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Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe

Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe

This Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe is your ultimate weeknight savior, offering a rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy way to create a satisfying meal with minimal effort. You'll discover why it's a go-to for busy families and chili enthusiasts alike.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 bell peppers any color, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (4-ounce) can mild green chilies undrained
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 cup beef broth optional, for thinner chili

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Slow Cooker

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
    2 pounds lean ground beef
  2. Add the chopped yellow onion and bell peppers to the same skillet (or if you prefer a cleaner slow cooker, you can add them directly to the slow cooker later). Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the onions are softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 large yellow onion, 2 bell peppers, 3 cloves garlic
  3. Transfer the browned beef mixture, sautéed vegetables, and garlic to your slow cooker insert.
  4. To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and green chilies.
    1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, 1 (4-ounce) can mild green chilies
  5. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. If you're desiring a thinner chili, pour in the beef broth now.
    2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup beef broth
  6. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined and the spices are evenly distributed.
  7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is heated through.
  8. Before serving, taste the chili and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. If you prefer a spicier chili, you can add more cayenne pepper.
    1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Notes

Refrigerated leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days. Frozen chili can be kept for up to 2 to 3 months.
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