Slow Cooker Chili Ground Beef (Print Version)

Hearty chili simmered low and slow with beef, beans, tomatoes, and warming spices for cozy meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
08 - 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
16 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Chopped cilantro
19 - Shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Sour cream
21 - Diced avocado
22 - Sliced jalapeños

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain the excess fat.
02 - Place the browned ground beef into the slow cooker.
03 - Add onion, red and green bell peppers, garlic, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth into the slow cooker.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It cooks itself while you do literally anything else.
  • The flavors get deeper and richer the longer it sits.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, and it freezes like a dream.
02 -
  • Drain the beef well or you'll have a greasy layer on top that no amount of stirring will fix.
  • Don't open the lid to stir halfway through, you lose 20 minutes of heat every time you peek.
  • If it's too thick at the end, stir in a splash of broth or water until it loosens up.
03 -
  • Toast your chili powder and cumin in the skillet with the beef for 30 seconds before adding to the slow cooker, it wakes up the oils and makes everything more fragrant.
  • If you like it spicier, add a diced jalapeño with the peppers instead of relying only on cayenne.
  • Always taste before serving, slow cookers can dull seasoning so you might need a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lime to brighten it up.

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