Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe That Cooks Itself (Print Version)
Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe with ground beef, beans, and bold spices. Set it and forget it comfort food that feeds a crowd perfectly.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 -
2 cans kidney beans, drained
03 -
1 can pinto beans, drained
04 -
1 large onion, diced
05 -
1 bell pepper, chopped
→ Flavor Boosters
06 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
2 tbsp chili powder
08 -
1 tbsp cumin
09 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
→ Liquid Gold
10 -
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
11 -
2 cups beef broth
12 -
2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Finishing Touches
13 -
Shredded cheese
14 -
Sour cream
15 -
Green onions, chopped
# Instructions:
01 -
Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking up with wooden spoon. Drain fat but leave a small amount for flavor.
02 -
Add onions and bell pepper to same pan, cook 5 minutes until softening. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 -
Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to pan with vegetables. Stir for 30 seconds until spices bloom and become fragrant.
04 -
Transfer everything to crockpot. Add browned beef, sautéed vegetables, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste. Stir well with wooden spoon.
05 -
Gently fold in kidney beans and pinto beans, distributing evenly throughout mixture. Cover with crockpot lid.
06 -
Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Remove lid last 30 minutes to thicken if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
Brown the meat first for incredible flavor depth-don't skip this step even though it's a crockpot recipe.
02 -
Stores perfectly in the fridge for 5 days and freezes for up to 3 months in portions.
03 -
Ground turkey works great as a lighter substitute, and any bean variety can replace the kidney or pinto beans.
04 -
Set up a toppings bar with cheese, sour cream, and green onions for the full experience everyone loves.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
6-quart crockpot
02 -
large skillet
03 -
wooden spoon
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 285
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 22g
Protein: 28g