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Easiest Crockpot Beef Chili: Hearty & Flavorful Slow Cooker

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This Crockpot Beef Chili is the ultimate weeknight hero, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal with minimal effort. Enjoy a rich, robust chili that delivers unparalleled heartiness and flavor, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
  • 1 yellow or white onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup non-alcoholic dark beer (optional)
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown your ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully browned and no pink remains, drain off any excess grease.
  2. To the same skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper with the onions and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onion and spice mixture into your slow cooker.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, beef broth, and the non-alcoholic dark beer (if using). Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
  6. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  7. Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  8. Once cooked, give the chili a final stir and taste for seasoning adjustments. Ladle hot into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Keywords: Browning the beef and sautéing the onions and spices before adding them to the slow cooker is critical for developing depth of flavor. Adjust the spice level by increasing cayenne pepper or adding jalapeño for heat. If the chili is too thin, simmer uncovered or use a cornstarch slurry to thicken.

Find it online: https://mamablueberry.com/easiest-crockpot-beef-chili-hearty-flavorful-slow-cooker/