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4.9 from 45 votes

Classic Beef and Bean Slow Cooker Chili

Warm up with a comforting bowl of this classic beef and bean slow cooker chili! Perfect for game day or a busy weeknight!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs 15 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 534 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 yellow onions, diced
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 lbs ground beef (I use an 80/20 fat content)
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (or diced)
  • 14 oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 (15oz) cans dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 oz can diced green chiles
TOPPINGS:
  • Diced avocado
  • diced fresh tomatoes
  • sliced green onions
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream
  • minced cilantro
  • tortilla strips or broken tortilla chips
  • diced or sliced jalapeños

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To a large skillet, add oil and heat over MED to MED-HIGH heat.  Add onions and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and very fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add ground beef and cook about 5 minutes, crumbling with a wooden spoon or potato masher, until beef is no longer pink.  Drain any excess fat, and return beef mixture to skillet.
  3. Add salt, chili powder, cumin and black pepper and minced garlic, and cook about a minute.  
  4. Transfer beef mixture to the bottom of slow cooker.  Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans and green chiles, and stir well to combine.  Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours.
  5. Taste chili and season with salt and black pepper if needed.  Serve with any desired toppings and enjoy!

Notes

  • This chili is thick and rich, but if you prefer a less thick version, when adding the cans of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans and green chiles, add about a cup of beef stock/broth.
  • To cook this on the stove top:
  •  
  • Complete steps 1-3, using a dutch oven or stockpot instead of a skillet, then add all remaining ingredients to pot and bring to a boil, then cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes, or until chili has thickened to desired consistency.

Nutrition Information

Calories 534kcal (27%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 534

% Daily Value*

Calories 534kcal 27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.