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Easy Slow Cooker Hearty Chili Recipe Perfect for Cozy Winter Meals

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A warm, comforting, and easy slow cooker chili recipe perfect for chilly winter evenings. Packed with layers of flavor and simple ingredients, this hearty chili is a crowd-pleaser and a winter staple.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20) or ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red or green)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the bell peppers. Drain and rinse the kidney and black beans.
  2. Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Add diced onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet with the meat. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker.
  5. Add beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth to the slow cooker.
  6. Season with chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  7. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If chili is too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
  9. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or cilantro.

Notes

Brown the meat well to add caramelized flavor. Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and metallic taste. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. Adjust thickness at the end by cooking uncovered on high if needed. The chili tastes better the next day after flavors meld. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, hearty chili, easy chili recipe, winter meals, comfort food, ground beef chili, ground turkey chili, crockpot chili

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/easy-slow-cooker-hearty-chili-recipe-perfect-for-cozy-winter-meals/