Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili is your new best friend for those busy weeknights, delivering a comforting and deeply flavorful meal with minimal effort. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty and satisfying chili that practically cooks itself.
Key Ingredients for Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for flavor)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to Make Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili
This Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili is designed for ultimate simplicity, requiring just a few minutes of prep before your slow cooker does all the work. The result is a rich, savory, and incredibly comforting bowl of chili, bursting with tender ground beef and a medley of beans. With a preparation time of only 15 minutes, you can have a delicious homemade meal ready for dinner with minimal fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Beef and Onion: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pound of ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the browned ground beef and onion mixture to your slow cooker insert. Add the crushed tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, drained and rinsed black beans, diced green chilies, and the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (with their liquid).
Add Spices and Seasonings: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add the salt and black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chili mixture.
Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer it simmers on low, the more the flavors will meld and deepen.
Taste and Adjust: Before serving, give the chili a good stir and taste it. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a thinner chili, you can add a splash of beef broth or water. If you want it thicker, you can leave it uncovered for the last 30 minutes of cooking on high, or remove the lid and gently simmer on the stovetop for a bit.
Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the hot chili into bowls and top with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Why You’ll Love This Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili
You’ll absolutely adore this Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili for its heartwarming ease and incredible versatility. The star of the show is the deeply satisfying, slow-simmered flavor that infuses every spoonful, making it a comfort food champion. Best of all, making this chili at home is significantly more budget-friendly than opting for takeout or pre-made versions, allowing you to enjoy a wholesome and delicious meal without breaking the bank. The perfectly balanced blend of spices, tender ground beef, and hearty beans creates a rich texture that’s just begging for your favorite savory toppings.
Imagine cozying up with a steaming bowl, enhanced by creamy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh chives – it’s pure bliss! Compared to a quick stovetop chili, this slow cooker version develops a much more nuanced and complex flavor profile, making it a truly special experience. So, gather your ingredients, toss them into the slow cooker, and get ready to fall in love with your new go-to chili recipe that promises pure deliciousness with minimal effort.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your leftover Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
Refrigeration:
- Allow the chili to cool slightly before transferring it to airtight containers.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- For best results, ensure the containers are completely sealed to prevent the chili from drying out or absorbing other odors from the refrigerator.
Freezing:
- Let the chili cool completely before freezing.
- Portion the chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- You can also freeze it in muffin tins and then transfer the frozen portions to a freezer bag for easy individual servings.
- Frozen chili will stay fresh for 2 to 3 months.
Reheating:
- Stovetop: Transfer the chilled or frozen chili to a saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth if the chili is too thick.
- Microwave: Place a serving of chili in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot.
- Slow Cooker: For larger batches, you can reheat chili directly in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Final Thoughts
This Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili is a testament to how simple ingredients and a little patience can yield truly wonderful results. It’s the perfect, fuss-free meal for any occasion, and we encourage you to give it a try soon!
Cozy Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pound of ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for flavor), 1 large onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Transfer the browned ground beef and onion mixture to your slow cooker insert. Add the crushed tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, drained and rinsed black beans, diced green chilies, and the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (with their liquid).
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add the salt and black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chili mixture.2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer it simmers on low, the more the flavors will meld and deepen.
- Before serving, give the chili a good stir and taste it. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a thinner chili, you can add a splash of beef broth or water. If you want it thicker, you can leave it uncovered for the last 30 minutes of cooking on high, or remove the lid and gently simmer on the stovetop for a bit.1 teaspoon salt, or to taste, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Ladle the hot chili into bowls and top with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Notes
Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freezing: Frozen chili will stay fresh for 2 to 3 months.
Reheating: Stovetop, Microwave, or Slow Cooker methods are provided.