Description

A hearty, slow-cooker chili that is easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a family. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and ground beef or turkey for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio) or ground turkey
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Optional: 1 oz dark chocolate
Optional: 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)

Instructions

Prep ingredients by chopping the onion, mincing the garlic, and draining/rinsing the kidney beans.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until fully browned (5-6 minutes). Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor.
Stir in tomato paste and cook with the meat mixture for 1-2 minutes to toast it.
Transfer the meat mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add diced tomatoes (with juice), kidney beans, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
If the chili is too watery, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last 30 minutes to reduce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Stir in optional dark chocolate or corn before serving.
Serve hot with toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and diced onions.

Notes

Brown the meat first for better flavor. Rinse beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and starch. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Chili tastes better the next day as flavors meld. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 380
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 650
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 10
Protein: 25

Keywords: crockpot chili, slow cooker chili, budget dinner, kid-friendly meals, fall recipes, ground beef chili, easy dinner, meal prep