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Cozy Slow Cooker Chili with Ground Beef and Beans

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A hearty and comforting slow cooker chili recipe featuring ground beef, beans, and a balanced blend of spices. Perfect for cozy winter meals and easy to prepare with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20, grass-fed preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper (red or green), diced
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes (no added salt or sugar)
  • 15 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder (blend with cumin and paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Optional garnishes: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 7-8 minutes.
  2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until onions are translucent and peppers soften, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker pot.
  4. Add drained kidney beans, black beans, canned diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Pour in beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well to distribute spices.
  6. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed. Add a splash of broth or water if chili is too thick.
  8. Serve warm with optional toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

Browning the meat adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience (cook on low for 8 hours if raw). Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium. Adjust liquids carefully to avoid soupy chili. Leftovers taste better after a day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, ground beef chili, winter meals, easy chili recipe, hearty chili, comfort food, chili with beans

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/cozy-slow-cooker-chili-with-ground-beef-and-beans-easy-recipe-for-perfect-winter-meals/