Slow Cooker Chili Ground Beef (Printer-friendly)

Rich slow-cooked chili with ground beef, beans, and spices, perfect for cozy meals and gatherings.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
07 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 3 tbsp chili powder
11 - 2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Liquids

17 - 1 cup beef broth
18 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

# Method:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and transfer to the slow cooker.
02 - Add the diced onion, bell peppers, garlic, diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, pepper, beef broth, and tomato paste to the slow cooker. Stir until evenly combined.
03 - Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until flavors have melded and vegetables are tender.
04 - Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed. Serve hot with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or jalapeños.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does almost all the work while you go about your day
  • This recipe makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunches all week
  • The flavors deepen over time so leftovers actually taste better
02 -
  • Browning the beef first is not negotiable, it builds flavor base you cannot achieve any other way
  • The chili will taste brighter on day one but deeper and more complex on day two
  • Do not lift the lid during cooking unless absolutely necessary
03 -
  • The tomato paste might clump if added directly to hot liquid, whisk it into the beef broth first
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar right before serving brightens everything up

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