Hearty Slow Cooker Chili Bliss
A comforting and flavorful slow cooker chili recipe featuring tender ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Dice the onion and red bell pepper, mince the garlic cloves, and drain and rinse the black beans. (About 10 minutes prep)
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7–8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if desired.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Transfer browned beef and sautéed veggies to the slow cooker. Add black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Ladle chili into bowls and top with optional shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or cilantro.
Notes
Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables before slow cooking to develop deeper flavor. Adjust seasoning near the end to avoid over-salting. If chili is too thick, add broth or water; if too thin, cook uncovered to thicken. Slow cookers vary, so check occasionally the first time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 25
Keywords: slow cooker chili, hearty chili, comfort food, easy chili recipe, ground beef chili, slow cooker recipe, family dinner, cozy meal