This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili is your go-to solution for a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Designed for maximum taste with minimal effort, this recipe delivers a rich and satisfying chili that will quickly become a family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow 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 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat
How to Make Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili
This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili is remarkably simple to prepare, promising a delicious and deeply satisfying meal with minimal fuss. Just a few minutes of prep work will fill your home with an irresistible aroma as the slow cooker works its magic, transforming humble ingredients into a rich, flavorful, and incredibly hearty chili. The preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy schedules.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet (without draining it completely, if you wish, to retain some of the beefy flavor) and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine All Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned ground beef, sautéed onion and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, drained and rinsed black beans, undrained diced tomatoes, undrained diced green chilies, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel).
- Add Spices: Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chili.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is heated through.
- Serve: Before serving, give the chili a good stir. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as desired.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili
This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili is an absolute winner because of its incredibly deep and comforting flavor profile, achieved with surprisingly little effort. Unlike its stovetop counterpart which requires constant attention, this slow cooker version lets you set it and forget it, allowing the ingredients to meld into pure deliciousness. The rich blend of spices, tender ground beef, and hearty beans creates a truly satisfying meal that’s reminiscent of Grandma’s cooking, but accessible to even the busiest cooks.
Furthermore, making this chili at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to buying pre-made chili or eating out, without sacrificing any of that homemade goodness. The optional toppings add a delightful burst of freshness and flavor – imagine creamy sour cream, sharp shredded cheddar cheese, crunchy tortilla chips, or a dollop of cool avocado. These additions elevate the chili from simply delicious to a truly customizable culinary experience that everyone can enjoy. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and let this easy Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili transform your next meal!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili is key to enjoying it throughout the week.
- Refrigeration: Once the chili has cooled down to room temperature (this usually takes about 1-2 hours), transfer it to airtight containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the containers are well-sealed to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the chili in individual portions or larger containers. Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Label your containers with the date for easy tracking.
- Reheating from Refrigerator: To reheat refrigerated chili, spoon your desired portion into a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Reheating from Freezer: Thaw frozen chili overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat using the methods described above for refrigerated chili. If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat directly from frozen in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, or in the microwave on defrost setting before heating through.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili truly embodies comfort food at its finest, offering a deeply savory and satisfying meal with incredible ease. Give this recipe a try for a simple, delicious, and budget-friendly dinner that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet (without draining it completely, if you wish, to retain some of the beefy flavor) and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 large yellow onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Transfer the browned ground beef, sautéed onion and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, drained and rinsed black beans, undrained diced tomatoes, undrained diced green chilies, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel).1.5 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large yellow 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 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained, 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chili.2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste, Pinch cayenne pepper for extra heat
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is heated through.
- Before serving, give the chili a good stir. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as desired.1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste