Looking for a comforting and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this slow cooker chili recipe! Packed with flavor and easy to make, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- This chili is bursting with savory flavors that meld together beautifully.
- The prep time is minimal, making it a great option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- It’s versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredient Notes:
- Olive oil: Adds richness and depth to the dish.
- Ground beef: Provides protein and hearty texture. Can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken.
- White onion, green pepper, garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add flavor to the chili.
- Chili powder, cumin, paprika: Essential spices that give the chili its signature taste.
- Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, tomato paste: Base ingredients for the chili.
- Kidney beans/Cannellini beans: Add protein and fiber to the dish.
- Beef broth: Adds richness and depth to the broth.
- Brown sugar, salt, black pepper: Balances the flavors in the chili.
- Dark chocolate: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the chili.
- Tabasco sauce: Optional for those who like a bit of heat.
- Toppings: Sour cream, cheddar cheese, corn chips, scallions for garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add diced onion, green pepper, and garlic. Cook until veggies are softened.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, and paprika until fragrant.
- Transfer mixture to a slow cooker and add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beans, beef broth, brown sugar, salt, pepper, chocolate, and Tabasco sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Helpful Tips:
- For a thicker chili, mash some of the beans before adding them to the pot.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder and Tabasco sauce.
- To deepen the flavor, let the chili sit for a few hours or overnight before serving.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use a combination of different beans for added texture and flavor.
- Experiment with different types of meat like ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add a dash of cinnamon for a warm and cozy flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this chili with cornbread, rice, or a side salad for a complete meal. Serve with a cold beer or a glass of red wine for a perfect cozy night in.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this chili vegetarian? Yes, simply omit the ground beef and add extra beans or tofu for protein.
- Can I freeze this chili? Yes, this chili freezes well for up to 3 months.
- How can I make this chili spicier? Increase the amount of chili powder and add a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
Conclusion:
Warm, hearty, and packed with flavor, this slow cooker chili is a must-try recipe for any chili lover. Give it a whirl and let us know how it turns out! Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Chili
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins – 8 hrs 15 mins
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Slow Cooker Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for cold nights. With a mix of ground beef, beans, and spices, this chili is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef 85-90%
- 1 white onion finely diced
- 1 green pepper finely diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste or 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 20 oz Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 16 oz can dark kidney beans drained
- 16 oz can light kidney beans drained
- 16 oz can white kidney beans/Cannellini beans drained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ ounce dark chocolate bar
- 1 teaspoon tabasco sauce
Optional Toppings:
- sour cream
- cheddar cheese
- corn chips
- scallions
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook ground beef until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients: Add onion, green pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beans, beef broth, sugar, salt, pepper, chocolate, and tabasco sauce to the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, corn chips, and scallions.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder and tabasco sauce.
- For a thicker chili, reduce the amount of beef broth used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg