Description
Robust Spicy Slow Cooker Chili delivers warm comfort with ground beef, beans, and rich tomato base. Rich layers of flavor simmer together, creating a satisfying meal perfect for winter gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef, lean (90/10 or 93/7)
- 15 oz (425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 30 oz (850 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 30 oz (850 g) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 30 oz (850 g) tomato sauce
- 10 oz (283 g) diced tomatoes and green chilis, with juice
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps chili powder
- 2 tsps cumin powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 ½ tsps salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into fine crumbles to enhance flavor and release natural juices.
- Seasoning Fusion: Sauté onions until translucent, then incorporate garlic and spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Transfer seasoned beef mixture to slow cooker, ensuring all caramelized bits are scraped from the skillet. Add black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, and tomato sauce, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Simmering Process: Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, complex taste profile.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve in bowls and embellish with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro to elevate the dish’s texture and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Brown Meat Thoroughly: Properly browning ground beef develops deep, caramelized flavors and prevents watery chili texture.
- Layer Spices Strategically: Sautéing spices with onions and meat releases essential oils, intensifying overall taste and aroma.
- Bean Selection Matters: Using a combination of black and kidney beans provides varied texture and enhanced nutritional profile.
- Slow Cooking Magic: Extended low-temperature cooking allows ingredients to meld, creating rich, complex flavor development.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg