Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

This Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili is a crowd-pleasing ‘pull out all the stops’ kind of chili.

Your new go-to chili recipe is here.

We all have a go-to chili recipe that we make whenever we need an easy weeknight meal or a dish for potluck or party. Some have beans and some don’t. Some are mild and mellow and some nearly take your breath away.

I think that a person’s go-to chili is a window to their soul.

Just kidding. I don’t know what your go-to recipe says about you other than how spicy/chunky/thick you like it. I do know, however, that this Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili is all of those things and more. It’s truly a ‘pull out all the stops’ kind of chili – seasoned ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, chiles, peppers, three kinds of beans, sweet and savory spices – it’s all in there. And although the ingredient list looks long, the prep time is surprisingly short with only a few veggies to chop and a few cans to open.

It also pulls out all the stops when it comes to flavor. Trust me!

Why I love this Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili.

• Chunky – There are lots of veggies, ground beef, and beans in here to give it texture.
• Thick – No soup-like chili here. This one is almost thick enough to stand your spoon up in.
• Spicy – Or more accurately, spicy as you want it to be. Omit the jalapeño pepper for a milder chili, or double it and use spicy chili powder for some more serious heat.
• Packed with fiber – Boasting 11 grams of fiber from beans, one serving meets almost 1/2 to 1/3 of the daily recommended fiber intake for women (25 grams) and men (38 grams) according to the Mayo Clinic.
• Packed with flavor – From the fire-roasted tomatoes and chiles to the cinnamon and cocoa powder, this Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili boasts a complex set of flavors that will have you coming back for more.

Slow Cooker Convenience + Slow Simmer Flavor

It’s no secret that I LOVE my Instant Pot and that nine times out of 10, I reach for it before I reach for the slow cooker. But when it comes to this Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili, the slow cooker is hands down the way to go. The long, slow-cooking time results in a chili that’s thick and concentrated with more developed flavors.

Plus, few things beat coming home after a long day away to a meal that’s ready when you are! I mean, what’s better than opening the front door to smell of slow-cooked chili?

Go wild with the toppings.

This Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili just begs for alllllll the toppings. I love to set them out in bowls on the counter and let my family and friends top their bowls as they please. Here some of my favorite chili toppings:

• Finely diced red or sweet onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
• Crumbled cotija cheese
• Sliced jalapeños
• Diced or sliced avocados
• Sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, creme fraiche, or cashew cream sauce (like this one)
• Lime wedges
• Hot sauce
• Corn chips or tortilla chips
• Warm corn tortilla for dipping

You really cannot go wrong with any of these toppings when it comes to a bowl of this thick, rich, soul-satisfying Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili. Give it a try, it just might become your new go-to chili recipe, too!

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Let's Get Cookin'

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

• Author: Jessica Beacom
• Prep Time: 20 mins.
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hrs, 20 mins.
• Yield: Serves 8 1x
• Cuisine: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tsp. cooking fat of choice 
• 1½ lbs. lean ground beef or bison (may substitute ground turkey)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, any color, diced
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, finely diced (seeds and membranes removed for less heat)
• 3 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp. salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ¾ cup beef broth (may substitute water or chicken broth) 
• 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until onions and peppers just start to soften.
2. Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a large spoon to spatula to break up the meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is almost cooked through. 
3. Transfer beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4-5 hours). 
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve with desired toppings.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8th recipe
• Calories: 342
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 979mg
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 11g
• Protein: 26g

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.