Description
Hearty slow cooker chili brings warmth and comfort to classic comfort food lovers. Packed with robust flavors and tender meat, this simple one-pot meal delivers delicious satisfaction you’ll crave on cool evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (lbs) lean ground beef
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 3 (8 ounces) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 (15 ounces) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned, eliminating any surplus grease.
- Relocate the seasoned meat into the slow cooker, incorporating finely diced onions, minced garlic, zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies, rich tomato sauce, and robust beef broth.
- Infuse the mixture with a harmonious blend of aromatic spices: chili powder, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, deep unsweetened cocoa powder, hint of sugar, fragrant coriander, plus salt and pepper for balanced seasoning.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chili to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or accelerate on high setting for 3-4 hours, developing complex flavor profiles.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, gently fold in kidney beans, ensuring they warm thoroughly and absorb the surrounding spices.
- Present the hearty chili piping hot, garnishing with generously shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.
Notes
- Boost meat flavor by browning ground beef with a pinch of smoked paprika before transferring to slow cooker.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground turkey or chicken as a protein alternative.
- Enhance depth of flavor by adding a small square of dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder for richer taste complexity.
- Make it vegetarian by substituting beef with plant-based crumbles and using vegetable broth for a protein-packed meatless version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg