Description
Hearty slow cooker chili con carne delivers a robust flavor explosion that warms winter evenings. Bold Mexican-inspired spices and tender beef create a comforting meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Liquid and Seasoning Base:
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics and protein in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing onions, garlic, and bell peppers to soften while browning ground beef thoroughly.
- Transfer the caramelized mixture into the slow cooker, ensuring all browned bits are scraped from the skillet.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato paste, creating a rich liquid base for the chili.
- Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly across the mixture, gently stirring to distribute spices throughout.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing flavors to meld and develop for 6-7 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning during the last hour of cooking, ensuring depth and balance of flavors.
- Once meat is tender and sauce has thickened, prepare to serve hot with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Let chili rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to further integrate and flavors to intensify.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding cayenne pepper for extra heat or reducing for milder flavor.
- Enhance protein options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or diced chuck roast for varied textures.
- Boost nutritional value by adding additional vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or corn to increase fiber and micronutrient content.
- Optimize freezing potential by storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months, which makes meal prepping convenient and supports busy lifestyles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on high) or 8 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg