Classic Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
This Classic Slow Cooker Chili Recipe combines lean ground beef, a blend of spices, beans, and tomatoes to create a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family meals. Cooking the chili slowly allows flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a rich and satisfying taste with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lb lean Ground Beef (90/10 or 93/7)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Beans and Tomatoes
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 30 oz kidney beans (two 15 oz cans), drained and rinsed
- 30 oz diced tomatoes with juice
- 10 oz diced tomatoes and green chilis with juice
- 30 oz tomato sauce
Instructions
- Sauté Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the lean ground beef for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula until it releases fat.
- Add Onion and Seasonings: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and the seasonings—cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper—and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to combine the flavors well.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the drained and rinsed black and kidney beans, diced tomatoes with their juice, diced tomatoes and green chilis with juice, and tomato sauce. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Cook Chili Slowly: Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 3 to 4 hours, or set it to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours to let the flavors meld deeply. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty chili.
Notes
- For a thicker chili, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Using lean ground beef reduces excess fat making the chili healthier.
- Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium content.
- Add toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for extra flavor.
- This chili freezes well for easy meal prep.
Keywords: slow cooker chili, classic chili recipe, ground beef chili, easy chili, hearty chili, bean chili, slow cooker recipes
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/classic-slow-cooker-chili-recipe/
