Description
A hearty, slow-cooked chili that fills your kitchen with warmth and your heart with comfort. This recipe balances tender meat, beans, and a rich tomato base, layered with aromatic spices, and offers endless customization. Perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep for busy weeks, it’s a dish that tastes even better the next day. Serve with your favorite sides, add toppings for extra flair, and enjoy the simplicity of a meal that practically cooks itself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, diced (mix of red and green)
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños, 1 tsp brown sugar, splash of Worcestershire sauce, pinch of cocoa powder
Instructions
- Brown the meat in a skillet until fully cooked.
- Sauté onions and garlic in the same skillet for a few minutes.
- In the crockpot, combine meat, onions, garlic, bell peppers, beans, and tomatoes.
- Add spices, salt, pepper, and optional extras; stir gently.
- Pour in broth and cover. Cook on low 6–8 hours or high 4–6 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasonings 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve with toppings of your choice.
Notes
- For richer flavor, let chili sit overnight in the fridge.
- Customize spice levels to your preference.
- Add vegetables like zucchini or carrots for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Crockpot / Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6–8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg