Slow Cooker Beef Chili: Easy Hearty Dinner Recipe (Print Version)

Slow cooker beef chili simmers all day for a rich, flavorful, and comforting meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd with minimal effort.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 480 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 500 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Chili Base

01 - 2 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
03 - 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
04 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Bean & Veggie Boost

05 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
06 - 1 green bell pepper, chopped
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
09 - 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

→ Signature Chili Spice Blend

10 - 1/4 cup chili powder
11 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
14 - 1 tbsp light brown sugar
15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

# Instructions:

01 - Brown 2 lbs lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. This crucial step forms the hearty base for your Best Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe.
02 - In the same skillet (or a clean one), sauté 1 large yellow onion, chopped, and 1 green bell pepper, chopped, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add 4 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
03 - Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onion, bell pepper, and garlic to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes (undrained), 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, and 1 cup beef broth.
04 - Stir in 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans (rinsed and drained) and 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained). Add 1/4 cup chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp light brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
05 - Stir all ingredients thoroughly in the slow cooker to combine everything well. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. This long simmer develops the rich, deep flavors of your Best Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe.
06 - Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the chili rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Ladle generous portions of this Best Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe into bowls.

# Notes:

01 - For an even richer flavor, don't skip browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker.
02 - Leftover chili stores wonderfully! Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
03 - Customize your heat level by adjusting the 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
04 - Serve this hearty chili with your favorite toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, or a side of warm cornbread.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker
02 - Large skillet
03 - Cutting board
04 - Knife
05 - Can opener
06 - Measuring cups
07 - Measuring spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 375 kcal
Total Fat: 15 g
Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
Protein: 32 g

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