Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
A hearty, flexible slow-cooker chili made with pantry staples or fresh ingredients. Perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, or using home-canned goods.
Ingredients
Chili Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons ground chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
Chili
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 pounds lean ground beef ground sirloin or ground round
- 32 ounces plain tomato sauce
- 8 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces green chiles diced
- 15 ounces kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
- Toppings of choice: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, salsa, or hot sauce.
Instructions
Mix the seasoning:
- In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cocoa powder, paprika, sugar, oregano, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.
Saute the aromatics:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Brown the beef:
- In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat and add the beef to the slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients (except beans):
- Stir in the seasoning mix, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and green chiles.
Slow cook:
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Add the beans:
- Stir in the beans during the last 15 minutes of cooking and heat through.
Taste and serve:
- Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm with your favorite chili toppings.
Notes
- Fresh tomato option: Replace canned tomato products with about 2 to 3 pounds of peeled, chopped fresh tomatoes. See post above for details.
- Using dried beans: Cook beans ahead of time and add them at the end of cooking.
- Make it meatless: Omit the ground beef and add extra beans.
- Adjust the heat: Add jalapeños, extra red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to taste.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 28.3gProtein: 14.1gFat: 7.1gSaturated Fat: 1.9gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 817mgPotassium: 854mgFiber: 9.7gSugar: 8.3gCalcium: 600mgIron: 0.7mg
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