Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty crockpot chili, blending robust flavors with minimal prep. Meat, beans, and spices meld together slowly, promising a soul-warming meal that delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
Canned Ingredients:
- 1 (28 ounces) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces) can black beans (or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
Seasonings and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups beef broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly bits until a rich, caramel-brown color develops and no pink remains.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until aromatics become translucent and fragrant, releasing their sweet, pungent essence.
- Carefully drain accumulated grease, ensuring a lean, flavorful base for the chili.
- Transfer the beef and onion mixture into the crockpot, creating a robust foundation for the dish.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and tomato sauce, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the pot.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and paprika across the surface, gently folding to integrate the warm, complex spices.
- Add a splash of beef broth to enhance moisture and deepen the overall flavor profile.
- Cover and set the crockpot to low heat, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste over 6-8 hours.
- Periodically stir the chili, ensuring spices are well-distributed and preventing any potential scorching.
- Taste and adjust seasoning in the final hour of cooking, adding salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavor.
- Serve piping hot, garnished with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, healthier chili base.
- Consider browning meat in batches to ensure proper caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Season ground beef with salt and pepper during cooking to enhance the meat’s natural flavor profile.
- For vegetarian options, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or hearty beans like black and kidney beans to maintain protein content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg