Description
Slow Cooker Beef Chili is a rich, hearty, and comforting dish made with tender ground beef, beans, crushed tomatoes, and bold warming spices. Slowly simmered for hours, this easy crockpot chili develops deep flavor and a thick, satisfying texture. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep, this homemade beef chili tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2 lbs) ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cans (400 g each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (400 g) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (400 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer the beef and onion mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add diced red and green bell peppers, kidney beans, and black beans.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar.
- Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. For thicker chili, cook uncovered for the last 20–30 minutes.
Notes
Brown the beef before slow cooking for deeper flavor and better texture. Add a small square of dark chocolate at the end for extra richness. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg