Easy Slow Cooker Chili: Hearty Weeknight Comfort (Print Version)

This Easy Slow Cooker Chili recipe brings hearty flavor to your table with minimal fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights, it's rich, savory, and always a hit!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (check broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Base & Protein

01 - 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (90/10)
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 1 large bell pepper (any color), diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Flavor Builders

05 - 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
07 - 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
09 - 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)

→ Seasoning Mix

10 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
11 - 1 tablespoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
16 - Optional: 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

→ Finishing Touches

17 - Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
18 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for garnish
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
20 - Optional: sliced jalapeños

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, this is where the real flavor party starts for your <strong>Easy Slow Cooker Chili</strong>. Get a big skillet hot, add your ground beef, and break it up. Brown it really well, until it’s no longer pink. This step is non-negotiable, honestly! Draining off any excess fat is important here, unless you want a greasy chili. Then, toss in your diced onion and bell pepper. Let them soften up, getting all fragrant and slightly translucent. Oh, and the garlic? Add that in the last minute or so; you don't want it to burn, just to release its amazing aroma. I swear, this smell alone makes the whole house feel cozy.
02 - Now for the truly easy part! Carefully transfer your browned beef and sautéed veggies into your slow cooker. Next, add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and those rinsed kidney and pinto beans. Don't forget the beef broth! Give it a good stir to combine everything. This is where you start to see the chili come together, a beautiful mix of colors. I usually take a moment to admire my handiwork, even if the kitchen counter is a bit messy from all the chopping. It’s all part of the process, right?
03 - Time for the flavor magic! Sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. And a pinch of salt and pepper, of course! Give it another good stir, making sure all those wonderful spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. You want every bite of this <strong>Easy Slow Cooker Chili</strong> to be bursting with flavor. I sometimes add a tiny dash of cayenne pepper here if I'm feeling brave, or if I know we need an extra kick. This step always makes me excited for dinner!
04 - Lid on! Set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Honestly, the longer it simmers on low, the more the flavors meld and deepen. That’s the beauty of slow cooking, isn’t it? Just let it do its thing. I’ve definitely peeked a few too many times in the past, which lets out the heat and slows things down, so try to resist the urge! But if you can't help yourself, I get it; the smell is just too tempting.
05 - Once the cooking time is nearly up, give your <strong>Easy Slow Cooker Chili</strong> a good stir. The aroma filling your kitchen will be incredible! This is your moment to taste and adjust the seasonings. Does it need a little more salt? A dash more chili powder? Maybe a tiny splash of hot sauce for a bit of a kick? Trust your taste buds! I always find myself adding a tiny bit more salt at this stage, it just seems to wake up all the other flavors. This is where you make it truly *yours*.
06 - And just like that, dinner is ready! Ladle the hearty chili into bowls. This is the best part, seeing all your effort come to fruition. Top with your favorite garnishes – a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, some fresh cilantro, or even a few crushed tortilla chips. This <strong>Easy Slow Cooker Chili</strong> should look rich, thick, and inviting. It's truly a sight for sore eyes after a long day, a real testament to simple, delicious home cooking.

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip browning the beef! It builds a foundational flavor you just can't get otherwise.
02 - Resist lifting the slow cooker lid too often; each peek adds about 30 minutes to your cook time, honestly.
03 - A splash of apple cider vinegar or lime juice at the end brightens up all the flavors, I learned that the hard way.
04 - This chili freezes like a champ for up to 3 months, making future busy nights so much easier.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
03 - cutting board
04 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

Back