of flavor.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onion, and garlic into your crockpot. Add the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes with juice, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and condensed cheese soup.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible to meld the flavors and prevent sticking.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely and integrates into the chili, creating a creamy queso texture.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and add more cayenne pepper if you prefer extra heat. Prepare optional toppings like sour cream, diced green onions, and jalapeños to garnish before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
- Drain the excess fat from the browned beef to keep the chili less greasy and healthier.
- Stirring occasionally during the crockpot cooking helps prevent beans from sticking to the sides and ensures even cooking.
- Use full-fat condensed cheese soup for the best creamy texture; light versions may alter taste and consistency.
- This chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
