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Best Easy Slow Cooker Chili with Ground Beef Recipe

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This slow cooker chili is packed with deep, smoky flavor from blooming spices with browned beef. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights and game day gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Optional: 1-2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and minced

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes). Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  2. Push beef to one side, add diced onion, and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. If using jalapeños, add with onion.
  3. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Pour about ¼ cup beef broth into the skillet, scrape up browned bits, and let bubble 30 seconds. Transfer everything to the slow cooker.
  5. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and remaining beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir until tomato paste is incorporated. Add drained kidney and pinto beans and stir gently.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Taste and adjust salt and spices about 30 minutes before serving.
  7. If chili is too thin, remove lid and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes to thicken, or mash some beans against the side of the slow cooker.
  8. Turn off slow cooker and let chili rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the beef and bloom the spices before adding to the slow cooker. Chili tastes even better the next day. Adjust spice level to your preference. If using lean beef, add 1 tablespoon oil when browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, ground beef chili, easy chili recipe, beef chili, chili con carne

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/best-easy-slow-cooker-chili-with-ground-beef-recipe/